Scott Smith

Scott Smith is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He is currently a cabinet minister in the New Democratic Party government of Premier Gary Doer.

Smith was born and raised in Brandon, Manitoba, where he still resides. He worked as a firefighter for twenty years before entering provincial politics, and also served on the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, the Brandon Business Improvement Area, and the Brandon Economic Development Area along with other municipal organizations. He was elected to the Brandon city council in 1995, and re-elected in 1998.

Smith was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in the 1999 provincial election for the riding of Brandon West, defeating longtime Progressive Conservative cabinet minister Jim McCrae 4898 votes to 4546. This was only the second victory for an NDP candidate in the riding's history.

Smith was initially appointed as the Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism. He was promoted to cabinet on January 17, 2001, serving as Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs with responsibility for administration of the Liquor Control Act.

After a cabinet shuffle on September 25, 2002, Smith was named Minister of Transportation and Government Services, with responsibility for Emergency Measures and the Manitoba Lotteries Act.

In 2003, Smith supported Bill Blaikie's bid to become leader of the federal New Democratic Party.

Smith was re-elected in the provincial election of 2003, receiving 5210 votes against 2982 for Reg Atkinson, his Progressive Conservative opponent. Following another cabinet shuffle in November 2003, Smith became Minister of Industry, Economic Development and Mines, maintaining responsibility for Emergency Measures and the Manitoba Lotteries Act while also receiving responsibility for the Liquor Control Act again.

Following another cabinet shuffle on October 12, 2004, Smith became Manitoba's Minister of Ingovernmental Affairs and Trade (replacing Rosann Wowchuk, who was serving as Acting Minister following the resignation of MaryAnn Mihychuk). Smith retained his three non-portfolio ministerial responsibilities, and added that of International Relations Coordination.