- Danielle Smith
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This article is about the Canadian businesswoman and politician. For the Californian martial artist, see Danielle Smith (martial artist).
Danielle Smith 
Leader of the Wildrose Party Incumbent Assumed office
October 17, 2009Preceded by Paul Hinman Personal details Born April 1, 1971
Calgary, AlbertaNationality Canadian Political party Wildrose Party Spouse(s) David Moretta Alma mater University of Calgary Occupation business lobbyist and property rights advocate Profession journalist, broadcaster Website Danielle Smith Danielle M. Smith (born April 1, 1971) is an Alberta journalist, broadcaster, business lobbyist and property rights advocate. Until recently[when?] she was the Alberta Director for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. On October 17, 2009, Smith was elected leader of the Wildrose Alliance Party.[1]
She was named one of Calgary's "Top 40 Under 40" in 2004.[2]
Contents
Family
Smith was born in Calgary and is the second of five children. Both parents were working class, but earned business degrees and later worked in the oil patch. Of mainly English and Irish ancestry, Smith is also part Ukrainian on her father's side, and Cherokee on her mother's.[citation needed] Previously married to her college sweetheart, Sean McKinsley, in 2006 Smith wed her second husband, David Moretta, managing editor for Global TV Calgary.
Education
Smith holds a B.A. in English and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Calgary. Her education in public policy began with a one-year internship with the Canadian think-tank, the Fraser Institute.
Career
Summer 2010 promotional signs
Smith's political life began in 1998 when she was elected to the Board of Trustees for the Calgary Board of Education. In 1999, Learning Minister Lyle Oberg dismissed the entire Board after Chair Teresa Woo-Paw described the board as "completely dysfunctional".[3] Included on that board was Jennifer Pollock, currently the Federal Liberal Candidate in Calgary West.[4] None of the trustees elected 1998 ran for re-election in 1999.
Subsequently, Smith pursued work as an advocate for ranchers, farmers and other rural land owners with the Alberta Property Rights Initiative and the Canadian Property Rights Research Institute.
Smith later joined the Calgary Herald as a regular columnist and editorial board member—one of the youngest women ever to do so in a major Canadian market.
In September 2006, she co-hosted the Calgary Congress, a national assembly of citizens and economic and constitutional specialists to consider basic federal reforms for Canada.[5]
Her work in print journalism led to an opportunity to succeed Charles Adler as host of the national current affairs program Global Sunday. Smith was also host of two talk radio programs focused on health policy and property rights.
Smith was hired by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business in 2006, becoming provincial director for Alberta.
Following party leader Paul Hinman's resignation as leader of the Wildrose Alliance Party, Smith was elected as party leader on October 17, 2009[1] by a 3-to-1 margin.
Politically she has been described as "a moderate libertarian" and "a libertarian and social moderate." She identifies herself as a conservative but qualified that saying she was a "libertarian and pro-choice."
References
- ^ a b "Smith elected Wildrose Party leader". CBC News. 2009-10-17. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/10/17/edmonton-wildrose-alliance-leader.html. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
- ^ http://www.avenuecalgary.com/articles/page/item/top-40-under-40-alumni
- ^ "daveberta.ca: smith v. board of education (part 4).". http://daveberta.blogspot.com/2009/11/smith-v-board-of-education-part-4.html. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
- ^ "Jennifer Pollock for Calgary West". http://www.jenniferpollock.ca/pollock.html. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
- ^ "The Calgary Congress 2006". Citizens Centre for Freedom and Democracy. http://www.ccfd.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=230&Itemid=230. Retrieved August 10, 2009.
External links
Leaders of the Wildrose Party and its antecedents Alberta Alliance Party (2002–2008) Wildrose Party (2008–present) - Hinman
- Smith
Leadership elections - 2005
- 2009
Categories:- 1971 births
- Alberta school board trustees
- Canadian columnists
- Canadian libertarians
- Canadian television journalists
- Female Canadian political party leaders
- Living people
- People from Calgary
- University of Calgary alumni
- Women in Alberta politics
- Canadian people of Ukrainian descent
- Wildrose Party politicians
- Canadian women journalists
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