William R. Smallwood Explained

William Smallwood
Birth Date:30 September 1928
Birth Place:Corner Brook, Dominion of Newfoundland
Death Place:St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Office1:MHA for Green Bay
Term Start1:1956
Term End1:1971
Predecessor1:Baxter Mogan
Successor1:Harold Starkes
Party:Liberal
Relations:Joey Smallwood (father)
Occupation:Lawyer

William Richard Smallwood (September 30, 1928 – October 30, 2001) was a Canadian politician. He represented the electoral district of Green Bay in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1956 to 1971. He was a member of the Liberal Party.[1] He was born in Corner Brook in 1928, the son of Newfoundland Premier and Canadian Father of Confederation, Joey Smallwood, and his wife Clara Oates. He was their second child and had an older brother, Ramsay and younger sister, Clara. He attended the Curtis Academy, Memorial University, and Dalhousie University, earning an LL.B. degree. He was a lawyer in St. John's.[2] [3]

On May 27, 1971, Smallwood assaulted William Marshall on the floor of the House, and was issued a five-day suspension.[4] John Crosbie was given a three-day suspension after accusing Joey Smallwood of approving of William's behavior, while Marshall and H.R.V. Earle were suspended for criticising Speaker Clarke.[5] [6]

In 1983, he suffered stab wounds in an altercation with his son, who was charged with attempted murder.[7] The charges were withdrawn due to insufficient evidence.[8] He died in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2001.[9]

Notes and References

  1. [Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador]
  2. Web site: Guide parlementaire canadien. google.ca. 1971. 29 March 2015.
  3. Web site: Guide parlementaire canadien. google.ca. 1971. 29 March 2015.
  4. News: Maher . David . Lies, intrigue and assault: a brief history of suspensions from the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly . June 12, 2020 . The Telegram . December 15, 2019.
  5. Book: House of Assembly Verbatim Report, Monday, May 31, 1971 . 1971 . Government of Newfoundland and Labrador . 5103–5104 . June 12, 2020.
  6. News: 3 Nfld. Opposition Members Expelled . May 31, 1971 . June 12, 2020 . The Ottawa Journal.
  7. Smallwood's grandson fit to face trial, court rules The Globe and Mail [Toronto, Ont] October 22, 1983: P.15.
  8. Smallwood's grandson cleared of attempting to murder his dad, Toronto Star (1971-2009); Toronto, Ontario [Toronto, Ontario]24 Feb 1984: A8.
  9. "Obituaries", St. John's Telegram, November 2, 2001, pg. A8