News Release

2006-106
November 1, 2006
For immediate release

Minister Clement Announces Appointments to the Hazardous Materials Information Review Commission

OTTAWA - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, is pleased to announce the re-appointment of Yves Brissette and Gordon Lloyd, along with the appointments of Rita Coshan, Kurt Dieckmann and William Gombos to the Council of Governors of the Hazardous Materials Information Review Commission (HMIRC) for three-year terms.

"I am confident that each new member will be a strong asset to the Hazardous Materials Information Review Commission. The diverse background and experience that each appointee brings to the Commission will contribute to achieving its mandate of protecting both workers as well as trade secrets in Canada's chemical industry," said Minister Clement.

Dr. Yves Brissette is currently the Chair of the HMIRC Council of Governors and is reappointed for a further three-year term as the Quebec representative. He is a senior official responsible for external relations with the Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail, representing the Commission on numerous intergovernmental committees. Dr. Brissette also serves as a Canadian representative on a Canada-United States-Mexico working group on workplace safety issues. He holds a Ph.D in Pharmacology from the Université de Montréal and has published extensively in this field.

Gordon Lloyd is currently the supplier representative on the HMIRC Council of Governors and is reappointed for a further term. As Vice-President Technical Affairs with the Canadian Chemical Producers' Association, Mr. Lloyd has participated in the development of several major domestic and international policies, including an international agreement on Persistent, Organic Pollutants, as well as a Toxic Substance Management Policy. He is a graduate of the University of Manitoba School of Law.

Rita Coshan will represent Saskatchewan on the HMIRC Council of Governors. Currently, she is Manager of Risk Management and Toxicology, Occupational Health and Safety Division, with Saskatchewan Labour, providing leadership on provincial health standards and programs across workplace sectors. Ms. Coshan holds a Master of Science in Biochemical Pharmacology from the University of Regina.

Kurt Dieckmann will serve as the Yukon representative on the HMIRC Council of Governors. Currently the Director of Occupational Health and Safety in the Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board, Mr. Dieckmann plans, manages and directs activities of the Occupational Health and Safety Branch, as well as develops and implements measures to ensure safe and healthy working conditions at all worksites under Territorial jurisdiction. A graduate of Ryerson University's Occupational Health and Safety Program, Mr. Dieckmann has extensive private sector experience in the mining sector.

William Gombos will serve as the employer representative on HMIRC Council of Governors. As ISO/Health and Safety Coordinator of Emerson Electric Canada, Mr. Gombos advises on a range of health, safety, environment and quality management matters. As an engineering technologist graduate of the Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology, he has served as an active member of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists.

The Hazardous Materials Information Review Commission was created as an independent agency in 1987 by proclamation of the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act and is accountable to the Parliament of Canada through the Minister of Health.

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Media Enquiries:
Erik Waddell
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

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