View source for George Smitherman

{{Short description|Canadian politician}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix = [[The Honourable]]
| name             = George Smitherman
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|ECO|size=100%}}
| image         = George Smitherman, Pride barbeque at Fudger House (cropped).jpg
| caption       = Smitherman in 2007
| order         = 8th
| office        = Deputy Premier of Ontario
| term_start    = September 21, 2006
| term_end      = September 8, 2009
| premier       = [[Dalton McGuinty]]
| predecessor   = [[Elizabeth Witmer]] (2003)
| successor     = [[Dwight Duncan]] (2011)
| parliament1   = Ontario Provincial
| term_start1   = June 3, 1999
| term_end1     = January 4, 2010
| predecessor1  = [[Al Leach]]
| successor1    = [[Glen Murray (politician)|Glen Murray]]
| riding1       = [[Toronto Centre (provincial electoral district)|Toronto Centre]]<br /><small>[[Toronto Centre—Rosedale]] (1999-2007)</small>
| party         = [[Ontario Liberal Party|Ontario Liberal]]
| birth_date    = {{birth date and age|1964|2|12}}
| birth_place   = [[Weston, Toronto|Weston]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| residence     = [[Toronto]]
| occupation    = Consultant
| spouse        = {{marriage|Christopher Peloso|2007|2013|end=d.}}
| children      = 2
}}

'''George Smitherman''' {{post-nominals|country=CAN|ECO}} (born February 12, 1964) is a former [[Canadians|Canadian]] politician and broadcaster. He represented the provincial [[electoral district (Canada)|riding]] of [[Toronto Centre (provincial electoral district)|Toronto Centre]] in the [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario]] from 1999 to 2010, when he resigned to contest the [[Mayor of Toronto|mayoralty]] of [[Toronto]] in the [[2010 Toronto municipal election|2010 municipal election]]. Smitherman was the first gay member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) elected in Ontario, and the province's first openly gay cabinet minister.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2010/01/04/smitherman-quits-ont-seat-as-mayoral-hopefuls-register-for-toronto-race/ |title=Smitherman quits Ont. seat as mayoral hopefuls register for Toronto race |newspaper=Canadian Press |date=January 4, 2010|access-date=November 30, 2021}}</ref>

Smitherman was a candidate in the [[2018 Toronto municipal election|2018 municipal election]] running for [[Toronto City Council]] in Ward 13 Toronto Centre which included much of the provincial riding he represented as an MPP. He received 15% of the vote, failing to unseat incumbent [[Kristyn Wong-Tam]] who received 50%.<ref name="wong">{{cite news |title='Incredibly grateful' Kristyn Wong-Tam re-elected in Ward 13, Toronto Centre |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/toronto-election/2018/10/22/easy-win-for-incredibly-grateful-wong-tam-in-ward-13-toronto-centre.html |access-date=October 23, 2018 |work=Toronto Star |date=October 22, 2018}}</ref>
<ref name=mun>[https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2018/05/08/george-smitherman-to-run-for-toronto-city-council.html "George Smitherman to run for Toronto city council"]. ''[[Toronto Star]]'', May 8, 2018.</ref>

Since March 2020 he has been president and CEO of the Cannabis Council of Canada.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cannabis-council.ca/media/george-smitherman-named-president-and-ceo-of-the-cannabis-council-of-canada | title=George Smitherman named President and CEO of the Cannabis Council of… }}</ref>

==Background==
Smitherman was born at [[Humber River Regional Hospital|Humber Memorial Hospital]] (now Humber River Regional Hospital Church site) in [[Weston, Toronto|Weston]], [[Ontario]] and spent much of his early years in [[Etobicoke]] (he briefly lived in [[East York]], [[Ontario]]).<ref name="thestar.com">{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/city-hall/george-smitherman-a-big-bully-the-city-needs/article_399157bc-7f53-52f4-9ee5-98aced387799.html |title=George Smitherman: A big bully the city needs? |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=November 14, 2009 |access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref> He is the son of Irene Margaret (Wood) and Arthur Smitherman,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thebulletin.ca/on-the-passing-of-margaret-smitherman-mother-of-george/|title=On the passing of Margaret Smitherman, mother of George {{!}} The Bulletin|website=thebulletin.ca|access-date=2016-09-21}}</ref> and one of four children. Smitherman spent much time working with his father's business, Smitty's Haulage (later Sure-Way Transport).<ref name="thestar.com"/>

