Arthur Leslie "Bud" Smith (June 14, 1919 – November 11, 2002) was a Canadian politician in the province of Saskatchewan. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for the constituency of Moose Jaw South in the 1982 general election, which resulted in a Progressive Conservative government under Premier Grant Devine.

Personal life

Born in Cardross, Saskatchewan, Smith farmed in the Cardross area for thirty-two years. He then worked as a carpenter, primarily in Moose Jaw.^[1] He was married three times, being predeceased by his first two wives.^[2]

Political career

Smith was long active in the Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan.^[2] He stood for election four times, in the general elections of 1975, 1978, 1982 and 1986. He was defeated in the 1975 and 1978 elections, but elected in the Progressive Conservative landslide of 1982.^[3] He was defeated by Lorne Calvert of the New Democratic Party in the 1986 election and retired from provincial politics.^[4]

During his term, he was considered a good constituency representative, to the point that Calvert, who defeated him in the 1986 election, was not sure if Calvert's own mother voted for Smith or for him.^[1] Smith's policy interests were improvements in health and social services. He was the Deputy Government Whip.^[1]

Electoral history

Smith stood for election four times in the riding of Moose Jaw South. He was defeated in 1975 and 1978, but elected in 1982. He served one term, being defeated in 1986.

1975 Provincial election: Moose Jaw South

General Election, June 11, 1975: Moose Jaw South

Party		Candidate	Popular Vote	%
	New Democratic Party	X Gordon Snyder	3,950	53.9%
	Progressive Conservative	Arthur Leslie "Bud" Smith	1,857	25.3%
	Liberal	Faye Gordon	1,521	20.8%
Total			7,328	100.0%
Source: Saskatchewan Archives - Election Results by Electoral Division - Moose Jaw South

Elected.
X Incumbent.

1978 Provincial election: Moose Jaw South

General Election, October 18, 1978: Moose Jaw South

Party		Candidate	Popular Vote	%
	New Democratic Party	X Gordon Snyder	4,512	59.1%
	Progressive Conservative	Arthur Leslie "Bud" Smith	2,408	31.5%
	Liberal	Terry W. Ocrane	716	9.4%
Total			7,636	100.0%
Source: Saskatchewan Archives - Election Results by Electoral Division - Moose Jaw South

Elected.
X Incumbent.

1982 Provincial election: Moose Jaw South

General Election, April 26, 1982: Moose Jaw South

Party		Candidate	Popular Vote	%
	Progressive Conservative	Arthur Leslie "Bud" Smith	4,110	47.7%
	New Democratic Party	X Gordon Snyder	3,908	45.3%
	Liberal	Bob Halter	328	3.8%
	Western Canada Concept	J.R. (Jack) Ashton	275	3.2%
Total			8,621	100.0%
Source: Saskatchewan Archives - Election Results by Electoral Division - Moose Jaw South

Elected.
X Incumbent.

1986 Provincial election: Moose Jaw South

General Election, October 20, 1986: Moose Jaw South

Party		Candidate	Popular Vote	%
	New Democratic Party	Lorne Calvert	4,959	58.5%
	Progressive Conservative	X Arthur Leslie "Bud" Smith	2,823	33.3%
	Liberal	Irene McKenzie	653	7.7%
	Western Canada Concept	Phoebe Dowhy	49	0.6%
Total			8,484	100.1%1
Source: Saskatchewan Archives - Election Results by Electoral Division - Moose Jaw South

Elected.
X Incumbent.
¹ Rounding error.

References