Elizabeth Joan Smith

Elizabeth Joan Smith (born January 5, 1928 in Calgary, Alberta) is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. She served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Liberal from 1985 to 1990, and was a cabinet minister in the government of David Peterson.

Smith was educated at St. Michael's College in the University of Toronto, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree. She was the founding member of Mme. Vanier Children's Services and Diocesan Catholic Social Services in London, Ontario, and served on the board of governors for the University of Western Ontario.

Smith served as an alderman in the City of London. She was first elected to the Ontario legislature in the 1985 provincial election, defeating Progressive Conservative incumbent Gordon Walker by 6,683 votes in the constituency of London South. She was re-elected by an increased majority in the 1987 election, and appointed to cabinet as Solicitor General on September 29, 1987.

Smith was forced to resign her office on June 6, 1989. She had received a telephone call in the middle of the night from a constituent worried about the safety of a missing brother, and telephoned the police to express her concern. The opposition argued that this was an improper act, in that Smith's position as Solicitor-General could result in the case receiving preferential treatment. Thomas Walkom wrote a newspaper column about this matter, entitled "Even Decent Politicians May Need to Resign".

Smith later served as Chief Government Whip. In the 1990 provincial election, she lost to NDP candidate David Winninger by 5,651 votes.

She attempted a comeback in the 1995 election but finished third, behind Winninger and PC candidate Bob Wood.

In 2001, Smith received a Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Western Ontario.