Tara Peel and Dave Kramer will join Council of Governors
The federal government has announced the appointment of two highly qualified individuals to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) Council of Governors. Tara Peel and Dave Kramer have been selected to serve on this influential body for a four-year term.
Peel, known for her extensive experience in the labour sector, has been appointed as the employee representative. Peel is a key member of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) senior management team, where she oversees the CLC Health and Safety and Environment department.
Her background includes a significant role as the former national director of this department, offering a wealth of knowledge from a worker's perspective. Prior to her involvement with CLC, Ms. Peel was instrumental in shaping health, safety, and environmental priorities at the Manitoba Federation of Labour. She previously served on the CCOHS Council of Governors from 2017 to 2021, further enriching her familiarity with national and provincial health and safety regulations, standards, policies, and best practices.
Meanwhile, Dave Kramer takes on the role of the Manitoba representative, bringing with him a record of leadership in occupational health and safety. Kramer currently serves as the vice president of SAFE Work Manitoba (SWMB) within the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) in Manitoba. With a career at WCB/SWMB dating back to 2002, he has held various significant positions, including portfolio leader, sector manager, and director, assessment services.
Kramer has also been an active participant and contributor to WCB Manitoba's Bargaining Committee and has played key roles in various committees such as the Flexible Work Arrangement Committee and Joint Pension Advisor Committee. His experience reflects a strong commitment to engaging and supporting stakeholders and promoting safety programs aimed at fostering a secure work environment.
The CCOHS Council of Governors is recognized as a tripartite council, embracing representatives from federal, provincial, and territorial governments, as well as employers and workers. This collaborative approach ensures a balanced perspective on workplace health and safety issues.
Minister of Labour and Seniors, Seamus O'Regan Jr., underscored the importance of this appointment and the role of the CCOHS Council of Governors in advancing safety and inclusivity in workplaces. “The CCOHS Council of Governors makes our workplaces safer, healthier, and more inclusive. Tripartism — unions, employers, and governments working together — makes that possible. Tara and Dave will be strong representatives on the Council."
CCOHS is a federal departmental corporation, reporting to the Parliament of Canada through the Minister of Labour and Seniors. Its mission is to provide a comprehensive occupational health and safety service, and the tripartite Council of Governors plays a crucial part in achieving this goal by ensuring that all stakeholders have a voice in shaping workplace safety initiatives.
The appointments of Peel and Kramer represent a significant step towards enhancing occupational health and safety in Canada, and they are expected to contribute their expertise towards the betterment of workplaces across the nation.