Smitherman admitted a five-year addiction to an [[Recreational drug use|illegal drug]] before running for political office.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20060512/smitherman_drug_addiction_060512/20060512?hub=TorontoHome |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061009060340/http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20060512/smitherman_drug_addiction_060512/20060512?hub=TorontoHome |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 9, 2006 |title=Smitherman comes clean about 'party drug' habit |publisher=CTV News |date=May 12, 2006}}</ref> Smitherman has not indicated the specific drugs he was addicted to during this time, except to say that they were part of the "Toronto party scene", and that "the drugs were not injected".<ref name="canada.com">{{cite news |title=McGuinty 'proud' of Minister who beat drug addiction |newspaper=National Post |date=May 13, 2006}}</ref> He is estranged from his older brother, saying they didn't fall out but just drifted apart. Arthur, who ran for [[2010 Toronto municipal election#Ward 8: York West|city council from Ward 8]], endorsed [[Rob Ford]] for mayor.<ref name=arthur>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/smitherman-s-brother-runs-for-council-backs-ford/article_1178d926-85fe-50b6-82da-32e831fd9d76.html |title=Smitherman's brother runs for council, backs Ford |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=September 8, 2010 |access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref>

On August 5, 2007, Smitherman married his partner, Christopher Peloso, near [[Elliot Lake]], [[Ontario]]. Peloso was a manager with [[Lindt & Sprüngli]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/2007/08/06/smitherman_weds_gay_partner.html |title=Smitherman weds gay partner |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=August 6, 2008}}</ref> On September 26, 2009, the ''[[Toronto Star]]'' reported that Smitherman and Peloso had been approved as adoptive parents by the [[Children's Aid Society (Canada)|Toronto Children's Aid Society]]. They adopted two children named Michael and Kayla. Peloso also had a daughter from a previous relationship.<ref>{{cite news |title=Christopher Peloso, Husband Of George Smitherman, Remembered As Loving Dad |work=The Huffington Post |first=Maria |last=Babbage |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/01/03/christopher-peloso-george-smitherman-funeral_n_4536415.html |date=January 3, 2014}}</ref> Peloso, who was reportedly suffering from clinical depression, was found dead after going missing in December 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/christopher-peloso-husband-of-george-smitherman-found-dead-1.2478753 |title=Christopher Peloso, husband of George Smitherman, found dead |publisher=CBC News |date=December 30, 2013}}</ref>

==Early politics==
Smitherman was active in politics at [[Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute]], where he was the high school's student council president.<ref>{{cite news |title=George Smitherman vs himself |last=Hannon |first=Gerald |publisher=Toronto Life |volume=44 |date=March 2010 |issue=3 |page=38}}</ref> He left high school before graduation. He dabbled in municipal politics in Etobicoke. Smitherman decided against post-secondary education and began his political career. He worked as an organizer for the [[Ontario Liberal Party]] and Premier [[David Peterson]]. He was chief of staff to Ontario cabinet minister [[Hugh O'Neil]] and senior advisor to Ontario federal political ministers [[Herb Gray]] and [[David Collenette]]. He was chief of staff and campaign manager to one-time [[Mayor of Toronto]] [[Barbara Hall (politician)|Barbara Hall]]. He also ran a private consulting business and co-owned a photofinishing shop in downtown Toronto until 1994.{{Cn|date=January 2025}}

