Government Relations Strategist

Ben Smith

Ben Smith is a public affairs strategist with a track record of results. He’s delivered significant wins for clients, and his political acumen has been published in Canada’s most-read news outlets.

As a strategist, Ben has helped businesses, and associations in highly-regulated sectors frame their narrative and spread their message in an impactful way. Ben specializes in building campaigns and creating communications strategies that move opinion and earn trust. He built a successful government relations business based in the GTA and served as a Director of Communications on Parliament Hill and served as Communications Director to an Ontario Provincial Cabinet Minister in the Doug Ford Government.

Ben has run Conservative campaigns at all levels of government, and was proud to run as a Conservative candidate in his hometown of Stouffville during the 2021 Canadian federal election.

Overview

Why are national GR campaigns in Canada important?

National government relations campaigns are critical for advancing priorities that cross provincial borders and require alignment at every level of government. In a country as geographically vast and politically diverse as Canada, achieving meaningful change often means coordinating advocacy efforts across multiple jurisdictions to ensure consistent messaging, policy alignment, and broad-based support.

How does your team integrate public affairs insights into national strategies?

We integrate public affairs insights by grounding strategies in research, stakeholder analysis, and political intelligence. Our team works across jurisdictions to identify policy trends, assess risks, and shape narratives that resonate nationally while remaining locally relevant. That way, clients are not just heard, they’re understood by the right audiences at the right time.

What’s the role of public consultation in public affairs?

Public consultation plays a critical role, it builds legitimacy, enhances transparency, and often strengthens policy outcomes as well as helping organizations anticipate concerns, incorporate diverse perspectives, and demonstrate social license. Today’s digital tools, from online surveys to virtual town halls, make it easier to consult broadly and inclusively.

Contact

Head Office

100 Allstate Pkwy
Suite 502,
Markham, ON
L3R 6H3 (647) 725-3014

Vancouver

375 Water Street
Suite 450
Vancouver, BC
V6B 5C6 (604) 360 2152

Media Inquiries

Monika Bujalska
Vice-President, Public Affairs (647) 625-8401