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Meet The Owner
Meet Whitney Joy Smith, a successful entrepreneur, City Councillor, and industry leader dedicated to excellence across a variety of fields, including private investigation, security services, professional training, and public service.
Whitney’s career spans business ownership, public service, and community leadership. As the founder of The Smith Investigation Agency Inc., Smith Security Inc., and Training Centre Canada, she has built organizations that serve clients across Canada while developing the leadership and decision-making experience she now brings to municipal government.
Whitney’s journey in the private investigation industry began in the Greater Toronto Area, where she quickly recognized a significant gap in the market for professional, high-quality investigative services. As she worked with clients, she saw firsthand the challenges many organizations and individuals faced in finding qualified investigators who consistently delivered reliable results.
Rather than accepting the status quo, Whitney set out to raise the standard of the industry. She expanded her operations beyond the Toronto area to seven provinces to better serve clients across Canada while building a team of highly skilled, professional investigators committed to excellence, integrity, and results.
Recognizing that industry growth required more than expansion alone, Whitney also became passionate about developing the next generation of investigators. Through training, mentorship, and professional development initiatives, she has worked to help ensure future investigators possess the skills, knowledge, and professionalism necessary to succeed in an evolving industry.
Beyond her work as an entrepreneur and trainer, Whitney is recognized as a respected industry expert who has contributed to discussions surrounding private investigator licensing, training standards, and regulatory frameworks across Canada. She has worked with provincial governments, regulators, and industry stakeholders, providing expert insight and practical recommendations to help inform legislative and licensing decisions affecting the profession. Her commitment to advancing industry standards has helped ensure that governments and regulators have access to real-world expertise when considering changes that impact investigators, businesses, and the public.
Today, Whitney’s vision and leadership have helped grow The Smith Investigation Agency Inc. into the largest female-owned private investigation company in Canada, providing investigative services to clients across multiple provinces and territories. Her commitment to professionalism, quality service, industry advancement, and continuous improvement continues to drive the organization’s success and reputation nationwide.
In addition to her success in private investigations, Whitney is the founder and leader of Smith Security Inc., a professional security services company providing tailored security solutions to clients throughout Ontario. The company serves a diverse range of sectors, including corporate, industrial, commercial, residential, and government facilities, delivering reliable security services designed to meet each client’s unique needs.
Guided by the company’s motto, “Built to Protect,” Whitney is passionate about protection, community safety, and professional service. She believes that effective security is about more than simply responding to incidents—it is about creating safer environments, preventing problems before they occur, and providing clients with confidence and peace of mind.
Under Whitney’s leadership, Smith Security Inc. has built a reputation for professionalism, accountability, and service excellence. Whitney firmly believes that effective security begins with highly trained personnel and has made ongoing education and professional development a core part of the company’s culture.
Beyond providing security guard services, Smith Security Inc. offers specialized training programs including security guard licensing preparation, use of force training, loss prevention training, and other industry-specific professional development opportunities. Whitney is committed to ensuring that security professionals are not only properly licensed but also equipped with the practical skills, knowledge, and judgment necessary to excel in their roles.
By investing in training, mentorship, and continuous improvement, Whitney has helped create a team of dedicated security professionals committed to protecting people, property, and assets while delivering exceptional service to every client.
Recognizing that strong industries are built on knowledgeable, skilled, and well-trained professionals, Whitney founded Training Centre Canada to help individuals and organizations access high-quality, practical, and industry-relevant training. What began with private investigator and security guard training has evolved into a national training organization serving a wide range of industries and professions across Canada.
Today, Training Centre Canada provides professional development, workplace compliance, licensing, certification, and industry-specific training programs to learners throughout multiple provinces and territories. Through its growing catalogue of courses, the organization helps Canadians build valuable skills, meet regulatory requirements, advance their careers, and contribute to safer and more productive workplaces.
Under Whitney’s leadership, Training Centre Canada has trained thousands of students from coast to coast. The organization has earned a reputation for delivering accessible, engaging, and practical learning experiences that prepare individuals for real-world success. From new entrants to experienced professionals seeking additional qualifications, Training Centre Canada has become a trusted source for professional education across a variety of sectors.
What truly sets Training Centre Canada apart is its commitment to learner success. Whitney recognized early on that many training providers operate under the assumption that all students learn the same way. She understood that every learner processes and retains information differently, and built Training Centre Canada’s programs around that principle. Courses are designed to be engaging, informative, practical, and accessible, maximizing knowledge retention and helping students successfully apply what they have learned.
