About

Want to achieve lifetime financial security and live a healthier, brighter life? Take the time to browse the website, so you can learn more about the solutions we can discuss to help meet your needs and goals. Reach out if you have any questions and to get started.

Our team has a sincere interest and concern for the needs and values of all Clients. We listen to Clients and strive to meet their insurance and investment needs with integrity, knowledge and, most importantly, a firm focus on personal service and respect for the people who come to them. Over the years the financial landscape may change, but our fundamental values of trust, stability and service will not.

C.R. Smith Financial Services Inc.

Your financial strategy should be as unique as you are. Whether you’re just starting out, about to enter retirement, or somewhere in between, a strong financial roadmap can help you reach your short and long-term goals. Let’s work together to protect what matters most to you and help you secure your future. Reach out to get started. Let’s get you there.

Doug Smith

With over 35 years of industry experience, Doug brings a wealth of knowledge, integrity, and respect to Client relationships.


After graduating from Wilfrid Laurier University with an honours business degree, he entered the financial industry. Doug quickly realized that he entered a field that was intriguing because of the growing significance of financial planning. He’s honoured to be part of a local business that has earned the trust of the community. He takes pride in continuing the stability and growth of the business that his father, Chuck, started in 1974. What he thought was simply a job back when he started in 1987, became a dedicated way of life. Doug realized just how important Clients, their families and their businesses would become to him.


Doug is proud to call himself a lifelong resident of the Niagara Region where he’s raised his twin sons. Committed to the financial success of the people in the community, he feels a sense of responsibility and loyalty towards those who have given his family and himself so much. Doug gives back by being involved in local charitable events. Closest to his heart is the Wise Guys Charity Fund. This is a registered charity that his father and him started in 1991. A volunteer-based charity, they are proud to have raised over $4.4 million for many worthy local causes.


Whether you meet through business, or charity work, you will soon realize that Doug upholds the principles of knowledge, respect and integrity for the people and organizations he works with and supports. He takes the time to get to know you, understand your goals, and help you achieve lifetime financial security.

Job Title: Advisor, Sun Life, BBA

Jay Fast

Jay is a lifelong resident of the Niagara Region. He graduated from Brock University with an Honours Degree in Sports Management. Following this, he entered the financial services industry as a third-generation advisor. Having family in the business provided Jay with a unique insight into the benefits of a strong financial strategy. He sees the importance of truly understanding the needs and values of Clients.

 

Jay holds his Life Insurance License and Mutual Fund License. Accompanying this, he has one of the highest designations in our field, the Chartered Life Underwriting® (CLU) designation. Outside of the office, he spends his time doing the things he loves. You’ll often find him playing golf, basketball, travelling, spending time with family and giving back to the community. Jay prides himself on the service and relationship he builds with Clients. He is always active in relaying his personal values of trust, integrity, and hard work with everyone he meets.

Job Title: Advisor, Sun Life, CLU®

Brandon Currie

Born and raised in Niagara, Brandon lives in St. Catharines, ON with his wife and their two children. Brandon has travelled around the world including three years in Australia.

 

Brandon holds the two of the highest designations in our field of business, the Chartered Life Underwriting® (CLU) designation and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) designation. He also has obtained his Registered Retirement Consultant® (RRC) and his Chartered Health Insurance Specialist™ (CHS) designations. Next year he plans on continuing his education by pursuing more industry designations and achievements.

 

In his spare time, he is a committee member of the Wise Guys Charity Fund. He loves to cycle in the spring and summer and play pick-up hockey in the fall and winter.

Job Title: Advisor, Sun Life, CLU®

CEA, CFP®, CHS™, RRC®

W.G. (Bill) Tomlinson

Bill has been an Advisor and Manager since 1980 with Mutual Life, Clarica and Sun Life. He brings a wealth of knowledge in all areas within the financial industry. He holds licenses in Life, Accident and Sickness Insurance and Mutual Funds as well as hold both a Chartered Financial Planner (1998) and a Certified Health Insurance Specialist (2011). Bill has been married for over 43 years and has children and grandchildren in the Niagara Region.


