Appointments Made to Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation
Review Division

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, today announced the appointment of three new review commissioners and two re-appointments to the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Review Division.

The new review commissioners are Peter Budgell, Diane Payne and Lloyd Piercey. As well, Alex Harrold and E. Bruce Peckford have been re-appointed to the review division as review commissioner and Chief Review Commissioner respectively. Effective June 6, 2011, the appointments of the review commissioners are for a three-year term while the Chief Review Commissioner is for a five-year term.

"These individuals will undoubtedly strengthen the capacity of the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Review Division to hear appeals by workers and employers throughout the province," said Minister King. "I am pleased they have accepted the responsibility of serving with the review division and will support the adjudication of appeals related to workplace health, safety and compensation matters.”

The Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Review Division 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.

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Media contact:
Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca 

BACKGROUNDER
Biographical Information

E. Bruce Peckford
Mr. Peckford is a retired provincial public servant who has held several senior positions, 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 served as Chair of the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission Statutory Review Committee and was originally appointed as a review commissioner in 2008.

Alex Harrold
Mr. Harrold has served as a review commissioner with the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation 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. 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. Mr. Harrold is a resident of Westport.

Peter Budgell
Peter Budgell is currently a resident of Bishop’s Falls. As manager of the Exploits Community Employment Corporation since 2000, Mr. Budgell is a strong advocate for providing employment opportunities for persons with developmental or cognitive delays. He has worked with youth on career exploration while employed with the Exploits Valley Integrated School Board and is the former Provincial Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of Canada. Mr. Budgell has a history of extensive community involvement through groups such as the Minor Hockey Association, Kinsman Club, Knights of Columbus, Exploits Youth Justice Committee and is also currently a trustee with the Nova Central School Board.

Diane Payne
Ms. Payne is presently employed by the Historic Sites Association of Newfoundland and Labrador at Castle Hill, Placentia. Ms. Payne has significant experience in the retail grocery sector and is a former owner/operator of a retail grocery franchise. She is active in her community having dedicated countless hours to various volunteer initiatives with Sacred Heart Parish, St. Edward’s School, Laval High School, and Crime Stoppers. She currently resides in Placentia and is an active volunteer of the Lions Club.

Lloyd Piercey
Mr. Piercey has a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education with Memorial University of Newfoundland. He has most recently served as Special Assistant to Bill Matthews, former Member of Parliament for Random-Burin-St. George’s. Mr. Piercey is a past academic department Chairperson for Eastern College, Burin Campus and facilitated the exploration of training and work options for displaced fishery workers following the cod moratorium. He has also worked as an Adult Basic Education instructor, Continuing Education coordinator, and an instructor at Eastern College. Mr. Piercey is a resident of Fortune and has served in various executive positions for groups and committees within the community.

2011 07 20                                                                                      9:55 a.m.