==Provincial politics==
In the [[1999 Ontario general election|1999 provincial election]] Smitherman was nominated as the [[Ontario Liberal Party|Liberal Party]] candidate for the riding of [[Toronto Centre (provincial electoral district)|Toronto Centre-Rosedale]]. Former Toronto mayor [[John Sewell]] was running as an independent candidate, and activists accusing him of splitting the left-wing vote with the [[Ontario New Democratic Party|New Democratic Party]]. Although a Progressive Conservative government was re-elected, Smitherman won the seat for the Liberals.<ref name="1999 Election Results">{{cite web|url=http://results.elections.on.ca/results/1999_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=37&rec=0&district=Toronto+Centre-Rosedale&flag=E&layout=G |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421045915/https://results.elections.on.ca/results/1999_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=37&rec=0&district=Toronto+Centre-Rosedale&flag=E&layout=G |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 April 2022 |title=Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=June 3, 1999 }}</ref>

In the legislature, Smitherman was nicknamed "Furious George" for his aggressive and often abrasive manner, and rose to become McGuinty's right-hand man and favourite "attack dog". When asked about this nickname, Smitherman mockingly said that he was an "attack poodle".<ref>{{cite news |title=Health Minister's candour sets an example |last=Campbell |first=Murray |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=May 13, 2006 |page=A8}}</ref> In the 2003 election Smitherman was re-elected and the Liberals won the election.<ref name="2003 Election Results">{{cite web|url=http://results.elections.on.ca/results/2003_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=38&rec=0&district=Toronto+Centre-Rosedale&flag=E&layout=G |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421045916/https://results.elections.on.ca/results/2003_results/valid_votes.jsp?e_code=38&rec=0&district=Toronto+Centre-Rosedale&flag=E&layout=G |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 April 2022 |title=Summary of Valid Ballots by Candidate |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=October 2, 2003 }}</ref> Dalton McGuinty was sworn in as the 24th Premier of Ontario on October 23, 2003. Smitherman was named to cabinet as Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and the Toronto Regional Minister.<ref name="2003McGuintyCab">{{cite news |title=Premier Dalton McGuinty and his 22-member cabinet were sworn in Thursday |publisher=Canadian Press NewsWire |date=October 23, 2003 |page=1}}</ref> In 2006, he was additionally named [[Deputy Premier of Ontario]].

Under Smitherman's leadership, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care launched the Wait Times Strategy in 2004. The new health care model was designed to reduce wait times for various procedures such as hip and knee replacement, MRIs and CT scans. The Wait Times Strategy also focused on shrinking wait times for cancer, cardiac and cataracts surgeries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.ontario.ca/mohltc/en/2010/06/ontarios-wait-time-strategy.html |title=Ontario's Wait Time Strategy |publisher=News.ontario.ca |date=June 17, 2010}}</ref>

Smitherman also launched the Ministry's "Aging at Home" strategy in 2007. The initiative focused on delivering enhanced community health care services and enabling seniors to live independent, healthy lives at home through home care and other community-based services.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/media/news_releases/archives/nr_07/aug/agingathome_bg_12_20070728.pdf |title=Aging At Home |date=July 28, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013083845/http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/media/news_releases/archives/nr_07/aug/agingathome_bg_12_20070728.pdf |archive-date=October 13, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the [[2007 Ontario general election|2007 election]], Smitherman was re-elected as the MPP for Toronto Centre and continued in his roles as Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Deputy Premier and Toronto Regional Minister.<ref name="2007 Election Results">{{cite web |url=http://elections.on.ca/NR/rdonlyres/AB409CCD-84F3-46FA-B3BD-39AB659EFC2D/0/SummaryofValidBallotsCastforEachCandidate.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007160233/http://www.elections.on.ca/NR/rdonlyres/AB409CCD-84F3-46FA-B3BD-39AB659EFC2D/0/SummaryofValidBallotsCastforEachCandidate.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 7, 2009 |title=Summary of Valid Ballots Cast for Each Candidate |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=October 10, 2007 |page=16 (xxv) }}</ref><ref name="McGuinty2007Cab">{{cite news |title=Premier goes for new blood; Expanded 28-member cabinet has eight ministers from Toronto, three from 905 area |last1=Ferguson |first1=Rob |last2=Benzie |first2=Robert |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=October 31, 2007 |page=A13}}</ref>

