Navigating Financial Health in Canada

Senior Advisor, Transport Canada

City: Winnipeg

Country of origin: India

Jaideep Johar, a Canadian living in Winnipeg is a shining example of resilience and unwavering dedication. His journey to Canada from India in 2005 marked the start of an incredible odyssey, despite a long struggle for employment.

His perseverance and sincerity, as well as his strong belief in values and ethical standards, helped him to adapt to a new environment. Johar has helped new immigrants settle in by leveraging his professional skills. He works with various organizations in order to promote diversity, equality and inclusivity, to ensure sustainable living, to safeguard Mother Earth against the effects of climate change, and also for search and rescue, pride, and support veterans.

With a Ship Captain Certificate and a bachelor’s of maritime studies from Memorial University, Newfoundland, along with his pursuit of a master’s degree in marine management, Johar’s credentials underscore his extensive expertise in the maritime field, spanning over 30 years. Johar began his career in the Merchant Navy when he was 18 years old. He has navigated seas around the globe as a captain. Before his current role as a senior advisor with Transport Canada’s Prairie and Northern Region’s Marine Safety and Security branch, he contributed his skills to BC Ferries. Johar has held a variety of managerial positions throughout his career, including as the regional director for the Transportation Security and Emergency Preparedness Branch.

His leadership is evident in the efforts he makes to improve marine safety measures, promote environmental conservation, and foster collaboration with Indigenous Communities. He is a spokesperson for a video with Inuktitut subtitles, which has received widespread praise for efforts to safeguard Canada’s pristine waters. Watch it here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YOiNPVwdiU

He is a community-minded person who goes above and past his personal needs despite his full-time work and the responsibilities he has with a young family. His ability, while balancing his personal and professional life, to engage in volunteer work is commendable.

As chairperson for the Winnipeg Public Library Board (now Winnipeg Public Library Board), he led initiatives to promote cultural diversification, improve community safety, and advance reconciliation between Indigenous communities. Johar is involved with many organizations, including the Global Citizen Movement, David Suzuki Foundation and Rotary International Club. He also works with the Royal Canadian Legion, Winnipeg Committee for Safety, World BEYOND War, CASARA and Rotary International Club.

He is a regular participant in the Winnipeg Pride Parade, a celebration of the GSRD community (Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diverse).

He has been a regular volunteer at the Winnipeg Folklorama Festival. The festival aims to celebrate cultural diversity and promote understanding. His wife Narinder Johar is a daycare teacher. His son Harsh is a student at a business school. Sage, his daughter, also attends the Folklorama. Harsh Johar and Sage Sage were recently selected as Ambassadors for Punjab Pavilion at Folklorama.

His collaborations with Forester Care Insurance in order to raise funds for Harvest Manitoba and Toys for Daycare as well as Beds for Children show his commitment to making an impact. He has inspired many community members to become volunteers for different organizations.

Among the organizations he supports regularly are the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada; Covenant House; the United Nations Refugee High Commissioner, the Kidney Foundation; the International Fund for Animal Welfare; the Canadian Red Cross; Diabetes Canada; the Cancer Research Society of Canada. Breast Cancer Canada.

Johar’s accolades include the prestigious Hind Rattan Award (Jewel of India) and the India Canada Culture and Heritage Association Distinguished Service Award.

Recently, he was invited by the University of Oxford to the Global Peace Summit. He has received recognition from deputy ministers of Transport Canada and the regional director general from Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) for his outstanding contribution to working with Indigenous communities, representing the Government of Canada. He received the National Creativity and Transformation Team award and has been acknowledged by Indigenous Canada for his participation in Treaty Annuities. Johar’s name has appeared in numerous news articles in Canada as well as abroad.

He recently joined the Naval Reserves to serve his nation.