Mike Parent, CRSP, CSP, has been appointed as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Workplace Safety North (WSN) and Ontario Mine Rescue, effective immediately.
Parent has been serving as the interim President and CEO since September 2023 and has now been confirmed in the position by the WSN Board of Directors.
Parent’s diverse background includes experience as a paramedic, miner, mine rescue volunteer, and mining health and safety manager. He has been with WSN since 2015, previously serving as Vice President of Health and Safety Services. His extensive tenure within Ontario’s prevention system has earned him a reputation as a collaborative leader committed to health and safety advocacy.
“I entered the health and safety field to make a difference,” said Parent. “Now, as President and CEO, I have the chance to impact safety on a provincial scale.”
During his time as a senior leader, Parent has led a team of mining health and safety consultants, trainers, and specialists. He plans to continue driving innovation in the provincial mine rescue program, as well as developing health and safety products, training programs, and outreach initiatives for Ontario’s mining and forest products sectors.
Lydia Renton, Chair of the Board of Directors, expressed confidence in Parent’s leadership. “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,” Renton said.
Ontario’s health and safety landscape is evolving, with a renewed focus on proactive research aimed at reducing workplace risks. Parent emphasized the organization’s commitment to worker safety. “WSN Health and Safety Specialists and Mine Rescue Officers are dedicated to helping companies assess risks, prepare for emergencies, and comply with legislative requirements. Our vision remains that every worker returns home safe and healthy at the end of each workday,” he stated.
About Workplace Safety North
Workplace Safety North (WSN) is an independent not-for-profit and one of four sector-based health and safety associations in Ontario. Headquartered in northern Ontario, WSN oversees the provincial mine rescue program and delivers Ministry-approved workplace health and safety training and services across the mining and forest products industries.
Ontario Mine Rescue (OMR) provides emergency response and specialized training to ensure mine rescue teams are prepared to respond effectively to emergencies, protecting the lives and health of miners across Ontario.
For over a century, WSN and its legacy organizations have played a crucial role in enhancing workplace safety across Ontario, offering expertise in health and safety training and consulting to businesses seeking to improve workplace safety standards.