An Anniversary Roundtable Dialogue

On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the Hazardous Materials Information Review Commission assembled a group of individuals who have played a key role in its history to reflect on the Commission's growth and evolution.

Participants

Dr. David Bennett, past member of Council of Governors (CLC representative, WHMIS representative)

Dr. Yves Brissette, current Chair of HMIRC's Council of Governors

David Curley, Screening Officer at HMIRC

Gordon Lloyd, Vice-President Technical Affairs at the Canadian Chemical Producers' Association, member of Council of Governors (Suppliers)

Weldon Newton, past President of HMIRC

Dr. David Sheppard, retired Senior Specialist, Environmental and Regulatory Affairs at 3M, past member of Council of Governors (Employers)

Larry Stoffman, Director of Occupational Health and Safety at the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, member of Council of Governors (Workers)

Sharon A. Watts, President and CEO of HMIRC

Q: Take us back to the beginning. Why was HMIRC formed and what purpose was it intended to fulfill?

David Sheppard: When WHMIS was implemented, a dilemma surfaced regarding the right of workers to know about the hazards associated with the substances they work with and the right of industry to protect their trade secrets. HMIRC was formed to balance these two apparently opposite rights. History has demonstrated that they can be balanced successfully. The Commission is unique: there is no other agency like it in the world.

Q: One feature of HMIRC's model is its tripartite Council. How has that structure been instrumental to the Commission's evolution?

Yves Brissette: The cooperation among government, labour and industry representatives on the Council is exceptional. In 2006, when Council was invited to appear before a Senate standing committee to answer questions about the Act that governs HMIRC, the senators were surprised by the consensus among our members and were impressed by our achievements.

Q: Why were you appearing before that Senate committee? Why was the Act being reviewed?

Gordon Lloyd: It was the culmination of the Commission's renewal effort. A turnaround was critical. The president, Weldon Newton, designed a blueprint for renewal.

David Sheppard: Weldon had taken over as President in 1998. He set out to promote a shift in attitude that would resolve problems and reform the Commission.

Q: Weldon, what was your challenge in revitalizing the Commission?

Weldon Newton: Fundamentally, the challenge was to rebuild confidence with industry and trust with Commission staff. Most essential to our success through the transformation was the human factor - the ability of our staff to re-energize and focus on change. It also took unwavering commitment by our Council and stakeholders, who believed in the original mandate of the Commission.

Q: What have been some of the most notable improvements in Commission operations?

David Sheppard: Changes to the appeals process most certainly. In the 1990s, alternative dispute resolution was used more and appeals became viewed as a last resort. Until that point, HMIRC had been dealing with eight to 10 appeals per year. In 2008, the Commission had its first appeal in eight years.

Larry Stoffman: Dealing with the claims backlog has been another significant improvement. Since taking over as President in 2007, Sharon Watts has carried forward the renewal effort and adopted a number of innovative methods to streamline operations and cut costs.

David Curley: Until the late 90s, claimants were typically advised of their status up to five years after they'd submitted a claim for exemption. That has changed since 2000. Today's process is more transparent and allows claimants to be involved earlier.

Sharon Watts: The improvements to our process allow us to resolve disputes more efficiently and at a lower cost to both parties. As a result, the information workers need for their safety is provided to them sooner - making this a true win-win situation.

Q: This annual report celebrates innovation. How has the Commission adopted new ways of working or influenced the behaviour of industry?

Gordon Lloyd: HMIRC understands the importance of a spirit of cooperation with industry. Multi-stakeholder collaboration is part of its culture, which has been critical to its ability to recognize problems, solve them and deliver on solutions.

David Bennett: The Commission is an organization with a very focused public mandate. Staying true to that mandate, it has been innovative in its effort to upgrade its resources and improve the process of evaluating material safety data sheets (MSDSs).

Larry Stoffman: HMIRC 's diligence in alerting Canadian workers and employers to serious issues with the accuracy of those data sheets has inspired many organizations to take a closer look at the quality of their information.

Q: Any final comments about the Commission - its ongoing relevance and its character as an organization?

Yves Brissette: The Commission is well respected by Treasury Board for the strides it has made in improving its approach to cost recovery, leveraging technology to achieve greater efficiency in claims analysis and evolving its staffing practices to eliminate the claims backlog.

Larry Stoffman: HMIRC 's professionalism and its passion for carrying out its mandate is unsurpassed.

David Curley: Claimants from all over Canada and the U.S. have expressed how they wish other agencies were as open, cooperative, understanding and transparent as HMIRC.

David Bennett: HMIRC is carrying out a necessary social mission with a great deal of efficiency.

Sharon Watts: We are committed to ongoing renewal - to staying connected to our mandate and maintaining a forward-thinking orientation. In doing so, we can ensure our relevance over the long term and move Canada's occupational safety and health system to the fore as an international model of excellence.