Janine Dyck, Chief Employer Services Officer; Rod Cook, Vice President Workplace Health and Safety Services; and Tyler Beauchamp, Manager Workplace Health and Safety Services of the WSIB (Ontario WCB) spent the day at the PCU-WHS campus facility on January 16th meeting with staff learning about the various educational programs available through the University including the proposed new masters degree and reviewing details of workplace program assessments available through NIDMAR as well as the new Reducing Poverty Initiative that NIDMAR has undertaken.

Gord Johns, MP for Courtenay–Alberni for the last 10 years and who has been a major champion of the efforts of PCU-WHS and NIDMAR, stopped by on January 14, 2025 for a first-hand update on latest developments.

Deputy Minister Champion to PCU-WHS Eric Costen presented the Keynote Address to the graduating class of the Bachelor of Disability Management program at the 2024 Convocation Ceremony. This year the graduates of the Disability Management Practitioner Certificate Program were also recognized during the ceremony.

The 2024 Convocation Ceremony was live streamed across 22 countries.

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of our former Premier, John Horgan, earlier today. He was a great champion of the collective efforts at PCU-WHS and NIDMAR to achieve much-needed improvements for disabled workers.

Mr. Eric Costen, Associate Deputy Minister of Health Canada was appointed Deputy Minister Champion of PCU-WHS in May 2024. Following a recent visit to the PCU-WHS campus in Port Alberni and spending a full day meeting with staff of both PCU-WHS and NIDMAR, learning about the many initiatives that are taking place, he agreed to sit down for an interview. This newsletter provides his responses to our questions.

Please click on the following link to download the newsletter: PCU-WHS Newsletter Vol 10 Issue 39 October 2024 An Interview with Eric Costen

“Great success” were the words being used by delegates who attended the IFDM 2024 that took place in Vancouver, Canada, September 16 and 17, 2024. With a maximum capacity of 320 delegates from 12 countries around the world, and with over 70 leading edge presentations, delegates were enthusiastic with the topics that were available for them to attend.

IFDM 2024 was opened through an inspiring presentation by Stephanie Cadieux, Canada’s first National Accessibility Officer and former long-time BC Cabinet Minister, who was joined on the opening podium by John Mutch, Chair of the Board, Canadian Society of Professionals in Disability Management (CSPDM), and Co-MCs Sari Sairanen, Executive Assistant to the Secretary Treasurer of UNIFOR and Rod Cook, Vice-President of Workplace Health & Safety Services, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario.

The Hon. Harry Bains, BC Minister of Labour, provided the official welcome to British Columbia and also highlighted some of the recent developments in the province designed to improve employment outcomes and accessibility challenges facing persons with disabilities.

We were very pleased that the closing keynote presentation, which chartered future opportunities and challenges in global Disability Management, was delivered by Prof. Dr. Joachim Breuer, former long time CEO of the German Federal Workers Compensation system, the world’s largest, and, between 2016-2022, he was President of the International Social Security Organization in Geneva.

The successful conference ended with the hand-over for IFDM 2026 to take place in Scotland.

Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island – Pacific Rim and Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, recently met with Wolfgang Zimmermann, President of PCU-WHS and Executive Director of NIDMAR, to get an update on the various developments and initiatives currently being undertaken by both PCU-WHS and NIDMAR.

A full Agenda was on schedule for the PCU-WHS Academic Team when it met recently at its Port Alberni campus facility. Attending were the following:

Back row L to R: Abifatah Abdi, Director of Professional and Continuing Education Studies; Professor Jane Harte, James Cook University, Australia; Dr. Bert Biggs, Acting Director of Academic Operations & Manager of Flexible Admissions; Dr. Susan Patrick, Senior Academic Lead; Dr. Kara Arnold, Chief Academic Officer; Swati Garg, Manager of Admissions and Student Services; Dr. Tyler Amell, Registrar.
Front row L to R: Dr. Lorne Sulsky, Senior Academic Advisor; Wolfgang Zimmermann, President; Heather Persons, Student Support; Olivia Seguin-Coles, Administrative Technology Specialist.
Inset: Dr. Donal McAnaney, fr. Chief Academic Officer & Member of the International Research Advisory Council.

The Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences (PCU-WHS) is very pleased to announce that Mr. Eric Costen, Associate Deputy Minister of Health, has been appointed the Deputy Minister University Champion for PCU-WHS. Mr. Costen began his public service career in 2003 and has held senior roles across the federal government including at Health Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

To read the full article, please click on the link to the newsletter below:
PCU-WHS Newsletter Vol 10 Issue 38 May 2024 Appointment of Eric Costen Dep.Min.Univ.Champion

SPECIAL NOTICE: Due to significant interest and demand in IFDM 2024, the Early Bird Registration Rate has been extended to July 15, 2024. Register now.

Many of the traditional HR functions involve aspects of disability management. HR practitioners may be directly or indirectly involved in return to work planning. This eight-course certificate program is designed for HR practitioners with disability management responsibilities and focuses on knowledge and skills that they use when workers incur disabilities. For further details, please click on the following link to the PCU-WHS website: DM from a HR Perspective

Theme: Disability Management in our Post Pandemic World

About the Conference:  The goal of the IFDM conference is to build knowledge for the Disability Management professions in the CDMP and CRTWC Global community.

