David Smith
David Smith, business entrepreneur, humanitarian, and advocate for youth, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the 9:30 a.m. ceremony on Wednesday, June 14, “in recognition of an outstanding contribution to improving the lives of people in Ottawa, across Canada, and around the world.”
Born in Ottawa to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents, David Smith’s early employment, along with his 13 brothers and sisters, was in his father’s shoe repair store. Well-known for his commitment to his community and its well-being, Smith credits his parents with having instilled in him the gift of giving early in life. His passionate commitment to various causes has resulted in more than $100 million raised for these organizations.
A distinguished businessman whose primary business has been the restaurant and catering industry, Smith counts as one of his proudest achievements the establishment of the David Smith Centre, a youth drug and alcohol treatment centre in Ottawa, the first such centre in the region dedicated to young people between the ages of 13 and 18. His visionary leadership led to the creation of the Ottawa Technical Learning Centre with its “Learn to Earn” training program which serves as the model for programs established in other regions of Canada as well as in countries in West Africa, South Africa, and Afghanistan.