Profile
Monique M. Smith is an accomplished, bilingual executive with a legacy of achievement in diplomatic, political and cultural sectors. Ontario’s first Representative in Washington and a former provincial cabinet minister, Monique is a strategic thinker and effective communicator with the ability to build strong relationships and alliances to support key initiatives.
A proven leader with experience on executive teams overseeing large enterprises in dynamic environments, Monique has worked collaboratively to develop and implement intergovernmental and community projects and programs. As a Minister and a diplomat, she has developed an inclusive stakeholder consultative style and has established and managed relationships in a variety of contexts, in the public and private sector, at every political level in the US, Canada and around the world.
A strong advocate for Ontario and Canada’s interests internationally, Monique regularly advises national firms on trade negotiations and government relations. Through her work with international democratic organizations, she has assisted Parliaments in Southeast Asia and civil society organizations in Africa to strengthen their democratic institutions. She is also a regular guest speaker and panelist, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to her work. In addition to a Bachelor of Laws from Queen's University, Monique completed the Director's Education Program at the Rotman School of Management and is a mentor with the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation.
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Recent engagements
Career HighlightS
COnsulting
MMSmith Consulting: Working with various national and international organizations to strengthen democratic institutions and electoral processes.
Global Public Affairs: Senior Counsel and Chair, Cultural Industries: Working with a variety of clients including the culture sector and on Canada/US relations
Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation, Mentor: Mentoring PhD scholars on leadership skills to become engaged leaders who will serve their communities.
Diplomatic
Ontario’s Representative in Washington: Represented the Province of Ontario in the United States, promoting trade, advising on political affairs and public policy.
Political
Transition Lead, Office of the Premier: Led the transition of the new Premier into office, and the creation and implementation of the structure of the new administration.
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Government of Ontario: Lead on federal-provincial relations, coordinating various Ministries’ interactions; Ontario lead on the 2010 Royal Visit and G8/G20 provincial welcome.
Government House Leader, Government of Ontario: Managed the government’s policy agenda through the legislative process.
Minister of Tourism, Government of Ontario: Led the planning and execution of Ontario’s presence at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.
Minister of Revenue, Government of Ontario: Completed the harmonization of the federal/provincial corporate tax collection system.
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health, Government of Ontario: Conducted a province-wide review of long-term care and drafted a report creating a blueprint for legislative reforms that were undertaken.
Member of Provincial Parliament for Nipissing: Elected 2003-2011.
Chief of Staff to the Leader, Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition: Set up the new Leader’s Office and managed the operations, including policy, communications, legislative and operations teams.
Association
Executive Director, Association of Canadian Publishers: Led national trade association and sector through a major retail transition and distribution-chain reorganization.
LEGAL
Lawyer, McCarthy Tétrault: Specialized in employment and labour law, assisted in major human rights case on the definition of disability in the workplace.
“Monique understands politics, government and diplomacy. She was a great advocate for her province and a great collaborator on Canada-US issues.”
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
MENTOR
Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation (2022-25)
PANELIST
Bidens’s First Hundred Days, Global Public Affairs (April 2021)
What Happened in Canada’s 44th General Election, Wilson Center (September 2021)
US Election Impacts on Canadian Infrastructure, ReNew Canada (November 2020)
Post US Election Panel, Global Public Affairs (November 2020)
Co-Chair
Ontario Government’s Ontario-US Engagement Strategy (2016-18)
Member
Premier’s Committee on Ontario-U.S. Economic and Trade Relations (2016-18)
Treasury Board of Cabinet overseeing all government expenditures (2007-11)
Board of Internal Economy, of the Legislative Assembly, managing the operations of the provincial legislature (2003-11)
Various Standing Committees of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and L’Assemblée Parlementaire Francophone (2003-07)
The Law Society of Upper Canada (in good standing)
ADVISOR
North Bay Food Bank (2011-14)
“Monique is the best I have seen at understanding how the U.S. political system can impact Canadian interests. With her extensive knowledge of the major issues that affect industry and cross-border interactions, she is able to deftly navigate both governments to achieve results.”
Gallery