However, Smitherman was criticized for ignoring calls for an independent investigation into [[Clostridium difficile colitis|''C. difficile'']] deaths in hospitals, and he was unable improve the lives of nursing home residents who were often forced to sit in soiled diapers for hours on end.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nursing homes failing the grade |first=Chinta |last=Puxley |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=July 3, 2008 |page=A9}}</ref> Smitherman was also criticized for failures related to the implementation of an electronic health records system called [[EHealth Ontario|eHealth]] that partly occurred during his tenure as Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. eHealth was under criticism for awarding no-bid contracts, as well as the $647 million spent on its predecessor, Smart Systems for Health Agency, which was shut down and restarted as eHealth. Smitherman's successor David Caplan resigned as Minister in 2009 to take responsibility for mistakes that were made.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 7, 2009 |title=Opposition calls for Smitherman's head |publisher=CBC News}}</ref>

[[File:Toronto Pride - 2008 - IMG 3156.jpg|thumb|Smitherman with [[Bob Rae]] at the 2008 [[Pride Toronto]] parade]]
On June 20, 2008, Smitherman was shuffled to the new Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, a merger of two formerly separate government departments.<ref name="McGuinty2008Cab">{{cite news |title=The new-look Ontario cabinet |newspaper=The Hamilton Spectator |date=September 19, 2008 |page=A9}}</ref> McGuinty dismissed suggestions that he combined the energy and infrastructure portfolios to satisfy Smitherman, saying, "I think it's a great fit, it's a natural fit, and it's an essential part of our plan to grow this economy."

As the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Smitherman was responsible for Ontario's Green Energy Act, which was passed in September 2009. The Act encourages investment in green energy production by providing businesses the ability to sell energy produced from renewable sources to the province's electricity grid through a Feed-in-Tariff program.<ref>{{cite news |title=Green goals, bigger bills: How Ontario's Green Energy Act got politically compromised - and led to soaring electricity costs |last=Lilley |first=Wayne |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=November 27, 2010 |page=IN1}}</ref> The Green Energy Act has resulted in a series of record-breaking corporate investments in wind and solar energy worth billions of dollars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/3109/ |title=Ontario green energy policy triggers record-breaking private investment |publisher=Energy Efficiency News |access-date=2013-12-31}}</ref>

The [[World Wind Energy Association]] chose Smitherman as the recipient of their annual World Wind Energy Award in 2009 for his outstanding achievements in making Ontario the leading wind energy jurisdiction in North America.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwindea.org/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=246&Itemid=68 |title=World Wind Energy Award 2009 goes to George Smitherman, Energy Minister of Ontario |publisher=Wwindea.org |date=2011-06-29 |access-date=2013-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227192754/http://www.wwindea.org/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=246&Itemid=68 |archive-date=2012-02-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Cabinet positions===
{{s-start}}
{{Canadian cabinet member navigational box header |ministry=Dalton_McGuinty}}
{{ministry box cabinet posts
| post3preceded = [[Gerry Phillips]] (Energy)<br />[[David Caplan]] (Infrastructure)
| post3         = [[Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (Ontario)|Minister of Energy and Infrastructure]]
| post3years    = 2008–2009
| post3note     = new merged ministry
| post3followed = [[Gerry Phillips]]
| post1preceded = [[Tony Clement]]
| post1         = [[Minister of Health and Long-Term Care (Ontario)|Minister of Health and Long-Term Care]]
| post1years    = 2003–2008
| post1note     =
| post1followed = [[David Caplan]]
| post2preceded = [[Elizabeth Witmer]]
| post2         = [[Deputy Premier of Ontario]]
| post2years    = 2006–2009
| post2note     =
| post2followed = [[Dwight Duncan]]
}}
{{s-end}}

