Workplace Safety North (WSN), the Northern Ontario-based health and safety organization, has named Mike Parent as interim president and chief executive officer
Parent previously served as the organization’s vice president of health and safety services since 2015, and is a former paramedic, miner, mine rescue volunteer, and mining health and safety manager, said a news release from WSN. He is currently the Greater Sudbury city councillor for Ward 5.
Lydia Renton, chair of the WSN board of directors, said the organization was pleased with the appointment.
"The board was unanimous in their choice of Mike as interim CEO and is confident that he will lead the organization in building on its successes and executing a transformative strategic plan designed to bring every worker home safe and healthy,” said Renton.
With more than eight years’ experience in Ontario’s prevention system, Parent has established a reputation as a strong and collaborative leader in health and safety promotion, said the release.
“I got into health and safety because I wanted to make a difference,” Parent said in the release.
“As interim president and CEO, this is an opportunity to make a difference at a provincial level.”
As a senior leader, Parent managed a team of mining health and safety consultants, trainers and specialists. His expert industry knowledge will help drive innovation in the provincial mine rescue program, health and safety products, training programs, and outreach strategies for the province’s mining and forest products operations, said the release.
Parent is replacing former WSN president and CEO Paul Andre, who has retired.
The board of directors will initiate a search to identify a permanent CEO, said the release.
