CELEBRATING MARTIN
Enter, Martin Rochon. A 21-year-old, fresh out of college young man, who joined CCMTA as an Administrative Assistant in 2001. Reporting to Audrey Henderson, Director of Programs, and a joint CCMTA/TAC Executive Director, Michel Gravel, CCMTA was a different organization in 2001 with a staff complement of only seven.
CCMTA has evolved and grown over the years, bringing on its first full-time, dedicated President and CEO, Allison Fradette in 2010, expanding its reach and mandate all in support of improving road safety. Martin has been along for the ride and took on increased responsibilities and roles, demonstrating his deep commitment and expertise in advancing the organization's mission.
At the 2026 CCMTA Annual Meeting, Martin Rochon was recognized with the Sean McAlister Service Recognition Award, celebrating his tremendous leadership and contributions to CCMTA, and for his remarkable 25 years of service to the organization. It is not every day that an employee is recognized for this incredible milestone. And there are few organizations, and far between, that can attest to having employees stay on for multiple decades.
During his tenure, Martin has worked closely with the Board of Directors and the greater road safety community across Canada to support critical road safety initiatives and create opportunities for dialogue and collaboration amongst member jurisdictions and partner organizations.
We are deeply grateful for his strategic leadership and the invaluable contributions he has made to CCMTA over his 25-year tenure.
Martin recently agreed to answer a few pointed questions about his experience, leadership, and what it means to work at CCMTA. Here are some of the highlights of that conversation:
[Q] Martin, what keeps you at CCMTA and keeps you motivated?
What keeps me motivated is the “why”. Why do we all choose to work in road safety in Canada? To help support the reduction of fatalities and serious injuries on Canada’s roads.
On average, five people die on Canada's roads each day. That adds up to almost 2,000 people killed in road crashes and another 10,000 who are seriously injured while using Canada’s road transportation system every year.
CCMTA’s work is meaningful, impactful, and touches every family across the country. It’s important to keep reminding ourselves of that every day.
Also, what keeps me at CCMTA is the people. Whether its CCMTA staff (past and present) or the CCMTA membership. It’s a great group of dedicated, open, and fun individuals who make you feel comfortable and that you belong. The road safety community is very welcoming and appreciative.
[Q] Tell us about the accomplishments you are most proud of?
Modernization, renewal, and transformation come to mind. A lot changes and evolves in 25 years. Whether it’s modernizing the way we connect, the way we work, collaborate, and communicate. Renewing data sharing agreements, rebuilding our financial reporting, transforming our image, etc. I am proud to have been part of and lead many of these changes during my tenure providing a platform and enabling our members and staff to be more efficient in achieving their road safety goals.
[Q] What has been the most rewarding for you so far?
Traveling to every part of Canada has been the most rewarding. Not many people can say that they have visited every province and territory in Canada. We are fortunate as an organization that our Annual Meeting rotates locations annually providing each province, territory, and the Federal Government an opportunity to host. In particular, visiting and hosting in the territories has been the most fulfilling. Especially, the planning and executing of the 2013 CCMTA Annual Meeting in Iqaluit, NU. This event was challenging in many ways because of the limited resources and infrastructure available, the cost of hosting, and the weather (there was a blizzard or two while we were there in early May!). But it provided great opportunity to be resourceful, creative, to learn from Inuit people and to appreciate the northern culture first-hand. It was a great gift that we were able to provide our members and staff.
[Q] What goal at CCMTA would you like to reach next?
Be the first CCMTA staff member to retire from CCMTA with 35+ years of service! Following in the footsteps of my earlier colleagues with long tenures: Sylvain Tremblay with 30+ years of service, Audrey Henderson, Ian Tomlinson, Valerie Todd, and Rick Vantour with 25+ years of service.
[Q] Would you like to share anything else?
I would like to thank those leaders who provided me with opportunities and who took the time to mentor me over the years namely Audrey Henderson (former CCMTA Director of Programs), Sarah Wells (TAC Executive Director), Allison Fradette (former CCMTA President and CEO), and Linda McAusland, CCMTA President and CEO. My tenure would also not be possible without the support of past and current colleagues, especially Martin Jackson, Patricia Simpson, and Brad Holland. Lastly, a shout out to past CCMTA Board members who provided me with guidance and coaching along the way including Ward Keith, Vern Janz, Marnie Kacher, and Steve Loutitt.