==Toronto mayoral election==
{{main|2010 Toronto mayoral election}}
On September 9, 2009, Smitherman strongly suggested that he would be running for mayor of Toronto in the upcoming [[2010 Toronto municipal election|2010 mayoral election]]. He emphasized that any official announcements would not come before "the unofficial campaign season municipally begins in the new year".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/george-smitherman-guns-for-david-miller/article_f5218b65-7067-559e-af72-887ae67ba846.html |title=George Smitherman guns for David Miller |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=September 9, 2009 |access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref>

On November 8, Smitherman announced his resignation from the provincial cabinet in order to run for mayor.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/smitherman-announces-toronto-mayoral-bid-1.452092 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020213114/http://www.ctvnews.ca/smitherman-announces-toronto-mayoral-bid-1.452092 |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 October 2012 |title=Smitherman announces Toronto mayoral bid |publisher=CTV News |date=November 8, 2009 |access-date=May 25, 2018}}</ref> He remained in the legislature as a backbench MPP until January 4, 2010.

In April 2010, Smitherman's campaign manager, Jeff Bangs, resigned and was replaced by Bruce Davis, chair of the Toronto District School Board and a veteran of local politics.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/bruce-davis-to-lead-smithermans-campaign-for-toronto-mayor/article1379113/ |title=Bruce Davis to lead Smitherman's campaign for Toronto mayor |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=April 13, 2010|access-date=November 30, 2021}}.</ref><ref name="Lorinc">{{cite news |first=John |last=Lorinc |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/how-george-smithermans-dead-end-run-for-toronto-mayor-went-wrong/article4330533/ |title=How George Smitherman's dead-end run for Toronto mayor went wrong |newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=October 28, 2010 |access-date=November 30, 2021}}</ref>

On August 21, 2010, the [[Ontario Liberal Party]] began distributing pamphlets, listing Smitherman's provincial record and endorsements, to 75,000 identified Liberal voters. This partisan endorsement led to speculation that Smitherman's political fortunes were connected with those of the Liberal provincial government. Several other mayoral candidates criticized Premier McGuinty and the provincial Liberals for jumping into the race.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/city-hall/liberals-scramble-to-help-george-smitherman-stop-rob-ford/article_9208cb37-5357-5c25-b4bf-9fcd7c10992a.html |title=Liberals scramble to help George Smitherman stop Rob Ford |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=August 21, 2010 |access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/08/23/15116606.html |title=Endorsements 'kiss of death' for Smitherman |publisher=Toronto Sun |date=August 23, 2010 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824081853/http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/08/23/15116606.html |archivedate=August 24, 2010}}</ref>

Smitherman admitted telling a volunteer working for rival [[Rocco Rossi]] to "screw off". Smitherman claims he was set up by Rossi's campaign and he said the young woman tried to hand him a paper questioning his work with youth before a debate.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/city-hall/screw-off-smitherman-tells-volunteer-from-rival-camp/article_be6d070d-aa55-5d37-a819-628858a22881.html |title=Screw off, Smitherman tells volunteer from rival camp |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=September 3, 2010 |access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref>

Smitherman's campaign has been criticized for swaying first to the left and then the right. After Labour Day, he made fiscal promises to freeze property taxes for a year and cut down on reckless spending.<ref name="surge">{{cite news |url=https://nationalpost.com/posted-toronto/ford-surges-ahead-at-45-8-support-new-poll-shows |title=Ford surges ahead at 45.8% support, new poll shows |newspaper=National Post |date=September 19, 2010 |access-date=November 30, 2021}}</ref>

Following the results of a Nanos Research poll, released on September 19, Smitherman made the following statement "The polling that we've seen tells us that if an election was held now, [[Rob Ford]] would be our mayor," Smitherman said. "That obviously provokes a certain distaste and reinforces for us that we need to work harder for the values of our city." The poll put Ford's level of support at 45.8% among decided voters. Smitherman held 21.3%, Joe Pantalone 16.8%, Rocco Rossi stood at 9.7% and Sarah Thomson at 6.4%.<ref name="surge"/> Smitherman vowed to lead the "anybody-but-Ford" movement and encouraged strategic voting.<ref>{{cite news |author=Marcus Gee |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/smitherman-vows-to-lead-anybody-but-ford-charge-in-toronto-mayoral-race/article1380243/ |title=Smitherman vows to lead "anybody-but-Ford" charge in Toronto mayoral race |newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=September 23, 2021 |access-date=November 30, 2021}}</ref>

