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IMPORTANT

Electronic voting will occur prior to the AGM. Ensure your organization identifies a Voting Representative.

2023 Board of Directors – Nominations & Elections

It’s that time again when we seek the membership’s input on the board election process.  For a review of our process and how it works please review the below information. To submit your nomination fill out the appendix form in the Nominations and Elections Policy, along with a letter of support from your employer. We request that you send your nomination, application, letter of support, and other inquiries or questions, to Mike Roberts, CEO, at mroberts@bcmsa.ca.

There are a total of 8 Board of Directors elected seats. Elected board members serve a two-year term. The election will occur electronically prior to the June 2, 2023, AGM.

BCMSA Policy Nominations and Elections

BCMSA Policy Roles and Responsibilities (Management Structure)

BCMSA Policy Executive Committee

Current Accepted Nominations – Nomination Deadline May 23, 2023

Darren Beattie
Darren Beattie
Manager Health & Safety, City of Prince George

I am an experienced safety professional with a diversified background, in both industry & regulatory enforcement. Though I have exposure to an assortment of industries, I am new to the world of local government. My experience brings proven methods & solutions that are new to this industry, while my inexperience allows me to see issues with an unbiased lens. Always the optimist, I look for solutions and methods to integrate safety into the daily life of all levels of an organization, also in the big picture that may impact the entire local government community. I prefer to use a practical, creative, and collaborative approach to make positive change to safety processes & culture.

Sam Chauhan
Sam Chauhan
Manager Occupational Health and Safety, City of Surrey

Manager Occupational Health and Safety, City of Surrey

Sam is a seasoned manager who enjoys healthy discussions on all OHS matters.

In 1987 he started his municipal experience as a labour with the City of Port Coquitlam, he graduated from BCIT, OHS Program (honours) in 1997 and shortly after began his safety career with the City of Vancouver as an OHS Coordinator.

He has been happily employed by the City of Surrey as the Manager, Occupational Health & Safety for over 23 years. He is responsible for managing the City of Surrey’s Corporate Occupational Health & Safety -Programs/Systems/Processes.

Sam is a director on the board of the Employers’ Forum to WorkSafeBC and an active employer representative on WorkSafeBC’s Policy & Practice Consultative Committee.

He has also been an active member of the British Columbia Municipal Safety Association since 2000.

Sam enjoys travelling and spending time on his 5-acre hobby farm in Pitt Meadows.

He looks forward to serving on the board of the BCMSA.

Rebecca Chow
Rebecca Chow
Manager Occupational Health and Safety, District of Saanich

Serving on a Board is a privilege. Boards provide the vision for the association and through the strategic plan, they serve the association’s members – you! They also help increase the capacity of the association, by sharing their knowledge, establishing and maintaining networks, serving on committees, and being influential in areas which support the vision of the association.

As a long-standing occupational health and safety, and ability management leader, I wish to continue to provide my support and service to you through the BCMSA.

One of my core values is to give back to my community. One way I do this is through Boards and Advisory Committees. My professional volunteer experience includes:

  • BC Municipal Safety Association Board – 2012 to present (currently serving as President)
  • University of Victoria Environmental and Occupational Health Certificate Steering Committee member – 2015 to present
  • Canadian Society of Professionals in Disability Management Board (National) – August 2018 to present
  • Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals Board (National) – selected by Nominations Committee to run in upcoming 2023 Election

As learning is necessary for continuous improvement, I actively engage in professional and personal development. This development supports the maintenance of my designations:

  • Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) certification – obtained in 2003, and
  • Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) certification – obtained in 2004.

In 2016, I broaden my perspective obtaining a Graduate Certificate in Strategic Human Resources Management which has assisted me in both my work and volunteer activities.

My career had been committed to the public sector and since 2009, I have held a management position within occupational health and safety. Previously, I served the citizens of Victoria and I currently serve the citizens of the District of Saanich.

In 2021, I celebrated my employer receiving a BCMSA Organizational Excellence Award and being selected as a Top Women in Safety by COS Magazine.

If elected, over the next two years I plan to support the BCMSA by maintaining a strategic focus, enhancing policy and governance, supporting fiscal stability and maturation, and further connecting the association both provincially and nationally.

I would be honoured to continue to serve you for another two-year term. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out (rebecca.chow@saanich.ca) and additional information can be found via LinkedIn.

