in 1976, smith was elected to council for london city council. she served as alderman for nine years and was a controller for two of those years. she was elected to the ontario legislature in the 1985 provincial election, defeating progressive conservative incumbent gordon walker by 6,683 votes in the constituency of london south. she was re-elected by an increased majority in the 1987 election, and appointed to cabinet as solicitor general on september 29, 1987.