Message From Our Board Chair

Over the last five years, “unprecedented” has frequently been used to describe the economic, social, and climate-related challenges communities in our province have faced. Despite these uncertainties, Technical Safety BC has demonstrated its resilience and agility by fulfilling our safety mandate, while investing in business transformation. I am confident the organization has the right Strategy, approach, and people to accomplish our goals and move us closer to our aspiration of building confidence in a safety system that improves the wellbeing of British Columbians.

As a Board, our role is to ensure good governance, and we are committed to supporting the opportunities and challenges facing both Technical Safety BC and the safety system. This past year, we reviewed our data and artificial intelligence practices and policies, as well as our financial sustainability models, to ensure they are aligned with the current and evolving landscape. We also utilized the Board’s diverse expertise, along with insights from external experts, to support various important initiatives, including enhancing our capability for effective oversight of emergency preparedness, cybersecurity, and climate-related threats.

The Board also focused our efforts on ensuring the organization’s environmental, social, and governance commitment, and Indigenous reconciliation work, reflects the needs of clients, partners, employees, and communities. In 2024, Technical Safety BC examined its role in safety equity by working internally and with partners to better understand the connections between the safety system and Indigenous Nations. The organization also introduced specific reconciliation-focused competencies within an internal performance evaluation process. These competencies build accountability for employees and leaders, and outline what it looks like to contribute meaningfully to reconciliation.at Technical Safety BC.

The safety system is most effective when everyone understands their role in keeping regulated equipment and people safe. Looking ahead, the Board will support Technical Safety BC in its work to ensure that all safety system participants understand - and act on - their responsibilities. This will involve enhanced efforts around education, compliance, and, when required, enforcement.

In 2024, we welcomed Cathy McIntyre, Abigail Fulton, and Manjit Bains to the Board. Their diverse wealth of knowledge and expertise will be invaluable as the organization continues to advance our Strategy. I would also like to extend my gratitude to outgoing board members Nancy Olewiler and David Guscott for their dedication to the safety of British Columbians.

On behalf of the entire Board, I thank Technical Safety BC’s employees, executive leadership, clients, and partners for their continued hard work and commitment to the safety system.

You can read more about the safety-focused work we accomplished in our 2024 State of Safety report.

 

George Abbott
Chair of the Board