Larry Smith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader of the Opposition in the Senate | |
| In office April 1, 2017 – November 5, 2019 | |
| Prime Minister | Justin Trudeau |
| Preceded by | Claude Carignan |
| Succeeded by | Don Plett |
| Senator fromQuebec (Saurel) | |
| Assumed office May 25, 2011 | |
| Nominated by | Stephen Harper |
| Appointed by | David Johnston |
| Preceded by | Himself |
| In office December 18, 2010 – March 25, 2011 | |
| Nominated by | Stephen Harper |
| Appointed by | David Johnston |
| Preceded by | Jean Lapointe |
| Succeeded by | Himself |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1951-04-28)April 28, 1951 (age 74) Hudson, Quebec, Canada |
| Political party | Conservative (2004–2022, 2025–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Canadian Senators Group (2022–2025) |
| Spouse | Leesa[1] |
| Children | Brad, Wes, Ashley[1] |
| Residence(s) | Hudson, Quebec, Canada[1] |
| Alma mater | Bishop's University(B.A.) McGill University(B.C.L.) |
| Profession | Athlete, businessman |
| Football career | |
| Profile | |
| Position | Running back |
| Career information | |
| College | Bishop's |
| CFL draft | 1972: 1st round, 1st overall pick |
| Career history | |
| 1972–1980 | Montreal Alouettes |
| Awards and highlights | |
Canadian Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2023) | |
Larry W. Smith,CQ (born April 28, 1951) is a Canadianathlete, businessperson and member of theSenate of Canada. He served asLeader of the Opposition in the Senate from April 2017 until November 2019.
Smith graduated fromBishop's University with a bachelor's degree in economics. He was the first overall selection of the1972 CFL draft and went on to play nine seasons in theCanadian Football League, all of them as a running back with theMontreal Alouettes. Smith earned aBachelor of Civil Law fromMcGill University in 1976, having undertaken his studies for law while playing pro football.
Smith became the Canadian Football League'seighth commissioner in 1992 and oversaw the league's ill-fated attempt toexpand to the United States.[2] Smith then oversaw the re-location of theBaltimore Stallions toMontreal, where they became theMontreal Alouettes for the CFL's 1996 season. After resigning as commissioner in 1997, Smith served as president of the Alouettes until 2001 and again from 2004 to 2010.
Smith was announced as a member of theCanadian Football Hall of Fame 2023 class on March 16, 2023, in the builder's category.[3]
Smith was president and publisher of theMontreal Gazette newspaper from 2002 to 2004. He has also held positions with Industrial Life Technical Services, John Labatt, Ltd., and Ogilvie Mills, Ltd.
Smith consideredrunning for leader of the then newConservative Party of Canada in 2004 and was widely reported by Canadian press at the time to be on the verge of entering the race before finally declaring he would not be a candidate.[4]
On December 18, 2010, Smith was summoned to theCanadian Senate on the advice of Prime MinisterStephen Harper and sat as a Conservative. Following his appointment to the Senate, Smith announced his intention to seek the nomination to run as a Conservative candidate inLac-Saint-Louis in thenext federal election.[5] When asked in a television interview why he accepted the appointment while intending to run for aCommons seat, Smith complained that he was taking a "dramatic, catastrophic" pay cut by serving as a senator,[6] a remark for which Smith has been criticized.[7]
Smith was defeated in his attempt to enter Parliament, placing third behind the incumbent Liberal MP and the NDP candidate, and it was announced on May 18, 2011, he would be re-appointed to the Senate.
The Conservative Senate Caucus elected Smith its leader on March 28, 2017; Smith defeated SenatorsLinda Frum andStephen Greene for the position, and took office on April 1, 2017.[8] He served until November 5, 2019, when he was succeeded byDon Plett.[9]
On August 4, 2022, Smith left the Conservative caucus to join theCanadian Senators Group. Smith clarified that he would remain a member of the Conservative Party.[10]
On June 12, 2025, it was announced byLeo Housakos, the leader of the opposition in the Senate, that Smith had rejoined the Senate Conservative Caucus.[11]
Smith has two sons and a daughter. One of his sons,Bradley, is a former receiver for theToronto Argonauts and theEdmonton Eskimos, and the firstBachelor Canada, while his daughter, Ashley, was formerly married to CFLplacekicker andpunterDamon Duval.[12]