Notice of Meeting - CCCA Section (South)
March 28, 2019
Lunch served at 11:45 am
Presentation at 12:00 pm
First Canadian Centre (lower level)
350 7 Ave SW
Calgary
Bring your OHS Rep! You and a guest from your safety group are invited to attend this lively discussion on the state of OHS prosecutions and due diligence in Canada. Full members and their guest may attend for no charge.
Speaker: Robert B. Steward, BA, MSc, MBPsS Occupation Psychology
Moderated by: Alex Kotkas, Partner – Fasken Martineau
Topic: Are we thinking about workplace safety the right way? Criminalizing Dysfunctional Safety Cultures.
According to Rob, we don’t hire stupid or suicidal workers. We create them. Is there additional risk in the near future?
The Calgary Police Service is the first police force in Canada that recently added a formal OHS focused investigation protocol and training for its investigators. The protocol was developed based on 35 years of research into causation of serious incidents and safety culture. The protocol is being converted into e-training accessible for Police Services, Crown Prosecutors and Regulators across Canada. This is not and has never been about putting people in jail. However, with this additional focus, there will be an additional risk for those that work in industry that fail to take safety seriously. The criminal code provides for greater accountability and has been used in other parts of the world as an impetus for meaningful change after people believe there is a real risk of prosecution.
Presently the opposite is true in Canada and there is considerable misinformation around workplace criminal enforcement with the following basic falsehoods:
- Criminal convictions are too hard to make;
- Corporate hierarchy and structures protect me; and
- Current safety management systems as practiced provide an effective legal defence.
This presentation will discuss the development of the protocol, convergence of progressive laws and use of science to open the black box of the corporate hierarchy within which corporate decision-makers decide on the priorities of the organization. Enforcing the criminal code with workplace serious injuries and fatalities necessitates the need to think and operate differently. The goal is better safety and better business. Join us to help get ahead of this shift in investigatory focus.
Upcoming CCCA Events:
April 25: Update on Director and Officer Liabilities and Duties
May 23: Practical Steps in Bankruptcy and Insolvency
2019 National CCCA Conference April 7-9: https://www.ccca-accje.org/Conference-2019/Home?lang=en-ca
Business Leadership Program for In House Counsel: https://www.ccca-accje.org/Professional-Development-Resources/Business-leadership-program-for-in-house-counsel
Cost: Full Section Members - No charge
Materials Only & Non-Section Members* - $25.00
(Includes GST. R#100760487) Payment can be made by cheque, Visa or Mastercard.
To RSVP, click on the REGISTER NOW link above (top right of page).
RSVP's must be received at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
*Materials only or non-section members who confirm and do not attend will still be charged the fee. Section memberships are individual memberships and are not transferable nor are substitutions permitted at meetings. You must be a current National CBA member in order to attend.
