Workplace Safety North’s board of directors has officially appointed Mike Parent as the organization’s president and CEO.
Parent has been filling the role on an interim basis since September 2023, and also carries experience as a paramedic and a miner. He is also known for serving on Greater Sudbury city council since 2022, representing Ward 5.
“I entered the health and safety field to make a difference,” Parent said in a media release. “Now, as president and CEO, I have the chance to impact safety on a provincial scale.”
“Mike’s proven track record in occupational health and safety, coupled with his strategic vision and leadership skills, make him the ideal choice to lead our organization into the future,” board chair Lydia Renton said. “We are delighted to welcome Mike as the new president and CEO of Workplace Safety North and Ontario Mine Rescue.”
Parent is credited in the media release with being a pivotal figure at the organization since 2015, having served as vice president of Health and Safety Services and interim president and CEO.
“Parent’s extensive tenure within Ontario’s prevention system has cemented his reputation as a collaborative leader dedicated to health and safety advocacy,” according to the media release.
“He aims to enhance the WSN legacy by spearheading a strategic plan that continues to ensure the well-being of every worker.”
As a senior leader, Parent is credited with leading a team of mining health and safety consultants, trainers, and specialists.
“His industry expertise is set to drive innovation in the provincial mine rescue program, as well as in the development of health and safety products, training programs, and outreach initiatives for Ontario’s mining and forest products sectors,” according to the media release.
Workplace Safety North is an independent not-for-profit organization and one of four sector-based health and safety associations in Ontario.
