The Government of Canada Announces the Appointment of a New Governor to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, announced the appointment of Mr. Sylvester Wong as governor representing the Northwest Territories on the Council of Governors of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Board (CCOHS), effective immediately.

"Mr. Wong has a great deal of experience in the field of occupational health and safety," said Minister Blackburn. "His combined experience and practical knowledge should prove to be an asset to the Centre."

Mr. Wong has gained extensive experience in occupational health and safety. From 1982 to 1996, he worked as Mining Engineer and Inspector of mines for the Government of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Wong then held the position of Chief Inspector of Mines, Workers' Compensation Board until 2007, and is now Vice President, Prevention Services, Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission, both for the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Mr. Wong has shown his commitment to occupational health and safety through his involvement in a number of committees, including the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada's Safety Prevention Committee, and the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission's Stakeholder Focus Committee.

Mr. Wong holds a degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Alberta. He is a professional engineer registered with the Association of Professionals, Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and with the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta.

The internationally known CCOHS, located in Hamilton, Ontario, was created in 1978 to promote the fundamental right of Canadians to a healthy and safe working environment. Governed by the federal, provincial and territorial governments, employers and workers, the Centre provides Canadians with unbiased and relevant information that supports responsible decision-making on health and safety issues in the workplace.