Top 25 Awards celebrates immigrant successes: Watch video

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. 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 leveraging his professional skills. He works with different organizations to promote diversity and equity, as well as inclusivity. He also helps safeguard Mother Earth and protect it from climate change.

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 as a merchant navy captain at the age of 18. He has navigated seas around the world as a ship’s 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 apparent in his efforts to improve marine safety, advocate for conservation of the environment and foster collaboration between 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 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 to balance his professional and personal life while doing volunteer work is commendable. He has earned the appreciation of all.

As chairperson of Winnipeg Public Library Board he led efforts in promoting cultural diversity, improving community safety, and advancing reconciliation with 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 volunteered regularly at the Winnipeg Folklorama Festival which aims to promote cultural understanding and celebrate diversity. 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 and Sage have been selected as ambassadors for the Punjab Pavilion in 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 dedication to making an impact. He has inspired members of the community to volunteer for various organizations.

He also supports a number 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’s name has appeared in numerous news articles in Canada as well as abroad.

To serve his country he recently joined the Naval Reserves.