In October, Smitherman picked up support. Sarah Thomson dropped out and endorsed Smitherman. Smitherman and his staff were also pressing some of [[Rocco Rossi]]’s key supporters to switch; Rossi soon dropped out due to being unable to improve poll numbers but did not endorse any other candidates. Former Toronto (pre-amalgamation) mayors [[David Crombie]] and [[Art Eggleton]] also endorsed Smitherman. Several left-leaning councilors who were normally allies of Joe Pantalone, [[Joe Mihevc]], [[Adam Vaughan]], and [[Pam McConnell]], decided to back Smitherman's campaign instead. Smitherman urged [[strategic voting]] and repeatedly asserted, "a vote for Joe Pantalone is a vote for Rob Ford."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/vote-for-pantalone-a-vote-for-rob-ford-smitherman-says/article_ea51e0b6-2a26-5fbf-8556-13323c9440d2.html |title=Vote for Pantalone "a vote for Rob Ford", Smitherman says |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=October 6, 2010 |access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref> Smitherman also left a [[voice-mail]] for outgoing Mayor David Miller, hoping that Miller would persuade Pantalone to bow out, but Miller never returned the call (back in 2003, [[Barbara Hall (politician)|Barbara Hall]]'s campaign used back-channel efforts to discourage Miller's run for mayor) and gave a public endorsement of Pantalone instead.<ref name="Lorinc"/> Following the results of the October&nbsp;18 [[Angus Reid]] Public Opinion Poll, Smitherman and Ford were practically tied for first place, with Ford at 41% and Smitherman at 40%.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/city-hall/ford-smitherman-now-tied-with-days-until-election-poll-finds/article_53c1e615-605e-5253-a322-89ec4ca83f22.html |title=Ford, Smitherman now tied with days until election, poll finds |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=October 18, 2010 |access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref>

On [[2010 Toronto mayoral election|election day]], Smitherman finished second with 35.6% of the vote compared to Ford who won 47.1%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://election.toronto.ca/epr/eprDetail.do?000 |publisher=The City of Toronto |title=Mayor - City of Toronto |date=October 26, 2010 |access-date=January 5, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031204606/http://election.toronto.ca/epr/eprDetail.do?000 |archive-date=October 31, 2010 }}</ref>

==Post-political career==
Smitherman joined radio station CFRB on an occasional basis in January 2011.<ref name=cfrb>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/george-smitherman-to-host-radio-show/article_6c3cca8c-862a-5130-9eed-421ee939ba5e.html |title=George Smitherman to host radio show |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=January 20, 2011 |access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref> He turned down an invitation from Premier McGuinty to run in the [[2011 Ontario general election|2011 provincial election]] but said he intended to run for office again at some point in the future.<ref name=cfrb/>

He was the chairman and principal at the consulting firm he founded, G & G Global Solutions and also a zone advisor to [[Toronto Metropolitan University|Ryerson University]]'s Digital Media Zone.

He also serves on the boards of medical marijuana producer THC Meds Ontario Inc.,  drone maker Alta Vista Ventures and mining company Ceylon Graphite.<ref name=comeback/>

Smitherman considered returning to politics and seeking the [[Liberal Party of Canada]]'s nomination for a [[By-elections to the 41st Canadian Parliament#Toronto Centre|federal by-election]] in [[Toronto Centre (federal electoral district)|Toronto Centre]] but announced on July 29, 2013, "I won't be a candidate now. I won't be contesting a riding in the 2015 general election or any other," as he prefers to prioritize "fun, family and finances".<ref>{{cite news |title=Smitherman bows out of race for Liberal nod in Toronto Centre |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/smitherman-bows-out-of-race-for-liberal-nod-in-toronto-centre/article13487909/ |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=July 29, 2013}}</ref>

Smitherman wrote a memoir called ''Unconventional Candour'', published in 2019 by [[Dundurn Press]].

