Federal Labour Minister Filomena Tassi announced four appointments to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) on January 18.

Joining as governors representing employers and provincial and territorial governments are Candace DiCresce, Kurt Dieckmann, Cheryl Paynter and Daniel G. Strand. Each will serve for a term of four years. 

"I wish to congratulate the four new Governors representing employers and provinces and territories who have been appointed to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety,” said Tassi. “They will bring a wealth of expertise, knowledge and experience to help keep Canadian workers safe and healthy in the workplace." 

DiCresce joins CCOHS has a governor representing employers. She is a senior director with Rogers Communications, and has held positions with responsibility for safety, occupational hygiene, environmental management and sustainability at the Toronto Transit Commission—among others.

Dieckmann, who is president and chief executive officer of the Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board, joins as the governor representing the Yukon.

Paynter, the chief executive officer of the Workers Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island, joins as governor representing that province, while Strand is the new governor representing British Columbia. He is also the Director of Prevention Field Services in the Prevention Services division at WorkSafeBC.

The CCOHS supports industries, employers and workers in improving health and safety programs. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, the CCOHS has developed a series of tools and resources, such as pandemic guidance tip sheets, and made them available for free on their website to support industries, employers and workers during the pandemic. 

CCOHS has also created an online space, Pandemic Info Share, to enable businesses and organizations to share their pandemic-related good practices and resources.

The CCOHS, which is located in Hamilton, was created in 1978 to promote the total well-being of working Canadians. It provides unbiased and relevant information that supports responsible decision-making on health and safety issues in the workplace.

The organization is governed by a tripartite council representing the federal, provincial and territorial governments, employers and workers.