On Wednesday, May 4, 2022, Membertou Trade & Convention Centre came to life as the Cape Breton Partnership, along with event partners and sponsors at the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI) and WCB Nova Scotia hosted the 10th Safety First in Cape Breton Symposium, and the first in-person symposium since the pandemic began.
The day was filled with learning and discussion, featuring inspirational words from the Honourable Brian Comer, Minister Responsible for Mental Health and Addictions, keynote speaker Pamela MacLean, who presented Fearless Organizations – Promoting Psychological Health in our Workplaces, updates from both LSI and WCB Nova Scotia, three rounds of interactive breakout sessions, the 2022 Safety First Awards, and real stories of workplace tragedy and incidents from Joe Legge, a volunteer speaker and workplace tragedy survivor with Threads of Life, and David Seaboyer of Foreshore Property Specialists.
“It was terrific to be able to hold this event in person, “said Kelly Johnston-Noseworthy, Relationship Manager at WCB Nova Scotia, and Co-Chair of the Safety First in Cape Breton committee. “All of us have faced challenges in the past two years and, while some safety processes and practices have changed and evolved, one thing has remained clear – workplace health and safety has never been more important than it is right now. Being able to hold this in-person was a great chance for the Safety First Network to see first-hand the variety of industries that the network supports, and provide an engaging and interactive experience for attendees.”
In addition to focusing on mental health and a variety of topics around wellness and physical safety, attendees were able to take in two stories of workplace tragedy. The stories taught attendees about the profound consequences that so many have to endure after a workplace tragedy, such as permanent injury, the loss of a loved one, and what the consequences are for a business or organization.
“We were so honoured to have Joe Legge share his touching and impactful story as a survivor of a very serious workplace incident,” said Blaise MacNeil, Safety Advisor with the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration and Co-Chair of the Safety First in Cape Breton committee. “We were also grateful to have David Seaboyer present virtually to us about a workplace incident that occurred in 2018 and resulted in the death of Michael Wile, for which his company SiteLogic was found responsible.”
As a result of his sentence, Seaboyer was required to present the facts of the case as part of his sentencing requirements to workplaces around the province. While his requirements are now complete, he agreed to share his story at this year’s symposium to continue spreading awareness about how safety negligence can lead to tragedy.
MacNeil concluded, “The reality is that nobody ever thinks a workplace tragedy will happen to them, but it’s stories like Joe’s, Michael’s, and David’s that we hope underscored the importance of following and adhering to workplace safety protocols. The bottom line is that protocols are in place to prevent incidents and we all must do our part to make Cape Breton – Unama’ki the safest place to do business.”
To learn more about the Safety First in Cape Breton Network, please visit www.safetyfirstcapebreton.com.
Elevate is Cape Breton – Unama’ki’s business-focused publication brought to you by the Cape Breton Partnership. To evolve with our business audience, the publication has now moved from a print publication to fully online. Starting in 2022, our readers can expect to see Elevate articles appearing on both our website and on Saltwire.com.
Held on May 19, 2022, this is the fourth session of the Ocean Farming Series held by the Cape Breton Partnership and Nova Scotia Community College: Ocean Farming – Pathways to Entry and Regulations.
The session featured panel presentations and discussions with Michelle Theriault, Director of Université Sainte-Anne’s Marine Research Centre and satellite campus in Petit de Grat, NS, Ashley Sprague, Manager Seafood Services at Perennia, and Giulia Pereira, Sea Farm Operations Faculty, Department of Technology & Environment at Nova Scotia Community College. The session will be moderated by Dan Lane, Interim Director – Lobster Quality Research & Innovation Centre de recherche marine, Université Sainte-Anne. He is also a Professor Emeritus at the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa.
This event is part of the Cape Breton Partnership’s and Nova Scotia Community College’s Ocean Farming Series, bringing our local Unama’ki – Cape Breton business community together to hear from industry experts on a range of topics important to the success and growth of the ocean farming sector on Cape Breton Island.
Future topics include: Innovation & Readiness
For more information:
Carly Appleton
Cape Breton Partnership
902.562.0122
carly@capebretonpartnership.com
Amanda Mombourquette
Nova Scotia Community College
902.227.7836
Amanda.Mombourquette@nscc.ca
About the Cape Breton Partnership:
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com.
About Nova Scotia Community College
NSCC is committed to building Nova Scotia’s economy and quality of life through education and innovation, transforming Nova Scotia one learner at a time. NSCC offers more than 130 career-oriented programs throughout the province at our 14 campuses, including our online eCampus. Learn more at https://www.nscc.ca/.
Held on April 14, 2022, this is the third session of the Ocean Farming Series held by the Cape Breton Partnership and Nova Scotia Community College: Ocean Farming – Pathways to Entry and Regulations.
The session featured panel presentations and discussions with Tom Smith, Executive Director with Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia, Michael Moore, Manager with Louisbourg Seafoods – Cape Breton Bivalve, and Melissa Rommens, Vice President with Sustain Aqua. The session was moderated by Nathaniel Feindel, Manager of Aquaculture Development and Marine Plants Harvesting for the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
This event is part of the Cape Breton Partnership’s and Nova Scotia Community College’s Ocean Farming Series, bringing our local Unama’ki – Cape Breton business community together to hear from industry experts on a range of topics important to the success and growth of the ocean farming sector on Cape Breton Island.
