Marking 20 years
of bold journalism,
reader supported.
Tyee News
Federal Politics

Introducing Tyee's Newest Election Writer: Harry Smith

At 92, writer and activist fears austerity measures will destroy the country he helped build.

Jane Armstrong 6 Apr 2015TheTyee.ca

Jane Armstrong is the editor in chief of The Tyee.

The Tyee is honoured to introduce guest writer, Harry Smith, who at 92, will write a series of essays for The Tyee as part of its election coverage.

Smith's powerful life story and distinctive voice have already struck a chord with readers. A profile from our Ottawa correspondent Jeremy Nuttall described how the retired Toronto-area carpet buyer and designer became a sensation in the United Kingdom for his opinion pieces and memoir, Harry's Last Stand. The book draws links between his poverty-stricken childhood and where the western world may be headed today as government austerity grips many of its countries.

Smith's essays for The Tyee will focus on the legacy of the Conservative government's nine years in power. He won't mince words.

"During my long life and association with Canada, I have never seen a greater threat to Canadian society than the Stephen Harper government," Smith wrote in an email.

"Harper and his Tory government have seriously tested Canada's democracy through intimidation of any organization who opposes their ultra right-wing agenda.

"It is my hope that my essays to be published in The Tyee will allow the reader to see Canada through my eyes as both a survivor of the Great Depression, Second World War, one-time immigrant, and ordinary citizen who has experienced world history for almost a hundred years."  

Last month, The Tyee launched a national drive to expand its 2015 federal election coverage. Smith is a welcome addition to The Tyee's team.

Our goal is to raise $50,000. Right now, we're sitting at just over $35,000 with a week left to go. We're within sight of our target.

Help expand the Tyee's federal election coverage today.

A remarkable father, husband, activist and writer, Smith has seen it all. He survived a youth marked by crippling poverty in Depression-era England, the death of his sister to tuberculosis and the Second World War, during which he served in the Royal Air Force.

Move to Canada

In 1953, Smith moved to Canada. He and his wife Frieda settled in Scarborough, Ont., east of Toronto and the couple raised three sons. That might have been the end of a successful immigrant story. But the banking crisis of 2008 and subsequent recession fired up Smith's activist spirit.

His son John told The Tyee that his father began writing in earnest at age 86 "in order to explain to the world where he came from and how he feared that his past would become Canada's future."

He's been busy. Right now, Smith is back in the U.K. on a speaking tour, where he is endorsing the Labour Party in advance of the May 7 election. It's a gruelling pace, but Smith's appearances have drawn standing ovations.

When he's not speaking publicly, Smith is writing powerful essays in the Guardian that rail against the erosion of public services, particularly in health care.

Smith splits his time between Canada and Yorkshire. He is scheduled to return to Canada in May.

We're looking forward to sharing Smith's incisive writing on our pages.

To support The Tyee's election coverage, go here.  [Tyee]

Read more: Federal Politics

  • Share:

Facts matter. Get The Tyee's in-depth journalism delivered to your inbox for free

Tyee Commenting Guidelines

Comments that violate guidelines risk being deleted, and violations may result in a temporary or permanent user ban. Maintain the spirit of good conversation to stay in the discussion.
*Please note The Tyee is not a forum for spreading misinformation about COVID-19, denying its existence or minimizing its risk to public health.

Do:

  • Be thoughtful about how your words may affect the communities you are addressing. Language matters
  • Challenge arguments, not commenters
  • Flag trolls and guideline violations
  • Treat all with respect and curiosity, learn from differences of opinion
  • Verify facts, debunk rumours, point out logical fallacies
  • Add context and background
  • Note typos and reporting blind spots
  • Stay on topic

Do not:

  • Use sexist, classist, racist, homophobic or transphobic language
  • Ridicule, misgender, bully, threaten, name call, troll or wish harm on others
  • Personally attack authors or contributors
  • Spread misinformation or perpetuate conspiracies
  • Libel, defame or publish falsehoods
  • Attempt to guess other commenters’ real-life identities
  • Post links without providing context

LATEST STORIES

The Barometer

Do You Think Naheed Nenshi Will Win the Alberta NDP Leadership Race?

Take this week's poll