Smitherman announced in February 2017 that he intended to run for a seat on [[Toronto City Council]] for one of the [[Ward 13 Toronto Centre|Toronto Centre]] wards in the [[2018 Toronto municipal election|2018 municipal election]].<ref name=comeback>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2017/02/27/george-smitherman-is-making-a-comeback.html| title=George Smitherman is making a comeback| first=David| last=Rider| date=February 27, 2017| publisher=[[Toronto Star]]}}</ref> He said if he ran, he would divest himself of any current business interests that may pose a conflict.<ref name=comeback2>{{cite news|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/3276152/george-smitherman-sets-sights-on-toronto-city-council-seat-in-2018-but-no-mayoral-run/| title=George Smitherman sets sights on Toronto city council seat in 2018| date=February 27, 2017| publisher=Global News|access-date= August 3, 2017}}</ref> In May 2018, he confirmed that he would be running in Ward 23.<ref name=mun/>

Smitherman had also expressed interest in returning to provincial politics and reclaiming his former riding of Toronto Centre in the [[2018 Ontario general election|2018 provincial election]], which was vacant following the resignation of [[Glen Murray (politician)|Glen Murray]], but faced resistance from the leadership of the Liberal Party which considered him an unsuitable candidate for the party's nomination  due to his association with the [[eHealth]] scandal as well as his reputation for being difficult and temperamental, and threatened to disqualify his candidacy.<ref>[[Steve Paikin]], [https://tvo.org/blog/current-affairs/ontario-liberals-wrestle-with-the-principle-of-local-democracy "Ontario Liberals wrestle with the principle of local democracy"]. [[TVOntario]], October 30, 2017.</ref> In the face of this opposition, Smitherman decided not to pursue the Liberal nomination and instead focus on his municipal campaign.<ref>[https://www.thestar.com/opinion/columnists/2017/11/02/the-rise-and-fall-of-george-smitherman-hepburn.html "The rise and fall of George Smitherman: Hepburn"]. ''[[Toronto Star]]'', November 2, 2017.</ref>

He originally ran for an open seat but after Ontario Premier [[Doug Ford]]'s government reduced the number of seats on Toronto City Council by half, Smitherman opted to run in Toronto Centre Ward 13 against incumbent councillors [[Kristyn Wong-Tam]] and [[Lucy Troisi]] for the new ward's single seat on council. He came in second, winning 15% of the vote to Wong-Tam's 50%.<ref name="wong"/>

==Electoral record==
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=January 2025}}
{|class="wikitable"
|-
|colspan="3" align="center"|'''[[2018 Toronto municipal election]] — Ward 13, Toronto Centre'''
|-
! scope="col" style="background-color:#bfdeff;width:200px;text-align:left;padding-left:5px;"| Candidate
! scope="col" style="background-color:#bfdeff;width:88px;" | Votes
! scope="col" style="background-color:#bfdeff;width:95px;" | Percentage
|-
|valign="top"|'''(x)[[Kristyn Wong-Tam]]'''
|valign="top" align="right"|'''15,706'''
|valign="top" align="right"|'''50.26%'''
|-
|valign="top"|George Smitherman
|valign="top" align="right"|4,734
|valign="top" align="right"|15.15%
|-
|valign="top"|(x)[[Lucy Troisi]]
|valign="top" align="right"|2,698
|valign="top" align="right"|8.63%
|-
|valign="top"|Khuram Aftab
|valign="top" align="right"|1,794
|valign="top" align="right"|5.74%
|-
|valign="top"|Walied Khogali Ali
|valign="top" align="right"|1,408
|valign="top" align="right"|4.51%
|-
|valign="top"|Ryan Lester
|valign="top" align="right"|968
|valign="top" align="right"|3.10%
|-
|valign="top"|Tim Gordanier
|valign="top" align="right"|734
|valign="top" align="right"|2.35%
|-
|valign="top"|Jon Callegher
|valign="top" align="right"|713
|valign="top" align="right"|2.28%
|-
|valign="top"|John Jeffery
|valign="top" align="right"|530
|valign="top" align="right"|1.70%
|-
|valign="top"|Catherina Perez
|valign="top" align="right"|511
|valign="top" align="right"|1.64%
|-
|valign="top"|Megann Willson
|valign="top" align="right"|411
|valign="top" align="right"|1.32%
|-
|valign="top"|Barbara Lavoie
|valign="top" align="right"|176
|valign="top" align="right"|0.56%
|-
|valign="top"|Jordan Stone
|valign="top" align="right"|161
|valign="top" align="right"|0.52%
|-

