Construction Safety Nova Scotia achieves gender parity on its Board of Directors, marks other major milestones at recent Annual General Meeting

Milton Howley, Chair of the CSNS Board of Directors, approaches the podium at the CSNS AGM. Board members MJ MacDonald (centre) and Don Maillett (right) are seated on the stage in front of meeting attendees.

May 23, 2024

Industry leader celebrates 30th anniversary and recognizes safety excellence amongst Nova Scotian companies.

DARTMOUTH, NS — Construction Safety Nova Scotia (CSNS) held its 30th annual general meeting on May 16, 2024. During the meeting, the membership approved 16 new and returning directors, with a gender split of 50 per cent.

“Over the last four years, the Board of Directors set a goal to increase gender diversity and representation on the board. With the approval of our most recent slate of Directors, now 50 per cent of our board members are women,” said Milton Howley, Chair of the Board. “As the construction industry and skilled trades continue to grow and attract more people into the industry, we are proud to have a board with strong female representation.”

The Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from across the construction industry, reflecting both our founding members and members at large. The Board of Directors for 2024 are:

  • Canadian Home Builders Association – Nova Scotia: Crystal Ingram &Tanya Henley
  • Atlantic Concrete Association: Ashley Wall
  • Construction Association of Nova Scotia: Heather Cruickshanks & Duncan Williams
  • Department of Public Works: Don Maillet
  • Mainland Nova Scotia Building and Construction Trades Council: Brittany Colburn
  • Nova Scotia Road Builders Association: Dan O’Connor
  • Cape Breton Island Building and Construction Trades Council: Ernie Dalton
  • Nova Scotia Power: Milton Howley
  • Members at Large: Colleen Brushett, Paul Dube, Tyler Gould, Jackie Hatt, JoAnne Ortega & David Wassmansdorf

In addition to confirming its Board of Directors, CSNS launched their 30th anniversary celebrations, welcomed keynote speaker Candace Carnahan. and announced the winners of the 2024 Safety Awards. This year, the awards honoured 10 companies and three individuals who are demonstrating a significant commitment to occupational health and safety in the construction industry in Nova Scotia.

SAFETY AWARD WINNERS

  • Women in Safety Leadership Award

This award is presented to a woman in health and safety who exemplifies the highest standards for safety leadership, going above and beyond to create change. This year’s winner is Andrea Giles, project manager & safety coordinator at Solar Ascent.

Honourable Mention: Jessica Hunkin, health & safety advisor, of Trinity Energy Group. 

  • Safety Champion Award

This award is presented to an individual who consistently demonstrates outstanding safety excellence and support for their industry peers. This year’s winner is Mervyn McClay, safety manager at Data Wiring Solutions Inc.

  • Best Safety Culture Award

This award recognizes excellence in an organization’s OHS culture, with strong safety leadership, a commitment to continuous improvement, and employees who take accountability for safety. This year’s winner is MacKinnon and Olding.

  • Workplace Mental Health Award

This award recognizes a company that prioritizes worker mental health and understands that mental health is just as important as physical health. The winner is Able Electric.

CHAIR’S AWARDS OF SAFETY EXCELLENCE

The Chair’s Awards of Safety Excellence honour the best of the best. These awards are determined through a combination of Workers Compensation Board (WCB) statistics (injury rate and experience rating) and external Certificate of Recognition (COR®) audit scores over the past three years. The Most Improved award is based on the improvement in the last 3 years of a company’s WCB injury rate and experience rating.

  • Chair’s Award for Safety Excellence – Owner/Operator

James Price Enterprises Limited

  • Chair’s Award for Safety Excellence – Small Business

Gary d’Entremont Excavating

  • Chair’s Award for Safety Excellence – Intermediate Business

Tri-Ex Construction Ltd

Honourable Mention: George F. MacDonald and Sons Bulldozing and Trucking Ltd

  • Chair’s Award for Safety Excellence – Standard Business

Bird Construction

Honourable Mention: Nucor Rebar Fabrication

  • Most Improved

Municipal Ready Mix

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ABOUT CONSTRUCTION SAFETY NOVA SCOTIA

Construction Safety Nova Scotia (CSNS) is an industry-founded and industry-funded not-for-profit association focused on improving occupational health and safety in the construction sector. CSNS is a highly regarded leader in OHS services with over 300,000 students trained in health and safety and over 1,050 firms attaining the association’s Certificate of Recognition (COR®) safety certification. The board of directors, OHS advisors, and CSNS staff work towards a safer construction industry by engaging with its membership to reduce injuries and improve safety culture. The association is passionate about saving lives and reducing injuries through industry-tailored instruction and advice. https://constructionsafetyns.ca/.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Shannon Kehoe
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Cell: 902-209-5658
Email: skehoe@constructionsafetyns.ca