The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, today announced the appointment of five review commissioners to the Workplace, Health and Safety Compensation Review Division (WHSCRD).

The new review commissioners are Janet Garland, Valerie Hoskins, Robert S. Jones, and E. Bruce Peckford. As well, Alex Harrold is re-appointed to the review division. Effective immediately, the appointments are for a three-year term.

The WHSCRD is a quasi-judicial body established under Section 21 of the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act that considers appeals arising from decisions of the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission. These appeals can deal with matters such as compensation benefits, rehabilitation, return- to-work services and benefits, and the workplace obligations of employers and workers.

"These individuals will strengthen the capacity of the Workplace, Health and Safety Compensation Review Division to hear appeals being brought before it by workers and employers," said Minister Skinner. "I thank them for agreeing to play this integral role so that we continue to have an effective workers� compensation system that provides high quality client service."

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Media contact:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-4062, 728-9623
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca

Ms. Garland is a resident of Corner Brook. She currently works as a registered nurse with the Newfoundland and Labrador Health Line. Previous to this, Ms. Garland worked as a registered nurse at the Captain William Jackman Memorial Hospital in Labrador City and the Salvation Army Glenbrook Lodge in St. John�s. She has a Diploma of Nursing from the Prince Edward Island School of Nursing and a Diploma in Computer Studies from Keyin College in St. John�s.

Ms. Hoskins is a resident of St. Alban�s. She presently works as a French teacher in King�s Point. She also teaches with the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation and Bay d�Espoir Academy in Milltown. During her teaching career, Ms. Hoskins has worked throughout the province in Port au Choix, Norris Point, Port au Port, Corner Brook, and St. Alban�s. Ms. Hoskins has a Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Education, as well as a Master of Education from Memorial University. She is as a provincial trainer with the Girl Guides of Canada and has been a member of the Coast of Bays Primary Health Care Community Advisory Committee.

Mr. Jones is a resident of Stephenville. He most recently worked as the Assistant Superintendent of the West Coast Correctional Centre with the Department of Justice. Throughout his 26 years with the Department of Justice, Mr. Jones has also worked at correctional centres in St. John�s, Labrador, and Corner Brook.

Mr. Peckford is a resident of St. John�s. He is a retired provincial public servant who has held several senior positions with the public service, including Deputy Minister of Social Services, Deputy Minister of Works Services and Transportation, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Board Secretariat, and Executive Director of Finance and Administration with the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission. Mr. Peckford is the past Chair of the Eastern School District and Board member of the Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and a former Board member of the Canadian Cancer Society, Newfoundland and Labrador Division. He has most recently served as Chair of the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission Statutory Review Committee.

Mr. Harrold is a resident of Westport. He has served as a Review Commissioner with the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission Review Division since 2005. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Southwest Missouri University and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie University. Mr. Harrold is a former teacher who taught at Baie Verte High School and he has also worked with the Department of Justice. Mr. Harrold has also been a member of the Baie Verte Peninsula Health Care Board and is a former provincial Vice-President of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.