The late Melvin H. Smith, QC, spent 31 years in the public service of British Columbia. A lawyer by profession, from 1967 until 1987 he was the ranking official on constitutional law and constitutional reform issues for four successive provincial administrations. He was a key player in the patriation of the constitution in 1981, and also served as a Deputy Minister for 13 years in various ministries until his early and voluntary retirement in 1991. A leader in the No campaign on the Charlottetown Accord, he spent his time as a consultant, commentator on public issues, columnist, and university lecturer. He was the author of the Canadian best-seller, Our Home or Native Land? .