Jeffrey Smith
Partner
Life at FGS Global
I work with clients on federal public affairs issues in Canada, focusing on strategic policy advocacy and regulatory challenges. I have specialized expertise in guiding clients through the federal foreign direct investment review regime, particularly the National Security Review process.
Life Pre-FGS Global
Prior to FGS, I spent 18 years at a global public relations firm including positions in Ottawa, Toronto, and Beijing where I was the firm's country manager. Before becoming a public affairs advisor, I spent 10 years in politics culminating in a senior role with the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada.
Life Beyond FGS Global
I live in mid-town Toronto with my wife and golden retriever Hudson. When not at the office, I'm most likely, cooking, cheering for the Raptors, or planning my next scuba diving trip.
Jeff works with clients on federal public affairs issues in Canada, focusing on strategic policy advocacy and regulatory challenges. He has specialized expertise in guiding clients through the federal foreign direct investment review regime, particularly the National Security Review process under the Investment Canada Act (ICA).
Jeff has guided clients through dozens of ICA net benefit and national security reviews. His ICA practice focuses on transactions involving critical minerals and natural resources, sensitive technology sectors, and supply-chain M&A with national security implications. He advises clients on pre-transaction risk assessment, proactive government engagement strategies, structural mitigation options, and managing the national security review process from initial ministerial soundings through final approval or negotiated undertakings.
Beyond ICA work, Jeff advises clients on federal regulatory challenges, legislative advocacy, and managing sensitive government relations issues across sectors including mining, energy, infrastructure, technology, and financial services.
Jeff leverages more than 35 years of diverse global experience in government relations, issues and stakeholder management, governance and corporate communications. Whether clients face sensitive business decisions such as mergers or restructurings, find themselves with a crisis, or face regulatory and government policy challenges, Jeff's background working for cabinet ministers at both the federal and provincial levels including for the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, provides a unique perspective on all elements of communications and government relations.
Jeff is a graduate of the University of Toronto where he studied political science, history and philosophy. He has also completed the Directors Education Program at Rotman School of Management.