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Richard W. Smith was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 28, 1959. He studied at St. Mary’s University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in commerce. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax in 1985.

Ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1987 for the Archdiocese of Halifax, he pursued further studies in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and earned a licentiate degree in 1993 and a doctorate in 1998.

Within the Archdiocese of Halifax, he served in a number of positions including vicar general and he was responsible for the pastoral ministry of French-speaking Catholics in Halifax. He served as chaplain to the deaf community in Halifax from 1986-1991. He was also a professor of theology at St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ontario in addition to serving simultaneously as pastor of three communities.

In April 27, 2002 by Pope St. John Paul II, appointed him Bishop of Pembroke in Ontario. He received his episcopal consecration on June 18th that same year from Archbishop Marcel Gervais, with Archbishops Terrence Prendergast, S.J., and Austin-Emile Burke serving as co-consecrators.

Pope Benedict XVI appointed him to the Metropolitan See of Edmonton on March 22, 2007 and was formally installed as seventh Archbishop of Edmonton on May 1, 2007, Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, the patron saint of the Edmonton Archdiocese. He has taken the motto “Fiat Voluntas Tua” (Thy Will Be Done).

Archbishop Smith served as General Co-ordinator of Pope Francis’ historic visit to Canada, July 24 – 29, 2022. The Holy Father’s pilgrimage focused on Indigenous healing and reconciliation while also providing him the opportunity to encounter the faithful in Canada.

On February 25, 2025, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Richard W. Smith as Archbishop of Vancouver.

In 1925 on the invitation of His Grace, Most Rev. H.J. O’Leary a monastery was opened at 11105 100th Avenue, where eight sisters formed the Sisters of the Precious Blood convent in Edmonton. The first mass was held in the convent of “Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament” on the first Friday in June. In the absence of His Grace, the mass of installation was offered by the Vicar General, Rev. McGuigan.

At the request of Archbishop Henry O’Leary’s brother in PEI, the sisters opened another convent and sent seven sisters in 1929. Houses were also opened in Vancouver, BC (1930), Regina, SK (1933), Kagoshima, Japan (1934), Pembroke, ON (1939), Calgary, AB (1951), St. Paul, AB (1952), and Nelson, BC (1962).

The community of the Sisters of the Precious Blood is a contemplative community of Pontifical right founded in 1861 by Catherin Aurelia Caouette in St. Hyacinth, Canada. As of 2010 there were 19 monasteries of the Precious Blood around the world. The community observes Constitutional enclosure with limits on the cloister defined in the community’s constitutions. Sisters are permitted to leave the enclosure for genuine spiritual and physical needs, including yearly home visits.

Due to declining vocations and the ailing health of the sisters the convent was closed in 2012.