Date:  September 15-17, 2024, Location: Vancouver

Call for Abstracts: We invite researchers, scholars, policy and program practitioners and enthusiasts to submit abstracts for presentation at the IFDM 24 Conference. The conference aims to bring together professionals from diverse fields to share insights, exchange ideas, and foster collaboration.

Submission themes:
The four themes around which workshops and plenary sessions will be developed are:

1. Legislation and Policy
2. Workplace well-being and disability management
3. Evolution of the mental health landscape
4. Innovative and inclusive disability management approaches

Details of the themes can be found here submission themes

Submission Guidelines:

• Abstracts should be submitted by emailing info@ifdm2024.ca with tile “abstract Submission”.
• The abstract should not exceed 300 words.
• Each submission include a title, list of authors, name of presenter(s) and contact information.
• Clearly state the objective, methodology, results, and conclusions of the research.
• Abstracts should not contain references, tables, or figures.
• Abstracts need to be identified if suitable as an oral presentation for a plenary or workshop or for a poster exhibition.

Key Dates:

• Abstract Submission Deadline:  February 15, 2024
• Notification of Acceptance: March 15, 2024

How to Submit:

• Submit your abstract by emailing info@ifdm2024.ca by the deadline.
• For any inquiries, please contact info@ifdm2024.ca or john.mutch@cspdm.ca

Benefits of Participation:

• Opportunity to present your research to a diverse audience.
• Networking with professionals and experts in the field of Disability Management

Registration Information:

Details on conference registration, including fees and payment instructions, will be posted to the Conference Website early in the new year.

Sponsorship and Exhibitor Opportunities:

Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the conference? Email info@ifdm2024.ca for details.

Five graduates, who are located in the BC lower mainland area, who were part of the 2023 graduating classes attended in person, while graduates in Ontario and Alberta attended virtually, in the hybrid Convocation Ceremony that took place in Vancouver on November 28, 2023.

The Hon. Wayne G. Wouters, PC, OC, Chancellor of PCU-WHS, addressed the graduates identifying the evolving field of Disability Management and the need and importance of this field of practice. The Keynote speaker for the event was the Hon. Harry Bains, BC’s Minister of Labour, with additional speakers and congratulatory messages from: Josie Osborne, MLA Mid Island-Pacific Rim; Gord Johns, MP, Courtenay-Alberni; Dr. Tyler Amell, Registrar, Dr. Susan Patrick, Senior Academic Lead, and Dr. Kara Arnold, Chief Academic Officer of PCU-WHS; Shanna Ramm, the first graduate of the BDM program in 2020; and the founding co-chairs of NIDMAR, Peter Lawrie and Brian Payne, who identified the goals of return to work in the “early days” and challenged the new graduates to keep moving the field of practice forward. President of PCU-WHS, Wolfgang Zimmermann, was the MC for the event. Sarah Cosco, the Valedictorian, provided an emotional and inspiring perspective to having completed the program and the work they are all now involved in.

To view the recording of the Convocation Ceremony, please click on the following link:
https://youtu.be/zlErW2301MY?si=LgoyT1Ng9uqCFJbk

To view the Valedictorian address, please click on the following link:
Sarah Cosco’s address

As April 28 approaches, workplaces across the nation prepare to observe the National Day of Mourning, a solemn occasion dedicated to honoring the memory of workers who have tragically lost their lives, sustained injuries, or fallen ill due to workplace hazards.

Year after year, Canada witnesses far too many workplace accidents, each one a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in all aspects of our work environments. According to the latest data from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), in 2022 alone, there were 993 reported workplace fatalities, with 33 of those being young workers aged 15-24. Additionally, there were 348,747 accepted claims for lost time due to work-related injuries or diseases. These numbers underscore the urgent need for collective action to prevent further tragedies.

CCOHS urges all workplaces to take this opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of every worker. By fostering a culture of safety and vigilance, we can strive towards the goal of zero workplace incidents.

More information about the National Day of Mourning including resources to help spread awareness in the workplace is available on the CCOHS website: https://www.ccohs.ca/events/mourning

The Government of British Columbia has recently enacted amendments to the workers’ compensation legislation aimed at providing greater clarity and reinforcement of the obligations placed upon organizations in facilitating return to work for employees who have sustained mental or physical injuries or illnesses resulting from workplace activities. The Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), which was ratified in November 2022, is slated to come into effect on January 1, 2024. This legislation introduces two new obligations for both workers and employers: the duty to collaborate and the duty to sustain the employment of an injured worker.

For further details, please click on the following link to download details regarding the course:DMCS-450-BC-Employer-RTW-Obligations-Under-Bill-41-3-1

Or, please go to the following webpage: DMCS 450

Following the recent BC Government’s New Release from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction entitled “People with injuries, disabilities supported getting back to work”, NIDMAR has issued a News Release providing additional details with regard to this latest initiative “Reducing Poverty through Early Intervention and Occupational Rehabilitation Initiative.”

Please click on the following link to download the NIDMAR News Release: Optimizing Return to Work through Successful Early Intervention

Completion of education through PCU-WHS is a gateway to becoming eligible to obtain the CDMP professional designation – the internationally accepted Gold Standard for those working in the field of Disability Management and Return to Work. This short 10-minute video offers a snapshot of the value proposition associated with obtaining the coveted CDMP designation. Link to video.