Baltej Dhillon has been appointed as the new chair of WorkSafeBC’s board of directors, marking the first time a South Asian Canadian assumes this position. Dhillon, who has been a member of the board since 2017, will serve a three-year term starting from Friday, June 30, 2023. He succeeds Jeff Parr, who held the chairmanship from August 2020 to June 2023.
Expressing gratitude for Parr’s service, Harry Bains, the Minister of Labour, expressed his confidence in Dhillon’s abilities and commitment to enhancing the workers’ compensation system. Bains stated, “Baltej was a veteran police officer who brings expertise in law enforcement and six years of experience as a director at WorkSafeBC. He will be committed to WorkSafeBC’s role in investigating serious workplace incidents to prevent similar incidents from happening again.”
Dhillon boasts an impressive career as a police officer, spanning over three decades. Throughout his tenure, he served in various capacities, including intelligence, special enforcement, protective services, and investigations for significant cases such as the Air India task force and the Pickton case. Dhillon made history by becoming the first Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) member to wear a turban as part of the uniform. In recognition of his community service, he received both the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals.
Expressing enthusiasm about his new role, Dhillon expressed his commitment to collaborate with key stakeholders to enhance workplace health and safety, ensuring that workers return home safely each day. He looks forward to working with fellow board members and the dedicated staff at WorkSafeBC to further progress in improving the workers’ compensation system to cater to the needs of workers, employers, and other stakeholders across the province.
The appointment of the WorkSafeBC board of directors falls under the jurisdiction of the British Columbia Minister of Labour. The board members act as stewards of WorkSafeBC and the workers’ compensation system. According to the Workers Compensation Act, the board of directors must include representation from various fields, such as occupational health and safety, law enforcement, and actuarial expertise. Additionally, workers, employers, and the public interest must also be represented.
For more information on WorkSafeBC’s board of directors, please visit their official website: WorkSafeBC Board of Directors