Whitney is passionate about creating educational experiences that not only meet regulatory and industry requirements but also inspire confidence in learners. Her philosophy is simple: training should be informative, engaging, and designed to support the success of every student. This commitment to educational excellence continues to drive the development of innovative learning programs that help Canadians achieve both personal and professional growth.
Beyond professional development and workplace training, Whitney believes education should be accessible to everyone. Through partnerships with non-profit organizations, community groups, and local governments, she has supported the development of free training initiatives aimed at helping vulnerable individuals build valuable life skills, workplace readiness, and confidence.
One of Whitney’s guiding principles has always been that students should leave a course feeling more confident in their next steps than when they started. Whether someone is pursuing a new career, upgrading their qualifications, developing workplace skills, or learning practical life skills, Whitney remains committed to helping individuals reach their full potential and become more successful versions of themselves.
Throughout her career, Whitney’s commitment to excellence, innovation, leadership, and customer service has earned recognition from industry organizations, business associations, and professional peers across Canada and beyond. Over nearly two decades in business, Whitney and the organizations she has founded have received numerous awards, nominations, and recognitions reflecting their impact, growth, and dedication to professional excellence.
Whitney’s companies have consistently maintained an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and have been recognized for outstanding service, leadership, innovation, business growth, and customer satisfaction. Among these accomplishments, The Smith Investigation Agency has been honoured multiple times with the prestigious Consumers’ Choice Award for investigative services, reflecting the trust and confidence clients place in the organization year after year.
In addition to corporate recognition, Whitney has personally received awards and nominations celebrating entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, business development, team building, and industry advancement. Her accomplishments include recognition as the owner of Canada’s largest female-owned private investigation agency, honours for excellence in executive protection and security-related fields, and awards recognizing her contributions to professional development and industry growth.
Beyond formal awards, Whitney considers one of her greatest achievements to be the successful growth of multiple organizations, the development of exceptional teams of professionals across Canada, and the opportunity to positively impact thousands of clients, students, employees, and industry professionals throughout her career.
While the awards and accolades are appreciated, Whitney remains focused on what has always mattered most: delivering exceptional service, creating opportunities for others, and continuously raising the standard within the industries she serves.
In 2022, Whitney Smith was elected to Orillia City Council, expanding her commitment to service beyond business leadership and into municipal government. Born in Orillia and a fourth-generation entrepreneur with deep family roots in the community, Whitney brings both business experience and a strong sense of civic responsibility to public office.
Public service is part of Whitney’s family legacy. Her grandfather, Reg Smith, was a respected local business owner and community advocate who was actively involved in municipal politics and passionate about the future of Orillia. His campaign slogan, “For a Greater Orillia,” reflected his vision for the community and continues to inspire Whitney’s own commitment to public service today. Her father, Michael Smith, was a respected land developer and advocate for affordable housing whose work helped shape the growth of Orillia. At a time when affordable housing was not a common focus of development, he pioneered projects that created much-needed housing opportunities for local residents. Through the construction of multiple affordable housing developments, as well as numerous other residential projects, his contributions continue to provide homes for families in the community today. Inspired by their example, Whitney has dedicated herself to serving residents and helping shape a strong future for Orillia.
During her time on Council, Whitney has served on numerous boards, committees, and task forces, contributing to a wide range of municipal initiatives and community priorities. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience as a business owner and leader, she has become a strong advocate for accountability, financial responsibility, public safety, regulatory compliance, economic growth, and transparent decision-making.
Whitney has been actively involved in initiatives aimed at strengthening community safety, supporting local businesses, improving municipal accountability, and advocating for increased access to healthcare services. She has worked alongside healthcare partners, government agencies, community organizations, and fellow elected officials to support physician recruitment efforts and help address the growing need for healthcare resources within the region.
Known for being accessible and responsive, Whitney is committed to ensuring residents have a strong voice at City Hall. She believes elected officials have a responsibility to listen, engage, and advocate for the people they serve while making decisions that reflect both the current needs and long-term interests of the community.
Building on her family’s legacy, Whitney is currently a candidate for Mayor of Orillia. Inspired by her grandfather’s vision of working “For a Greater Orillia,” she continues to champion practical solutions, responsible leadership, fiscal accountability, community safety, healthcare advocacy, and a community-first approach to governance.
A different voice, but the same heart for Orillia.
Whether through business leadership, education, community involvement, or public service, Whitney remains committed to empowering others, creating opportunities, and helping build a stronger future for Orillia and the generations that follow.
