News Release: Perth County Named Canada’s Safest Public Sector Employer

TORONTO, ON – Perth County was named the 2026 Canada’s Safest Public Sector Employer at the Canada’s Safest Employer Awards at a ceremony held last night in Toronto. The event recognizes organizations and individuals that demonstrate exemplary workplace health and safety performance, innovative safety practices and a strong commitment to protecting the well-being of employees, contractors, visitors, and the public. 

“This award is a fantastic honour to be bestowed upon Perth County.” said Dean Trentowsky, Warden of Perth County. “This accomplishment is a testament to the continuous commitment of Council and Staff to prioritize workplace health and safety as a core component within the public services delivered by all County departments. It is a commitment that all Perth County citizens can be proud of each and every day.”

“I am incredibly proud of the entire team at Perth County.” said Lori Wolfe, Chief Administrative Officer. “This achievement demonstrates the significant collective effort and hard work of Staff and Council to achieve an exemplary health and safety record and a program that is top in its field for ensuring a safe and healthy workplace for staff and anyone who has access to our facilities.”

Marion McKeen, Director of Human Resources, added “The best health and safety programs often go unnoticed because they are built into the way people work each and every day. It is only when something unexpected happens that you truly appreciate the value of the training, preparation and support systems in place. I’m proud that Perth County has prioritized investment in the health and safety of our staff which, in turn, helps keep our communities and the public safe. This award reflects the collective commitment from our staff, leaders, Joint Health and Safety Committee members and workplace partners who make safety a daily priority.”

Perth County’s comprehensive Health and Safety Program reflects a proactive and collaborative approach to workplace well-being. The County has worked hard to build a culture where safety is embedded in day-to-day operations and employees are actively encouraged to contribute to safer workplaces. 

Perth County is particularly proud of a number of innovative initiatives that support employee health, safety and wellness, including a proactive mental health program for paramedics, specialized defensive driving training programs, and regular safety briefings and education for employees who work directly with the public. The County also provides ongoing investments in education, risk management and workplace wellness programs. 

This national recognition highlights Perth County’s commitment to fostering a workplace where health and safety are embedded in everything we do. It reflects an organizational culture that values prevention, accountability, continuous improvement and the wellbeing of employees and the public alike.

The Canada’s Safest Employers Awards recognize excellence in occupational health and safety through a multi-stage evaluation process. Following an open nomination period, submissions undergo research and verification by the awards team, with shortlisted candidates are required to complete an employee perception survey. Selected Excellence Awardees then advance to an independent panel of occupational health and safety experts, who evaluate submissions against category-specific criteria.

Canadian Occupational Safety has run the awards program annually since 2011, and this year's 23 categories spanned sectors including mining, oil and gas, construction, logistics, and the public and non-profit sectors.

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Media Contact:
Sarah Franklin, Communications Officer
sfranklin@perthcounty.ca
519-271-0531 ext 151

Attachments:

• News Release - Perth County Named Canada’s Safest Public Sector Employer (PDF)
• Downloadable Photo - Caption (left to right): Krystal Holmes (HR Generalist), Bill Wilson (Director of Public Works), Vanessa Giroux (Executive Assistant to the CAO), Charlotte Gravlev (Manager of Legislative Services / Clerk), Lori Wolfe (Chief Administrative Officer), Ian Brown (Commander, Paramedic Services), Marion McKeen (Director of Human Resources), Sue Orr (Deputy Warden), Stefan Zhelev (Executive Director of Legal / Corporate Services), Jill Pacheco (Court Services Clerk)