Smith acclaimed as PC candidate for 2022 election

Todd Smith ‘virtually’ acclaimed

The Bay of Quinte constituency association of Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario acclaimed Todd Smith as its nominee for the 2022 provincial election during a virtual nomination meeting, Saturday.

Smith, who currently serves as Ontario’s Minister of Children, Community and Social Services was elected in 2018 as the first MPP for the redistributed Bay of Quinte riding. He was first elected in 2011 in Prince Edward-Hastings, defeating cabinet minister Leona Dombrowsky and re-elected in 2014.

In each successive election, Smith has seen the number of votes he received increase.

“I’ve been honoured to represent the people of this region in the Ontario Legislature since 2011. Over the past nine years, I have taken the ideas and concerns of local residents to Queen’s Park and we have been able to achieve many great things for Bay of Quinte,” said Smith. “I’m grateful for the increasing support of Bay of Quinte residents in each of the last three elections and I’m humbled to be acclaimed as the Ontario PC candidate for the 2022 provincial election.”

Smith said there is still much work to do at Queen’s Park as the province weathers the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Among highlights so far, he notes he has successfully lobbied for increased funding for local health care and infrastructure renewal, and the reduction of red tape affecting local businesses.

During his time at the Legislature, Smith has represented the region while serving in numerous leadership roles. As an opposition MPP, Smith served as a critic for small business, the Pan-Am and Parapan-Am Games, citizenship and immigration, the Hydro One sale, natural resources and forestry, and energy. In the Ford government, he has served as Government House Leader, Minister of Government and Consumer Services, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade, and in his current portfolio.

Smith, married and father of two, is a former news director at Quinte Broadcasting and a Loyalist College alumnus.