Nela Graham
Nela Graham
Program Manager of Prevention, Metro Vancouver

Hello, my name is Nela Graham and I am:

  • currently the Program Manager of Prevention in Corporate Safety at Metro Vancouver (Regional District) and have been working at Metro Vancouver for the past 22 years;
  • a past president and current director on the BCMSA Board;
  • a past president and director with the AIHA (American Industrial Hygiene Association);
  • an Industrial Hygienist with a Masters of Science in Occupational and Environmental Health from the University of British Columbia;
  • a Kinesiologist with a background in soft tissue rehabilitation (with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from UBC);
  • actively involved in supporting a voice for the municipal sector in the development of OHS Regulations and Policy at WorkSafeBC and Nationally across Canada;
  • super passionate about occupational health and safety and worker wellness;
  • a strong believer that we can have a truly positive impact on public health and prevention of injury and illness through managing risks and wellness in the workplace; and
  • excited to continue to support the BCMSA with the valuable work we do and the support we provide to local government and other industries across BC and abroad!

I’d love to continue my service on the BCMSA Board of Directors if you’ll have me J.

Sarah Josephson
Sarah Josephson
Safety Manager, City of Kelowna

Sarah Josefson is an energetic safety leader with 12 years of progressive experience in the energy and local government sectors. Sarah prides herself on her ability to connect with and empower others and collaboratively improve organizational culture.

Sarah began her tenure with the City of Kelowna in 2014 as Safety Coordinator, eventually progressing to her current position as Safety Manager. Prior to working in local government, her passion for creating safer workplaces was developed while gaining valuable experience working as a safety contractor for various energy companies, including Cenovus Energy, Statoil (now Equinor), Husky Energy and Canadian Natural Resources Limited.

Sarah is a certified internal auditor through the BC Municipal Safety Association, was a key contributor on the city’s pandemic response team, is on the Wellness Committee, and is in the final phases of developing her department’s safety strategic plan.

Sarah is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional and has a Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety from the University of New Brunswick. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Communication Major) Degree from Simon Fraser University and a Diploma in Sport Science from Douglas College, both of which contribute to her well-rounded knowledge and critical thinking skills.

In her spare time, you will find her behind the wheel of her off-roading Jeep exploring the back country, or living out of a backpack as she adventures with her husband to new and remote locations around the world.

Jacson Lau
Jacson Lau
Health & Safety Advisor, City of Coquitlam

Jacson Lau is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in occupational health and safety. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University, and has also completed an Occupational Health and Safety Diploma at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Jacson has since gone on to earn his Canadian Registered Safety Professional designation and is currently pursuing a Human Resources Management Certificate to further enhance his skills and knowledge.

Throughout his career, Jacson has worked in various roles related to health and safety, including his current position as a Health and Safety Advisor with the City of Coquitlam for the past six years. Prior to that, he worked as an industrial safety professional with the Ledcor Group of Companies, a leading construction company in Canada.

Jacson has an in-depth knowledge of workplace safety regulations and best practices, and has been contributing to the development of policies and initiatives aimed at reducing workplace incidents. He is an instrumental part of a team that has achieved the British Columbia Municipal Safety Association’s Organizational Safety Excellence Award since inception.

Parm Phangura
Parm Phangura
Senior Manager Occupational Health & Safety, City of Abbotsford

Parm Phangura, Senior Manager Occupational Health & Safety, City of Abbotsford and BCMSA Board of Director (2018-2020)

Parm began his OH&S career as a Field Technologist in pursuit of my strong desire to ensure staff are working safe and going home to their families each and everyday safely.  Of Parm’s 15 years, thirteen have been in managerial roles, which allowed him to successfully lead and oversee all OHS related matters.

As the current Senior Manager, Occupational Health and Safety at the City of Abbotsford, Parm oversee’s the City’s Safety Management System.

As an innovative and strategic thinker, Parm actively identify deficiencies and strive to improve them by setting goals, both short and long term, and can successfully motivate individuals to collaborate towards those achievements. Parm is comfortable liaising with all members of staff whether exempt or union, as well as different levels of local government.  Parm understands that challenges can arise, and can work diligently to shift those challenges into opportunities for success.

Parm is dedicated, grateful and privileged to serve as a BCMSA Board of Director and respectfully appreciates your support.

