The Manitoba government has reinstated the Advisory Council on Workplace Safety and Health, appointing 13 members to advise on occupational safety issues, Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino announced today.
“Every worker in Manitoba deserves to come home safe at the end of the workday,” Marcelino said. “Re-establishing the Advisory Council on Workplace Safety and Health is a priority for our government and an important step in strengthening worker protections for Manitobans.”
The council, which was dissolved by the previous government in 2018, will provide recommendations on legislative and regulatory changes related to workplace safety. Its duties include reviewing the Workplace Safety and Health Act every five years and reporting findings to the minister.
Johanna Willows, a labour, employment and human rights lawyer who teaches labour studies at the University of Manitoba, has been appointed as chair of the council.
The appointed members represent workers, employers, and technical and professional bodies. They include:
- Blaine Duncan (Winnipeg): Safety and health specialist with the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union; over 30 years of experience in occupational health and safety.
- Julie Lackner (Oakbank): Labour relations and workplace health and safety officer for the Manitoba Nurses Union; licensed practical nurse.
- Rick Rennie (Winnipeg): Workplace health and safety director for the Manitoba Federation of Labour; vice-chair of the board of the MFL Occupational Health Centre.
- Phil Kraychuk (Oakbank): Negotiator for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 832; part-time commissioner (worker representative) on the Workers Compensation Appeal Commission.
- Neal Curry (Winnipeg): Executive director of Made Safe; member of the Workers Compensation Board Prevention Advisory Council.
- Sean Scott (Winnipeg): Executive director of the Construction Safety Association of Manitoba; vice-chair of the Manitoba Industry-Based Safety Programs Council.
- Jacquelyn Oduro (Winnipeg): Director of the WorkSafely Program at the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association; chair of the Industry Based Safety Program Council.
- Ron Van Denakker (Winnipeg): Executive director for the Manitoba Association for Safety in Healthcare; member of the Prevention Advisory Council.
- Elizabeth Houtkooper (Winnipeg): Occupational health nurse at the MFL Occupational Health Centre.
- Deborah Jamerson (Winnipeg): Former Workplace Safety and Health representative for the Manitoba government; over 40 years of experience representing union members.
Technical representatives:
- Joey Bellino: Regional practice leader in occupational hygiene and safety for Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario Region at Pinchin Ltd.
- Ray Solski: Superintendent of health, safety, and risk management at Vale; over 16 years of experience in the mining industry.
The council’s re-establishment reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing workplace safety standards across the province.
