Connecting and Assisting Canadian Public Safety Organizations
Connecting and Assisting Canadian Public Safety Organizations
About Us
CanOps consists of subject matter experts in Public Safety, Security, and Emergency Services. We support public and private sector organizations with initiatives that require a high degree of specialization, technical expertise, and experience.
Faced with modern challenges and fiscal constraints, public safety organizations are being called to increase efficiency and adopt innovative models to meet the needs of Canadians. At the same time, Federal, Provincial, and Territorial policies are increasingly focused on reducing direct government involvement, asking everyone to do more with less.
CanOps, with its virtual structure and foundation in public safety, is well positioned to address this landscape. As a non-profit, and broadly representative organization, we offer a trusted framework for operational support and governance—without expanding government capacity.
Our unique composition and national scope allow for strategic decisions with collective impact. We work to expand funding options, simplify oversight, improve efficiency, and drive the development of technologies, operational models, and greater integration across Canada’s public safety system.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors provides stewardship of CanOps, ensuring strict adherence to our mission, as well as budget oversight and overall governance. The Board establishes strategic oversight and maintains robust fiduciary governance, while formally delegating daily operational management to the Corporate Office. Through this structured framework, the Board secures the institution’s financial health, safeguards the public trust, and advances our commitment to Public Safety in Canada.
Corporate Office
Led by the President and Executive Management Team, Corporate Office is responsible for the organization’s day-to-day management and for implementing the strategic direction set by the Board. Operating under the Board’s delegation and guided by the Governing Council’s strategic oversight, it ensures that corporate governance decisions are effectively translated into operational actions.
“To provide innovative public safety solutions and services by bridging people, communities, industries, and governments with the resources they need; to build an extensive and accessible network of experts in their respective fields; and to empower and inspire our employees.”
To be leaders in integrated public safety solutions and sustainable innovation that serve Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
To be leaders in integrated public safety solutions and sustainable innovation that serve Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
At CanOps our purpose is to empower public safety in Canada by delivering services, tools, and support that help communities and responders stay safe, prepared, and resilient.
About Us
Joanne Johnson
Interim President
Rob Howie
Vice President of Business Solutions and Technology
Rob Howie is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in technology-driven organizations, specializing in strategic leadership, digital transformation, and sales strategy.
As Vice President of IT & Business Solutions at CanOps, he leads innovation and digital transformation initiatives, supporting the development and delivery of public safety solutions across Canada. Rob is known for building high-performing teams and fostering strong partnerships that drive organizational growth and success.
Mieka Pittman
Vice President of National Strategy, Employee Wellness and Learning
Gary Douglas Ross, M.O.M.
Director
Chief Superintendent (Retired) Doug Ross brings over 35 years of distinguished public safety and executive leadership experience to the CanOps Board of Directors. Over a career spanning the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canadian Forces Military Police, he has specialized in leading complex public safety operations, national training standards, and mission-critical technology initiatives.
Doug’s executive portfolio includes serving as Director General of the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), Director of Academics and Police Sciences at the Canadian Police College, and Deputy Head of the Field Component for the European Union Police Mission (EUPOL) in Afghanistan. A highly collaborative leader, he also co-chaired the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) Information and Communications Technology Committee.
In recognition of his exceptional career and dedication to Canadian policing, Doug was appointed as a Member of the Order of Merit (M.O.M.) of the Police Forces and awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Blair Swystun
Director
Blair Swystun is a retired senior executive highly experienced in strategy, performance management, governance, corporate finance, and government. He has served as President and CEO of Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan government’s holding company for commercial Crown corporations.
Blair holds Bachelor of Science and MBA degrees, is a CFA charter holder, and holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. He has served on a variety of for-profit, not-for-profit, pension, and professional association boards, including currently the Credit Union Deposit and Guarantee Corporation of Saskatchewan, and the Ranch Ehrlo Society (board chair), a large not-for-profit providing human services in Saskatchewan.
Katrine White
Vice Chair
Katrine White is a senior executive with over 20 years of leadership experience in strategic planning, business development, and operations. She previously served as President of SecurTek and as Vice-President of Consumer Sales and Solutions at SaskTel, along with other leadership roles within SaskTel and SaskTel Mobility.
Katrine holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan and a marketing certificate from Queen’s University. She has served as Chair of the Hospitals of Regina Foundation Board and is currently a board member for the University of Regina Rams.
She is also active in her community as a group fitness leader and enjoys traveling and spending time at the lake with her family.
Sharf Chowdhury
Board Member
Sharf Chowdhury is a senior leader in health emergency management with over a decade of experience supporting complex healthcare systems. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Disaster and Emergency Studies from Brandon University.
A Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), Sharf is an active member of the International Association of Emergency Managers, where he has served in multiple leadership roles, including on the Board of Directors. He also contributes to national standards development through HSO 9002 and CSA Z1600 technical committees.
Sharf has served on the Boards of the Canadian Journal of Emergency Management and CanOps, supporting professional practice and knowledge sharing. He currently serves as Regional Director and Chief Emergency Management Officer for Horizon Health Network in New Brunswick.
Jeff Brooks
Board Chair
Jeff Brooks has over 35 years of experience in Emergency Medical Services, beginning as a frontline paramedic and retiring as a Paramedic Chief. He holds a Master of Public Safety and a Graduate Diploma in Emergency Management from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Jeff has held leadership roles at both provincial and national levels, including serving as the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada representative on the CITIG Board and as Provincial Lead for interoperability initiatives in Ontario. He has also worked extensively with Canadian and U.S. partners on cross-border interoperability.
He is a Certified Municipal Manager and holds EMS Executive and Emergency Management Professional designations. Jeff currently serves as Emergency Manager for the County of Elgin and Manager of the Middlesex Elgin Fire School.
