The Maple Leaf Unites Us All, An Interview with CAN Fund Founder Jane Roos

The Maple Leaf Unites Us All, An Interview with CAN Fund Founder Jane Roos

Author: Canadian Government Executive December 17, 2020 Duration: 27:28

Jane Roos was a promising track athlete before a devastating car accident ended her athletic career at age 19. Jane turned this life lesson into helping Canadian athletes and started the Canadian Athletes Now Fund, a not-for-profit organization. As a former athlete herself, Jane saw a need. In order for Canada's elite athletes to compete on the world stage, they must have money to pay for proper training, coaching, nutrition and living expenses.

At the 2006 Olympic Games, Jane was honored with the Live Olympic Award. This is an international award given to only 20 people. For the past seven years, Jane has been recognized by CAAWS as one of the most Influential Women in Sport. The Globe & Mail selected Jane as one of the Most Influential People in Sport and at the 36th Canadian Sports Awards; Jane was the recipient of the Leadership in Sports Award.

In January 2010, knowing a Gold medal has never been won on Canadian soil, CAN Fund launched the Sprott Gold Metal Celebration. For every GOLD medal won by a Canadian athlete, $100,000 would be donated by Sprott Asset Management and the Sprott Foundation to CAN Fund to support athletes training for London 2012. CAN Fund directly supported 80 per cent of the Canadian athletes who competed in Sochi and has raised over $21 million dollars to date.

Jane is also a very successful artist with "See Jane Paint". Her paintings are sold across Canada and New York, and she has created a number of commission paintings for corporate Canada and charity. Owner of the Jane Roos Gallery, in downtown Toronto, Jane exhibits her paintings and other Canadian artists.

To date, CAN Fund has raised more than $40 million.

Hear the extraordinary story of Jane Roos, the founder of Canadian Athletes Now, an artist, a fundraiser and a leader extraordinaire, and how you can help Canadian athletes compete on the world stage, in this episode of CGE Radio.


For decades, Canadian Government Executive has been the essential print and digital publication for those navigating the complex machinery of the public service. Canadian Government Executive Radio extends that legacy into audio, creating a direct channel for conversation about the policies, technologies, and leadership shaping governance from town halls to Parliament Hill. This podcast moves beyond press releases and official statements to explore the real-world implementation of ideas. Each episode features candid discussions with deputy ministers, city managers, IT directors, and frontline innovators who are tasked with turning legislation into action. You’ll hear about the challenges of digital transformation, the intersection of cybersecurity and citizen services, and the evolving nature of public sector leadership in a time of rapid change. It’s a forum for the people who build, manage, and protect the programs that define Canadian society. By focusing on the practical expertise of senior officials and the technologists enabling modern government, this series provides context and clarity that you won’t find in daily news coverage. Tune in for a nuanced perspective on how decisions are made, how technology is adopted, and how public service executives are steering their organizations toward the future. This is where policy meets practice, offering listeners an insider’s understanding of the forces that govern.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Canadian Government Executive Radio
Podcast Episodes
AI in the Public Sector: Balancing Innovation and Security [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:48
Join J. Richard Jones on the latest episode of CGE Radio as he welcomes Cate Takemori, Head of Public Sector, Microsoft Canada for a discussion about current AI adoption in the Canadian public sector. As the Public Secto…
End Times and New Times [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:35
On the latest episode of CGE Radio J. Richard Jones welcomes Lori Turnbull, Professor at Dalhousie University and Deputy Editor at Canadian Government Executive along with Michael Wernick who holds the Jarislowsky Chair…
Technology in Language Training [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:42
This week J. Richard Jones welcomes Jeremy Frohlich, COO of LRDG to CGE Radio. Jeremy is a proud girl-dad embracing the opportunities and challenges in his new role at the family business, a legacy started by his father…
Thoughtful Innovation in Canadian Public Facilities Management [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:56
Join host, J. Richard Jones as he welcomes Jonathan Burbee, Director of Business Development, Canada for Gordian to CGE Radio. They sit down for an enlightening discussion about innovative public facilities management. G…
Leveraging Technology Collaboration for Better Citizen Services [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:15
In this episode of CGE Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Mark Lambert, Senior Managing Director, Canada Public Service Lead, Accenture. They have a lively discussion about public and private collaboration, IT s…
Leveraging Technology Collaboration for Better Citizen Services [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:15
In this episode of CGE Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Mark Lambert, Senior Managing Director, Canada Public Service Lead, Accenture. They have a lively discussion about public and private collaboration, IT s…
CGE Weekly – episode 11 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:41
Host, J. Richard Jones and CGE editor-in-chief, Dr. Lori Turnbull, once again weigh in on the hot topics of the week concerning Canadian government and the public sector. Plus, get a sneak peek inside the upcoming CGE Le…