The Honourable Douglas C. Frith, P.C.
Vice Chair, Global Public Affairs

Doug was recently named Vice Chair of Global Public Affairs. Doug came to Global after serving as the President of the Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Association (1996-2008) where he was responsible for building government support of the industry in a number of key areas including tax policy, market access and intellectual property. Previous to this, Doug played several roles at Hill and Knowlton Canada. As Senior Vice President and Executive Vice President, he delivered public affairs and public relations programs in the areas of healthcare, mining, pulp and paper and aboriginal affairs. He also served as Chairman of the firm.

Doug was first elected to Federal Parliament as the MP for Sudbury in 1980. Upon his election he was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, with specific responsibility for the Health Protection Branch. In 1983-84 he was appointed as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Task Force for Pension Reform which led to landmark pension legislation changes for public and private pension plans in Canada. In 1984 he was appointed to the federal cabinet and became Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. As the Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister he was intricately involved in the successful negotiation and settlement of several land claims which included the Cree Naskapi Act (James Bay Project). Between 1984-1986 Doug held the portfolio of opposition critic for defence and health and welfare issues and acted as Chair of the National Liberal Caucus. He retired from politics in 1988.

Prior to his federal service, Doug served the Regional Chairman and as an alderman in the city of Sudbury. He has been co-chair of the Ontario Property Tax Reform Task Force and Chair of the Finance Committee for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

Doug has been honoured for his public service with the Queen’s Jubilee Medals in 1977, 1992, and 2002 and was the recipient of the Public Service Award in 1988 for his work in the area of pension reform.

He has extensive board experience having sat on the Board of Directors of the Toronto East General Hospital, the Canadian Council on Aboriginal Business, and the Canadian Film Centre.

Doug originally trained as a pharmacist and practiced in Sudbury for many years.