Faith has been a foundational part of Whitney’s life for as long as she can remember. Raised in a ministry family, with both of her parents serving as pastors, she has spent her life actively involved in church leadership, ministry, and community outreach. Over the years, Whitney has served on church boards, leadership teams, and advisory groups, offering guidance on organizational growth, operational efficiencies, community engagement strategies, and training materials designed to support ministry leaders and volunteers.
As a Christian, Whitney’s faith influences both her personal life and professional leadership. She strives to lead with integrity, compassion, accountability, and service to others. These principles have become guiding values throughout her businesses, community involvement, and public service. Whitney believes that true leadership is rooted in serving others, doing what is right even when it is difficult, and creating opportunities that positively impact people’s lives.
Beyond leadership within the local church, Whitney has spent decades participating in speaking engagements, ministry initiatives, outreach programs, conferences, and mission work both in Canada and internationally. She has led teams during conferences and large-scale events, helping coordinate volunteers, support ministry initiatives, and create meaningful experiences for attendees. Whitney has also organized and hosted her own events, impacting hundreds of individuals through teaching, encouragement, leadership development, prayer ministry, and community engagement. Through these experiences, she has had the opportunity to serve vulnerable communities, support charitable initiatives, and work alongside organizations dedicated to improving the lives of others.
Giving back has always been a core part of Whitney’s personal and professional philosophy. Whitney believes that success carries with it a responsibility to help others succeed. Throughout her career, she has supported numerous charitable initiatives, community projects, outreach programs, and causes that assist vulnerable individuals and families both locally and around the world. She has personally invested her time, resources, and expertise into initiatives that help create opportunities for others and improve the lives of those facing challenges.
This commitment extends beyond Whitney personally and is reflected in the values of each of her businesses. Whether through charitable contributions, community partnerships, educational initiatives, sponsorships, mentorship opportunities, or programs designed to support vulnerable individuals, Whitney believes businesses have a responsibility to make a positive impact in the communities they serve.
Whether through education, mentorship, charitable contributions, volunteerism, community service, business leadership, or ministry, Whitney remains committed to helping others reach their full potential. She believes that some of the greatest measures of success are not found in business achievements or awards, but in the positive impact we have on the lives of others.
Guided by her faith and a lifelong commitment to service, Whitney continues to dedicate her time, resources, and leadership to strengthening communities, supporting those in need, and helping people build brighter futures for themselves and their families. Inspired by the belief that it is better to give than receive, she strives to live out her faith through action, service, generosity, and a genuine desire to help others become the best versions of themselves.
Throughout her career, Whitney Smith has never been content with simply maintaining the status quo. Whether building national businesses, advancing professional standards, training the next generation of industry professionals, serving her community through public office, or supporting charitable and ministry initiatives, she has consistently pursued opportunities to create meaningful and lasting impact.
Whitney believes leadership is not defined by titles, awards, or accomplishments, but by the ability to positively influence others and create opportunities for people to succeed. This philosophy has guided her throughout nearly two decades of entrepreneurship, community involvement, ministry leadership, and public service.
Known for her ability to identify challenges, develop practical solutions, and build strong teams, Whitney has successfully grown organizations, mentored professionals, trained thousands of students, and contributed to initiatives that have strengthened industries, businesses, and communities across Canada. Her leadership style combines vision, accountability, innovation, and a genuine commitment to helping others reach their full potential.
As an entrepreneur, educator, community advocate, and public servant, Whitney remains focused on building organizations that make a difference, supporting causes that create positive change, and helping individuals discover opportunities they may not have thought possible.
While her accomplishments span multiple industries and areas of service, the mission that drives Whitney remains simple: leave every person, organization, and community better than she found it.
Whether through business, education, public service, ministry, or philanthropy, Whitney continues to dedicate her life to empowering others, strengthening communities, and building a legacy of leadership, service, and impact for generations to come.
Industry Awards
Some of the most notable include
Consumers Choice Award winner ten years in a row for the Best Private Investigative agency in Toronto
Winner PI Magazine Leading Professionals
CBRB Best Businesses In Canada
Alberta Business Awards of Distinction in the Woman Entrepreneur Award of Distinction
Top 100 Registry for Woman of the Year
The Global Excellence Award for the Most Trusted Private Investigative Service Provider
Leading Advisor Awards for the Leading Corporate Private Investigations Agency of the year
Mississauga board of trade for business excellence
Readers Digest
April 5, 2021
December 24, 2019
