New official vows to strengthen the workers’ compensation system
WorkSafeBC board member William Laird Cronk has been appointed chair of the agency’s board of directors for a three-year term, effective Feb. 26, 2026, replacing outgoing chair Baltej Dhillon.
The appointment was made by B.C. Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside, who said Cronk will lead WorkSafeBC’s efforts to prevent workplace injury and illness, strengthen compliance and support injured workers through the provincial workers’ compensation system.
“As the new chair, William Laird Cronk’s focus will be on working with WorkSafeBC to prevent workplace injury and illness, promote safe workplaces through strong compliance and ensure meaningful programs are in place to help injured workers. I look forward to working with him,” Whiteside said in a statement.
Dhillon – who has chaired the board since June 2023 – is stepping aside to focus on his responsibilities as a Canadian senator. Whiteside thanked him for his “invaluable leadership,” noting his role in advancing more inclusive and safe workplaces, including measures to ensure turban-wearing Sikhs can participate more fully in the workforce. She also cited his support for new return-to-work requirements designed to better assist injured workers.
Cronk’s background in labour and safety
Cronk is a Red Seal electrician who spent more than two decades working in the marine, communication, commercial, industrial and residential sectors in British Columbia. He currently serves as a vice-chair of the WorkSafeBC board and has been active in labour and industry leadership roles.
The provincial government said Cronk brings first-hand experience and extensive knowledge of workplace safety, compliance and organizational oversight to the chair’s position, supporting continuity in the agency’s governance and decision-making.
“It’s an honour to take on this role,” Cronk said. “Workers deserve safe workplaces and fair treatment if they’re injured on the job. I am committed to working with the board, staff and key stakeholders to strengthen the workers’ compensation system in our province to meet the needs of the workers and employers who rely on it.”
The WorkSafeBC board of directors is appointed by the B.C. minister of labour and acts as steward of the province’s workers’ compensation system. Under the Workers Compensation Act, the board must include professionals from fields such as occupational health and safety, law enforcement and actuarial science, as well as representatives of workers, employers and the public interest.
WorkSafeBC previously announced that the preliminary average base premium rate for British Columbia employers will remain at $1.55 per $100 of assessable payroll in 2026.
