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CIO Association of Canada

The premiere community of CIOs, CISOs and IT Leaders in Canada

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Enjoy new stories and one of the best compilations of Women in Technology content on the web.

CIOCAN Peer Forum 2024

The CIO Association of Canada’s annual conference, the CIO Peer Forum, is a vibrant community event for attendees and the profession.

We’re setting the standard for IT professionalism

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Boost your performance

Learn new solutions from your peers, industry experts and vendor partners in a safe environment.

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Connect and get inspired

Engage in casual and formal networking online and in-person near you. Attend top events like the CIO Peer Forum.

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Advance your
career

Build a professional profile and develop your leadership skills through training and collaborating with industry peers.

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impact

Share your experience with the world. Make an impact on the profession and future generations of IT executives.

Navigating the IT and Telecom Challenges of Today: A Guide for IT Leaders

Posted on behalf of the CIO Association of Canada’s sponsor Sunco Communication and Installation Ltd. Navigating the ever-evolving landscape of IT and Telecom can be a daunting task for IT …

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Embracing Change in Data Strategy for Sustained Growth and Innovation

By Duncan McGregor, CIO, Shinydocs. Posted on behalf of the CIO Association of Canada’s sponsor Shinydocs. In the rapidly evolving world of technology, it is crucial as business and technology …

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The CIO Association of Canada Announces 2nd VP Appointment

January 16, 2023 by National President

2023 CIO Peer Forum Wrap-Up

With the Peer Forum now in our rear-view mirror, we are highlighting some of the activities from the event. Speaker slide decks are now available to members in the Info …

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CIO Association of Canada Expands National Footprint

The CIO Association of Canada (CIOCAN) is proud to announce its expansion with a new chapter of CIO’s and technology leaders in Atlantic Canada.

QRX Technology Group Inc and Slater Hill Digital Join Forces to Revolutionize the Digital Transformation and Print Markets

Posted on behalf of the CIO Association of Canada’s sponsor QRX Technology Group Inc. TORONTO (January 27, 2023) – QRX Technology Group Inc (www.qrxtech.com) and Slater Hill Incorporated (www.slaterhill.com) have …

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The CIO Association of Canada Announces Executive Director Appointment

January 16, 2023 by National President

Welcome Kent Smith, New Manitoba Chapter President

Impacting the economy through Innovation Leadership Security The CIO Association of Canada (CIOCAN) is pleased to announce the election of a chapter president for Manitoba. The Manitoba Chapter is pleased …

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Welcome Peter Holowka, New Vancouver Chapter President

Impacting the economy through Innovation Leadership Security The CIO Association of Canada (CIOCAN) is pleased to announce the election of a chapter president for Vancouver. We welcome Peter Holowka in …

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Welcome Kyoko Kobayashi, New Toronto Chapter President

Impacting the economy through Innovation Leadership Security The CIO Association of Canada (CIOCAN) is pleased to announce the election of a chapter president for Toronto. A big welcome to Kyoko …

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Welcome Ross Ballendine, New Calgary Chapter President

Impacting the economy through Innovation Leadership Security The CIO Association of Canada (CIOCAN) is pleased to announce the election of a chapter president for Calgary. In Calgary Ross Ballendine, Vice …

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Reimagining Your Workplace: A People-First Approach

As the future of work appears closer than ever before, CIOs will play a more integral role in shaping the day-to-day life of organizations than they ever imagined. The choices …

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Member Insights

Dr. Peter Holowka

Director of Educational Technology, West Point Grey Academy

“I have been a member of CIOCAN for nearly 20 years. It’s a phenomenal organization that allows for the exchange of good ideas (and hard lessons learned) among members across industries. I have always been impressed by the quality of the people who are a part of CIOCAN. Moreover, I was pleasantly surprised by how much is in common across industries when leading IT. From forestry to education to banking to hospitality to municipalities, the IT considerations are more similar than different. I often found that I was able to take the good ideas from other IT leaders in different industries and then become an example for others to follow in my industry –of course, giving credit along the way. The CIO Association of Canada was instrumental in my professional growth and success over the years. If I could be part of only one professional association, this would be the one I would choose.”

Shari Wallace

CIO, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver

I have been a member of the Vancouver Chapter of the CIO Association of Canada for about 20 years and have held a number of board positions during that time, including chapter president and membership of the Peer Forum organizing committee.  In the early years of my career as a new IT director, the CIO Association was instrumental in introducing me to a wider group of senior IT executives both locally and nationally. Their knowledge and experience helped me understand that many of my day-to-day challenges were shared with other professionals in other industries.  That sense of a safe space and common experience was invaluable in building confidence in my new role, and in providing ballast for difficult discussions within my own organization.  I consider many of the CIOs in the local chapter to be friends as well as trusted colleagues.  Beyond the local chapter, the CIO Association has also extended the reach of my network into the local partner and educational community, including Simon Fraser University where CIOCAN and SFU jointly offer the Technology Leadership Program to help IT professionals learn the necessary skills to progress to the CIO level.  As a seasoned CIO, I am also happy to be able to provide mentoring opportunities for senior IT professionals – both through SFU and the CIO Association’s own program.  For me, CIOCAN represents community.

Shaun Guthrie

SVP, Technology & eCommerce, Peavey Industries LP

“A great deal of my career success is because of my participation in the CIO Association of Canada. It’s important to surround yourself with those who are smarter and have more experience, and the Association has given me access to those such people. Being an active member and gaining knowledge from those peers has not only grown me personally but also has had a direct impact on my results at the office. Lastly, the CIO Association of Canada has given me an opportunity to give back to the Technology Community by being part of the local Chapter Board as President and now at the National Board as National Director of Membership. “

Philippe Johnston

VP and CTO – The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority

Philippe Johnston is currently the VP and CTO of The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority and the
President of the CIO Association of Canada. Prior to joining the CATSA / ACSTA in January 2024, he was the Chief Information Officer for the National Research Council Canada. Philippe was also the CIO for NSERC and SSHRC, and has been a digital leader, innovator and transformer for over 25 years.