|valign="top"|Richard Forget 
|valign="top" align="right"|150
|valign="top" align="right"|0.48%
|-

|valign="top"|Jonathan Heath
|valign="top" align="right"|144
|valign="top" align="right"|0.46%
|-
|valign="top"|Kyle  McNally
|valign="top" align="right"|138
|valign="top" align="right"|0.44%
|-
|valign="top"|Darren Abramson
|valign="top" align="right"|108
|valign="top" align="right"|0.35%
|-
|valign="top"|Gladys Larbie
|valign="top" align="right"|101
|valign="top" align="right"|0.32%
|-
|valign="top"|Rob Wolvin
|valign="top" align="right"|64
|valign="top" align="right"|0.20%
|-
|}

{|class="wikitable"
|-
|colspan="3" align="center"|'''[[2010 Toronto mayoral election]]'''
|- style="background:#e9e9e9;"
!width=50%|Candidate
!width=25%|Number of votes
!width=25%|% of popular vote
|-
|'''[[Rob Ford]]''' ||380,201 || 47.098%
|-
|George Smitherman ||287,393 ||35.602%
|-
|[[Joe Pantalone]] ||94,840 || 11.749%
|-
|[[Rocco Rossi]] ||4,973 || 0.616%
|-
|Others ||39,842 || 4.936%
|-
|'''Total''' ||'''807,249''' || '''100%'''
|}

{{Canadian election result/top|ON|1999|percent=yes}}
{{CANelec|ON|Liberal|George Smitherman|17,756|38.9}}
{{CANelec|ON|Progressive Conservatives|[[Durhane Wong-Rieger]]|13,640|29.88}}
{{CANelec|ON|Independent|[[John Sewell]]|8,822|19.33}}
{{CANelec|ON|NDP|Helen Breslauer|4,019|8.8}}
{{CANelec |ON |Green |Joseph Cohen |392 |0.86}}
{{CANelec|ON|Freedom|[[Paul McKeever (politician)|Paul McKeever]]|344|0.75}}
{{CANelec|ON|Independent|Mike Ryner|236|0.52}}
{{CANelec|ON|FCP|[[Bill Whatcott]]|232|0.51}}
{{CANelec|ON|Natural Law|Ron Parker|205|0.45}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=[[2003 Ontario general election]]}}
{{CANelec|ON|Liberal|George Smitherman|23,872|52.78|13.88}}
{{CANelec|ON|Progressive Conservatives|John Adams|9,968|22.04|−7.84}}
{{CANelec|ON|NDP|Gene Lara|9,112|20.14|11.34}}
{{CANelec |ON |Green |Gabriel Draven |1,739|3.84 |2.98}}
{{CANelec|ON|Independent|Philip Fernandez|324|0.72}}
{{CANelec|ON|Freedom|Silvio Ursomarzo|218|0.48|−0.27}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Ontario provincial election, 2007/Toronto Centre}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{Ontario MPP biography|id=george-smitherman|old_id=88|name=George Smitherman}}
* {{Official website|http://www.georgesmitherman.ca}}

{{McGuinty Ministry}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smitherman, George}}
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