Sergio Picco
Sergio Picco
Senior Manager Occupational Health & Safety, City of Burnaby

Sergio Picco, Senior Manager Occupational Health & Safety, City of Burnaby currently sits on the BCMSA Board of Director as the active Vice – President of the Executive Committee.

Sergio has been a long-standing member of the BCMSA since 2001 with involvement on various committees such, as CORTAC, EDTAC, BCMSA Conference Committees and many Sub-committees working on initiative programs over the years, which have enhanced the service to the safety community and developed of the BCMSA as a leading association.

Sergio has been part of the growth of the BCMSA and the strategic plan for the future enhancement and sustainability of the organization. His involvement with the BCMSA over the years has been beneficial to the organization and the government safety sector.

Sergio’s knowledge, experience and dedication to Health & Safety is an asset to the BCMSA and the City of Burnaby. His leadership style is quiet, yet determined in building foundations to strive ahead within challenging times. He is a “Big Picture” thinker, which considers the needs of small to large organizations in the continuation of program improvements and resources.

Sergio is dedicated, honored and privileged to serve as a BCMSA Board of Director and humbly appreciates your continued support.

Voting Representative

Click the button now to register and identify your organization’s VOTING REPRESENTATIVE. Member organizations receive ONE ballot for the BCMSA Board Election.

Register Now!

Electronic Election Process

Nominations

Part 1:  Nominations

  1. In accordance with its bylaws, the BC Municipal Safety Association (BCMSA) will conduct its usual nomination process.  Nominations will be accepted between April 17 at 3:00pm until May 23 at 3:00pm.
  2. Because voting will take place electronically in the days before the Annual General Meeting (AGM), nominations will not be accepted from the floor of the AGM.
  3. For the eight (8) elected Director positions, the BCMSA will forward a list of all nominees to CivicInfo BC at the close of the nomination period.

AGM Registration & Determination of Authorized Voting Representative

Part 2:  AGM Registration & Determination of Authorized Voting Representative

 Information about the AGM and the Board Election will be distributed by the BCMSA to all regular members.

  1. Via an online form, each member organization will be asked to:
    • register those who are planning to attend the AGM; and,
    • identify a voting representative.
  2. In cases when no or multiple voting representatives are identified, the BCMSA will assist the regular member in resolving the matter.
  3. Once voting has started, a member organization may not change its voting representative.  An organization that has not selected one may, however, do so.

Voting

Part 3:  Voting

  1. Voting will open on May 24 at 3:00pm and close on May 31 at 3:00pm.
  2. When voting opens, an electronic ballot will be emailed directly to each identified voting representative.
  3. The ballot will include instructions on how to cast the ballot, and it will show the list of candidates.  The candidates will be listed in alphabetically order by last name, unless otherwise specified by the BCMSA.
  4. Each ballot has a unique URL, with a token (a string of letters and numbers) that connects it to a specific voting representative.  This ensures that each voting representative can only cast a single ballot.
  5. CivicInfo BC, as the BCMSA’s election agent, will resolve any issues with lost or misplaced ballots.
  6. If a regular member identifies a voting representative during the election period, the BCMSA will forward that information to CivicInfo BC, and CivicInfo BC will issue a new ballot.

Results

Part 4:  Results

  1. At the close of the election period, CivicInfo BC will provide the BCMSA with the official election results, which the BCMSA will announce at its AGM on June 2, 2023.
  • April 17 - 3:00pm

    Organization Voting Representative - Registration Open

    Member organizations receive ONE ballot for the BCMSA Board Election ensure you register your your organization’s VOTING REPRESENTATIVE to receive a ballot for the electronic election.

  • April 17 - 3:00pm

    Board of Director Nominations Open

    April 17 - 3:00pm

  • May 23 - 3:00 pm

    Board of Directors Nominations Close

  • May 23 - 3:00pm

    Organization Voting Representative - Registration Close

    May 23 - 3:00pm

  • May 24 3:00 pm

    Election Voting Opens

  • May 31 - 3:00pm

    Election Voting Closes

    Late votes cannot be accepted.

    May 31 - 3:00pm

  • June 2

    Election Results Announced

    Election results will be announced at the June 2 Annual General Meeting.

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SAFER AND HEALTHIER WORKPLACES FOR EVERYONE.

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