Our Board Members

The Honorable Vern White

The Honorable Vern White served as a Canadian Senator until 2022 and is a Visiting Fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Vern previously served as Police Chief of Ottawa and held senior roles in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, reaching Assistant Commissioner. 

With a career spanning operational and administrative policing, Vern has worked across Canada, including in remote territories. Vern is an Adjunct Professor at Charles Sturt University and has held teaching roles at several institutions, including the University of Ottawa and Carleton University.

Vern joined the Penington Institute Board in 2020. 

Australia cannot arrest its way out of its drug problems – reducing drug-related harm requires innovative, evidence-based policy responses.

Vern White

The Honourable Vern White, Board Member