Our Organization
Why We're Here
CSSE members work in many different industries, but share one common goal:
Ensuring our colleagues make it home safe at the end of the workday
Our organization shapes the safety profession in Canada by working with its members and partners. This is achieved by
- Connecting with chapters and members
- Defining the profession
- Innovating through professional development
- Being the voice of the safety profession
- Being a resource for research and information
- Leading our members with good governance and succession
History
The CSSE was founded in 1949 by a small group of dedicated individuals drawn together in the common cause of accident prevention. It grew from a provincially based organization to become Canada's largest national and most established professional organization for health and safety practitioners. Today, the CSSE has almost 3,500 members across Canada and around the world working together to enhance the health, safety, and environmental profession.
Vision
The CSSE is the leading professional association for health, safety, and environmental practitioners in Canada. The CSSE shapes the safety profession in Canada by working collaboratively with its members and partners.
This is done by providing timely and relevant safety information and developing safety professionals. We collaborate with industry, governmental agencies, and other safety organizations to promote a greater awareness of health, safety, and environmental issues across Canada. The CSSE is recognized as an objective voice for excellence in safety in workplaces and communities.
The CSSE is a national organization, supporting the operation of local chapters across the country. Chapters provide local forums for information exchange and networking among safety practitioners. Through chapter meetings and activities, members promote and enhance the profile of the profession in communities throughout Canada.
Mission
To be the resource for professional development, knowledge, and information exchange for our members, our profession, and the Canadian public.
Board of Directors
The CSSE is self-governed by a voluntary Board of Directors elected by the membership.
The Board is responsible for the overall direction and operation of the CSSE on a national level, and establishes and implements policies and procedures to advance the organization’s objectives.
Christl Aggus
Interim CEO
Christl Aggus is an Alberta-based Certified Health & Safety Consultant and a Canadian Registered Safety Professional with more than 20 years of experience. She founded Principle Safety Ltd in 2005. The company provides expert consultations on health, safety, and the environment to companies of all sizes.
Dave Turner
Interim President
Dave Turner is the President of Turner Safety Systems, which offers a range of health and safety services to a variety of organizations. He is a professional mining engineer and has worked in the mining and construction sectors for most of his career, and as an occupational health and safety professional for more than 40 years. He also works as an adjunct professor in risk management at the University of Fredericton
Paul Andre
Vice President, Finance
Paul Andre is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Workplace Safety North in North Bay, Ontario. Workplace Safety North is a not-for-profit association mandated by the Ontario government to provide approved health and safety training to the province’s mining and forestry products sectors.
Barry Bynoe
Vice President, Regional Affairs
Barry Bynoe began working at the Regional Municipality of Durham’s Works Department, Recycling Centre, in 1988, where he developed an interest in occupational health and safety. He retired in 2022 after many years as a corporate health and safety officer and Supervisor of Health, Safety & Wellness. In 2018, Barry started up a health and safety consultancy, Lighthouse Safety Solutions, which provides a full range of safety services.
Dimitra Bolton
Director at Large
Dimitra Bolton is a CSSE London Chapter member and a Canadian Registered Safety Professional with more than 20 years of professional experience. She began her career in 1998. Since late 2022, Dimitra has worked as a health, safety, and environmental technician at Royal Canin, which produces specialized foods for cats and dogs.
Christian Fournier
Director at Large
Christian Fournier began his health and safety career in 2006, when he took a job as a safety manager at Carquest Auto Parts in Rexdale, Ontario. He held a number of health and safety jobs in Southern Ontario before moving to New Brunswick in 2010.
Bruce Jackson
Director at Large
Bruce Jackson began his career in occupational health and safety almost 30 years ago while working at one of Weyerhauser’s wood products operations in Vancouver. He joined WorkSafeBC in 1997, where he held a variety of positions over his 20-year career.
Raeleigne Van Patten
Director at Large
Raeleigne Van Patten has more than 20 years of experience in the development, implementation, and maintenance of health, safety, environmental, behavior-based safety, operations, quality, and wellness programs. Raeleigne’s focus has been on influencing executive leadership, workers, contractors, and the safety community in Canada.