In the community, he’s previously served on the board of the Welland YMCA. He’s also on the committee for the Wise Guys Charity Golf Tournament since 1995. As a past president of the Life Underwriters Association of Niagara, and Past Chair of Mutual Life’s previous Sales Force Managers Council, he brings many years of experience in the Insurance and Investment world. Honesty, integrity, honour and courage are the cornerstones of his work. Bill looks forward to working with you now as part of C.R. Smith Financial.

Job Title: Associate Advisor, Sun Life, CHS™

Matt Milner

Matt is a lifelong resident of the Niagara region. He attended both Brock University and Niagara College. Matt was an advisor with Sun Life for three years before joining C.R. Smith Financial as an Associate Advisor.


Matt holds both his Life Insurance License and Mutual Fund License. Matt has obtained the CERTFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) designation and the Registered Retirement Consultant (RRC) designation. Matt prides himself on his thirst for knowledge and is continuing his education to provide better service for Clients.

Job Title: Associate Advisor, Sun Life, CFP®, RRC

CEA

Ashley Marquis

Ashley is a lifelong resident of the Niagara region, and has attended both George Brown College and Niagara College. She has been in the financial services industry for five years and is Mutual Fund and Life Licensed. Outside of the office, Ashley enjoys entertaining for family and friends, cooking, and running game nights with her friends.


She specializes in servicing wealth and life Clients with any questions or concerns they may have. She has recently acquired her Life License. Ashley is looking to expand her knowledge in other courses to provide a better service for Clients. She prides herself in her attention to detail and continuously wanting to learn and accomplish new things.

Job Title: Service Associate, Sun Life

Karen Rice

Karen joined C.R Smith Financial at the beginning of 2020 as an Executive Assistant, with over 15 years of practical experience working for Clarica, and then Sun Life in the St. Catharines branch office. She has held roles of administrator and tech trainer focusing in the areas of manager/advisor support, recruiting, and technology. She’s passionate about providing superior customer service, making meaningful connections with Clients, and providing comprehensive support to the team. 


Karen studied business at Niagara College. Here, she learned skills useful in managing her own restaurant and catering business in Hamilton for 10 years. She’s been a lifelong resident of the Niagara region, where she’s raised three children. Karen keeps busy with cooking, reading, and painting. 

Job Title: Advisor Assistant, Sun Life | Executive Assistant for C.R. Smith Financial Services Inc.

Josh Race

Josh joined the CR Smith team in early 2021, as our Group Client Service Specialist. He is a lifetime resident of the Niagara Region and lives in Niagara Falls with his girlfriend and their daughter. Josh attended both Niagara College and Fanshawe College, where he studied Protection, Security, and Investigation. 


Josh prides himself in having over a decade of superior customer service experience. He is very intrigued and passionate, about everything related to finance. He has provided excellent customer service in many different work environments. He helps Clients navigate their plans with ease, relaying timely information, and as simply as possible.


In Josh’s spare time, he spends quality time with family and friends, entertaining them with his passion for cooking.

Job Title: Advisor Assistant, Sun Life

Garrett Spiering

Garrett joined the C.R. Smith team in the beginning of 2022 as an Advisor Assistant. He is a lifetime resident of the Niagara region and currently resides in St. Catharines with his wife, Grayson. Garrett attended Brock University where he obtained an honours degree in business. He looks to continue his education by pursuing further designations within the financial field.


Integrity, honesty, respect, and attention to detail are fundamental values that Garrett prioritizes in his career and personal life. As well, Garrett prides himself on being the son of a local small business owner. While the career paths may differ, Garrett looks to provide the Niagara region with the same level of service and expertise that his father did for many years.

Job Title: Advisor Assistant, Sun Life, BBA

Have questions?

Here to help answer your questions, provide clarity about products and get you started on the road to achieving your goals.

Sunlife
We are contracted with Sun Life Financial Distributors (Canada) Inc., a member of Sun Life group of companies. Mutual funds distributed by Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc.