Former city councillor ‘a community champion’

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This article was published 12/03/2017 (3462 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Harvey Smith, a former city councillor who served the West End for more than three decades, has died. 

Smith, 80, died Sunday at Victoria Hospital after a short illness, according to a statement from the Canadian Union of Public Employees. He had been living in care since falling in his home last summer. 

“Harvey was a social justice activist his entire life,” said long-time friend, Paul Moist, a former leader of CUPE. “Harvey fought hard for affordable public transit and on a host of inner-city issues such as infrastructure and housing.”

Smith represented the Sargent Park ward from 1980 to 1986 and the Daniel McIntyre ward from 1998 until 2014. He was an NDP MLA in the Ellice constituency from 1986 to 1988. He was known as a community advocate and social activist.

“Earlier this year, I took Harvey to the re-opening of Sherbrook Pool. Smith fought against talk of closing the 80-year-old facility and was very proud that the refurbished facility remains open for inner-city families,” Moist said in a statement. 

Daniel McIntyre Coun. Cindy Gilroy said the re-opening of the Kinsmen Sherbrook Pool after being closed for four years is part of his legacy. She last saw him at the re-opening party on Feb. 18.

“The city could have gotten rid of that and he worked hard to keep those doors open,” she said in a phone interview Sunday night. “I got to see him at the Sherbrook Pool opening, so it was great he got to see his legacy open before he passed and was able to be there.”

Gilroy defeated Smith for his seat, but the lifelong West End resident said there was never any hard feelings between the two and she approached Smith before running to inform him of her plans.   

“We respected one another. We got along and felt similar about the community and there was no ill-will. He took on a lot of issues I am passionate about and he will be missed,” she said.

“He was really a community champion. He was somebody that advocated for the people in Daniel McIntyre. He really cared about his constituents.”

Prior to his life in politics, Smith was a teacher and a school librarian in Winnipeg School Division No. 1. He was born in the city, but raised in British Columbia where he earned degrees from both the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University, according to CUPE.

Details will be announced later this week regarding a memorial service. 

Smith was known for returning constituents calls, but could rub some of his fellow councillors the wrong way. In 2013 he posted a set of fake street signs in his ward’s worst back lanes with the name of then mayor Sam Katz and members of the executive policy committee to draw attention to the poor condition of the laneways.

“If you want people to live in these wards, you have to maintain them,” Smith said at the time. “There are newer neighbourhoods across the city where money is being spent but not in these areas.”

Smith eventually convinced his council colleagues on the governance committee to cover the cost of the $1,600 as a ward expense.

In 2010, Smith lost support from the NDP to back him in the municipal election, instead choosing to devote its resources to Keith Bellamy, a constituency assistant to then Winnipeg Centre MP Pat Martin.

Smith said he was going to retire, but changed his mind and won the 2010 election, defeating Gilroy by 108 votes and Bellamy by 352 votes. 

He was also involved in a well publicized incident in 2007 when city health inspectors declared his Alverstone Street apartment unsanitary and “unfit for human habitation” after finding mouse droppings, a large accumulation of garbage, filth and “hoarding of items throughout the suite.”

Local political leaders took to Twitter to talk about Smith’s death and offer their condolences. 

“Very saddened to learn of Harvey Smith’s passing. He was a committed civic & provincial leader, a passionate voice for the inner city,” said Mayor Brian Bowman.

“Condolences to friends & family of former City Councillor Harvey Smith, a man who truly devoted his life to public service #mbpoli #wpgpoli,” tweeted Premier Brian Pallister.

“Very saddened to hear of Harvey Smith’s passing, a tireless advocate for working people, former councillor and NDP MLA. He will be missed,” said interim NDP leader Flor Marcelino.

Coun. Jeff Browaty stated: “Sorry to hear about the passing of Harvey Smith. While we saw many things differently, he truly cared about the people he represented.”

Saint Boniface—Saint Vital MP Dan Vandal, a former Winnipeg city councillor, wrote: “RIP Harvey Smith, a tireless advocate for social justice & for Winnipeg.”

In a series of tweets, St. Boniface Coun. Matt Allard said: “Rest in peace Harvey Smith. My condolences to your family. You gave your life to public service and through dialogue made Winnipeg a better place. I had the honour of working with you at city hall, I will always remember your energy when you were passionate about an issue.”