Future topics include: Innovation & Readiness and Quality & Capacity.
For more information:
Carly Appleton
Cape Breton Partnership
902.562.0122
carly@capebretonpartnership.com
Amanda Mombourquette
Nova Scotia Community College
902.227.7836
Amanda.Mombourquette@nscc.ca
About the Cape Breton Partnership:
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com.
About Nova Scotia Community College
NSCC is committed to building Nova Scotia’s economy and quality of life through education and innovation, transforming Nova Scotia one learner at a time. NSCC offers more than 130 career-oriented programs throughout the province at our 14 campuses, including our online eCampus. Learn more at https://www.nscc.ca/.
Cape Breton Island, NS – The Cape Breton Partnership is pleased to announce, together with our partners at the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills, and Immigration (LSI) and Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia, that the 2022 Safety First in Cape Breton Symposium will be held in person on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 from 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Membertou Trade & Convention Centre.
In addition to discussions on the 2022 Symposium theme of destigmatizing mental health, participants will also have the opportunity to participate and engage in a number of breakout sessions, which will cover a variety of topics, including: self-care and living healthy, how managers can support a worker in crisis, ergonomics, business continuity in a pandemic, and much more.
“We are excited that we are able to co-host this important Island-wide event, after two years of not being able to hold the symposium in person,” said Tyler Mattheis, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “Safety and mental wellness is extremely important in the workplace, especially given what organizations and individuals have experienced as a result of the pandemic over the course of the last two years.”
This year’s agenda will be both insightful and impactful, and will serve as a great learning opportunity for attendees to network and discuss how the pandemic has changed safety in our workplaces and in our everyday lives.
“The Safety First in Cape Breton Symposium is an important event for the entire Island, because it shines a light on relevant health and safety issues, while bringing employers and employees together to learn about, and discuss health and safety issues that are important to them,” says Blaise MacNeil, Safety Advisor with the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration. “Attending the symposium is a great way to find out what is going on in the world of health and safety, collaborate with one another, and share your experiences about health and safety in your workplace.”
To learn more about the Safety First in Cape Breton Network, register for the 2022 symposium, or participate as a sponsor for this year’s event, please visit http://www.safetyfirstcapebreton.com/safetyfirstsymposium. Registration closes Monday, April 25, 2022.
To nominate an individual or organization for a Safety First in Cape Breton Award, please fill out a nomination form by visiting http://www.safetyfirstcapebreton.com/about-safetyfirstawards and submit by April 18, 2022.
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Media Contact
Carly Appleton
Cape Breton Partnership
info@capebretonpartnership.com
(902) 562-0122
About the Cape Breton Partnership
The Cape Breton Partnership is Cape Breton – Unama’ki’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live, work, and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. Learn more at https://capebretonpartnership.com/.
(Cape Breton Island, NS) – Nominations are now open for the 2022 Safety First in Cape Breton Awards, honouring individuals and businesses who are committed to the advancement of workplace health and safety in Cape Breton – Unama’ki.
The awards are coordinated by the Safety First in Cape Breton Network, an initiative of the Cape Breton Partnership, in collaboration with WCB Nova Scotia and the Department of Labour, Skills & Immigration (LSI), and generously sponsored by Protocase. The award categories include recognitions for Young Advocate, Engagement Ally, Outstanding Health & Safety Committee, Small Business Trailblazer, Safety Culture Champion, and Innovation Expert.
The awards will be presented on May 4, 2022 at Membertou Trade & Conference Centre as part of the 2022 Safety First in Cape Breton Symposium. The symposium will feature keynote addresses, breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and an industry trade show. Details regarding registration and speakers will be shared in the weeks to come.
“The Cape Breton Partnership is honoured to continue working with our partners at WCB Nova Scotia and the Department of Labour, Skills & Immigration, as well as our valued sponsors of the Safety First in Cape Breton Symposium to recognize individuals who go above and beyond to embed a strong safety culture in the work they do and across their organizations and businesses,” said Tyler Mattheis, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “As the Island’s private sector-led economic development organization, we understand that health and safety is critically important to economic sustainability, and we sincerely value the dedication of those who are nominated for the Safety First in Cape Breton Awards.”
Past Safety First in Cape Breton Awards recipients include the NSCC Strait Area Campus, Seaside Wireless Communications, Strait Area Safety Services, Victoria Fisheries Co-op, Lynk Electric, Copol International, Landry Brothers Ltd., and other dedicated businesses and individuals working hard to make Cape Breton – Unama’ki the safest place to do business.
To nominate an individual or organization, please visit http://www.safetyfirstcapebreton.com/about-safetyfirstawards
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Media Contact:
Carly Appleton
Cape Breton Partnership
902-227-7976
Carly@capebretonpartnership.com
About the Cape Breton Partnership:
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com.