Building language skills for career success

Senior Advisor, Transport Canada

City: Winnipeg

Country of origin: India

Jaideep Johar’s story is one of unwavering commitment and resilience in Winnipeg, Canada. In 2005, his journey from India to Canada marked the start of a remarkable adventure despite a year long struggle to find employment.

His perseverance, sincerity, and strong belief in ethics and values helped him adapt to the new environment. Johar has helped new immigrants settle in by utilizing his best professional skills. He collaborates with different organizations in order to promote diversity, equality and inclusivity, to ensure sustainable living, to safeguard Mother Earth’s impacts from climate change, and also support search and rescue efforts.

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 been a captain of ships all over the world. 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 held various management positions during his career. He was also the regional director of Transportation Security and Emergency Preparedness.

His leadership is evident in the efforts he makes to improve marine safety measures, promote environmental conservation and foster collaborations 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 goes above and beyond the needs of his family and his demanding job to give back to the community. 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 CASARA, Royal Canadian Legion Winnipeg Committee for Safety, World BEYOND War, 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 volunteered regularly at the Winnipeg Folklorama Festival which aims to promote cultural understanding and celebrate diversity. His family, including wife Narinder Johar who is a daycare teacher and son Harsh a student at a business school, and daughter Sage participate in the Folklorama each year. 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 members of the community to volunteer for various organizations.

He also supports a variety of organizations including the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. Covenant House. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The Kidney Foundation.

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

He was recently invited to the Global Peace Summit held at the University of Oxford. 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 has appeared in several news articles both in Canada and abroad.

He recently joined the Naval Reserves to serve his nation.