Smith was educated at St. Michael's College in the University of Toronto, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy.
Her husband Don Smith was the co-founder of EllisDon, an employee-owned construction services company that was incorporated in 1951 in London, Ontario.
[4] She was re-elected by an increased majority in the 1987 election,[5] and appointed to cabinet as Solicitor General on September 29, 1987.
The opposition argued that this was an improper act, in that Smith's position as Solicitor-General could result in the case receiving preferential treatment.
[1] Thomas Walkom wrote a newspaper column about this matter, entitled "Even decent politicians may need to resign".