In this exclusive CanadianSME Small Business Magazine interview, Peter Evans, CEO of Xtract One Technologies, shares how Xtract One is transforming physical security through innovative solutions that enhance safety while improving the patron experience. Drawing on more than 25 years of leadership in technology and security, Peter discusses the role of innovation in helping organizations modernize security operations and address evolving challenges.
A four-time high-tech CEO, Peter has led growth and transformation across multiple technology companies, including senior leadership roles at IBM, where he helped shape security strategies for emerging technologies.
Canada is generally seen as a safe country with tight gun laws—why should Canadian businesses, schools, and hospitals still be thinking about weapons detection as a priority, and what trends are you watching that leaders might be underestimating?
Canada is often viewed as a safe environment, and in many ways that’s true—but that doesn’t mean it’s immune to these issues. It’s trending similarly to countries like Australia, Japan, the UK, and France, which are addressing the challenge with similar, tight gun laws. Just like safety procedures for employees, fire drills, sprinkler systems, badge systems, companies need to take proactive steps to ensure individuals want to feel protected, not just be told a location is statistically safe.
The reality is that threats to public spaces have increased. In 2023, Canada recorded 14,416 firearm-related incidents—up 55% between 2013 and 2023—with Toronto alone accounting for 17% of the national total and 52% of Ontario’s cases. Despite recent improvements in the past year, Toronto’s gun violence rate surged by 80% from 2013 to 2023.
As seen in a 12-day trial period of our system in Truro, Nova Scotia, SmartGateway successfully scanned 7,400 individuals entering the facility and detected 49 prohibited items during that period. Mostly pocket knives and box cutters were detected, proving that weapons detection—exceeding just for firearms—is a necessity.
Many organizations worry that stronger security will create a harsh, airport‑style checkpoint—how can businesses ensure a safe environment without turning their entrances into negative, TSA‑like experiences for staff, customers, or patients?
It’s important to recognize that modern security problems require modern solutions to address them. Traditional screening systems were built around harsh checkpoints that stopped people and searched their belongings, but today, organizations are looking for strong protection that doesn’t disrupt how people naturally move through a space. As global demand for modern, frictionless security solutions grows, security technology companies are increasingly competing on the international stage to deliver fast entry, frictionless experiences, digital insights, and above all, higher degrees of security. Our technology demonstrates how domestic innovation can not only meet national procurement priorities, but also outperform traditional screening systems by delivering more accurate detection and faster, frictionless entry experiences. At the same time, innovations in AI-powered detection systems are helping organizations address modern threat environments while maintaining seamless operational workflows.
You’ve deployed Xtract One systems in places as varied as hospitals, schools, stadiums, museums, and corporate campuses—what does that breadth of use tell you about who really has a weapons‑detection problem, and how do needs differ across sectors?
The need for weapons detection exists in almost every public environment. Whether it’s hospitals, schools, stadiums, museums, or corporate campuses, today’s modern threats are creating unique risk environments across industries, and protecting people—while keeping operations running smoothly—remains a priority. What changes across these environments is how people move through the area and what specific needs must be met. For example, in schools and hospitals, people carry backpacks, laptops, medical equipment, and other personal belongings throughout their day. In these use cases, it’s important that security systems accurately detect and report.
Our approach uses AI-powered sensors for object identification to distinguish prohibited objects and weapons from everyday items, eliminating the need for bag checks, X-ray machines, or secondary screening of harmless belongings. Nova Scotia Health specifically selected us for our system’s proven accuracy in detecting knives—a top priority for the organization. SmartGateway’s ability to accurately detect knives in a fast and discreet manner prioritizes privacy and comfort, while at the same time minimizing security screening to protect the organization’s healthcare workers, patients, and visitors.
As the only Canadian company specializing in advanced weapons detection, how is Xtract One balancing “Buy Canadian” expectations and domestic innovation with the need to compete and prove your technology on a global stage?
Across Canada, provincial governments have mandated prioritization of domestic suppliers through “Buy Canadian” procurement policies. Canadian organizations are adapting to these procurement standards while continuing to implement modern security technologies that protect people and property. As the only Canadian company specializing in advanced weapons detection technology, we offer institutions and organizations a compliant path to upgrading their security infrastructure, while at the same time supporting domestic innovation and economic resilience.
We’re already working with some forward-thinking organizations taking a proactive approach to security, including Nova Scotia Health and Manitoba Health, which are setting prime examples of how Canadian companies can support local businesses like ours by securing their communities.
For Canadian leaders who know they need to modernize their physical security but don’t know where to start, what lessons learned or best practices would you share—from assessing risk and choosing technology to integrating AI‑powered systems without disrupting everyday operations?
Canadian leaders need to understand the actual risk environment within their own facilities. With solutions built for environments such as religious institutions, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers, the focus is on delivering effective security while maintaining a positive experience for people moving through those spaces. In environments like schools, hospitals, and corporate campuses, where individuals are carrying the full range of personal items and metal objects, security should be designed to screen for threats on entry and protect assets on exit without disrupting that flow. The most important lesson is that taking a multi-tiered approach to security—one that blends technology with human oversight—is crucial for accurately screening for weapons, understanding the data the systems capture, adjusting for seamless operations, and maintaining safe environments for the future.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Our platform is dedicated to fostering dialogue and sharing insights that inspire and empower small and medium-sized businesses across Canada.
