Graydon Smith MPP is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 2022 provincial election. He represents the riding of Parry Sound—Muskoka as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario.[1]
Graydon Smith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister of Natural Resources[a] | |
| Assumed office June 24, 2022 | |
| Premier | Doug Ford |
| Preceded by | Greg Rickford |
| Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament for Parry Sound—Muskoka | |
| Assumed office June 2, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Norm Miller |
| Mayor of Bracebridge | |
| In office circa. 2010 – June 2, 2022 | |
| Succeeded by | Rick Maloney |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
Smith was formerly the mayor of Bracebridge, Ontario.
On June 24, 2022, Smith was appointed Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry by Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell.[2]
On June 6, 2024, it was announced that Smith remained the Minister of Natural Resources but no longer had responsibility for forestry.[3]
Background
editSmith grew up in Port Sydney, Ontario, where his family owned and operated a local business. He along with his father and brother were members of the Kinsmen Club of Bracebridge for many years. Smith was inspired to enter politics through his time with the Kinsmen Club and a Bracebridge councillor who encouraged him to run in 2006.
Smith is married with two children and lives in Bracebridge, Ontario.
Political Career (2006 - present)
editSmith began his political career in Bracebridge, Ontario as a District of Muskoka councillor in 2006. After one term as councillor, the Bracebridge mayor at the time and Smith’s mentor, Don Coates decided to retire and encouraged Smith to run for the mayorship in 2010. He won the seat and served as mayor for 12 years.
During his time as mayor, he became a board of director with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario in 2014 and was president 2021. Smith was also a board of director with the Ontario Small Urban Municipalities.
In 2022, former Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller announced he was retiring and would not be seeking re-election paving the way for Smith to run as the Progressive Conservative candidate. On June 2, 2022 Smith won the provincial election with about 45%[4] of the votes. On June 24, Smith was appointed Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.
Election results
edit| 2022 Ontario general election: Parry Sound—Muskoka | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures | |||
| Progressive Conservative | Graydon Smith | 20,216 | 45.37 | −2.70 | $85,536 | |||
| Green | Matt Richter | 18,102 | 40.63 | +20.61 | $95,858 | |||
| New Democratic | Erin Horvath | 3,427 | 7.69 | −14.34 | $14,568 | |||
| Ontario Party | Andrew John Cocks | 1,649 | 3.70 | $8,029 | ||||
| New Blue | Doug Maynard | 883 | 1.98 | $2,616 | ||||
| Independent | Daniel Predie Jr. | 155 | 0.35 | $0 | ||||
| Populist | Brad Waddell | 126 | 0.28 | $3,142 | ||||
| Total valid votes/expense limit | 44,558 | 99.58 | +0.29 | $117,992 | ||||
| Total rejected, unmarked, and declined ballots | 187 | 0.42 | -0.29 | |||||
| Turnout | 44,745 | 53.09 | -6.13 | |||||
| Eligible voters | 82,580 | |||||||
| Progressive Conservative hold | Swing | −11.65 | ||||||
Source(s)
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Notes
edit- ^ Known as Minister of Natural Resources & Forestry until 2024, succeeded by Nolan Quinn as Associate Minister Forestry
References
edit- ^ "PC Graydon Smith wins in Parry Sound—Muskoka". Toronto Star. June 2, 2022. ISSN 0319-0781.
- ^ "Doug Ford appoints Sylvia Jones new health minister, gives nephew spot in new PC cabinet". CBC.ca. June 24, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
- ^ Stone, Laura; Gray, Jeff (June 6, 2024). "Premier Doug Ford unveils cabinet shuffle as Ontario legislature breaks until October". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
- ^ "EFRS". results.elections.on.ca. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
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