Minister Ambrose announces appointments to the Canada Industrial Relations Board

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, January 15, 2010—The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Labour, today announced three appointments to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). Mr. Henry Allan Hope has been appointed as a part-time Vice-Chairperson, as well as Mr. William Terence Lineker and Ms. Cynthia Catherine Oliver as part-time Members representing Employers and Employees, respectively.

“In an effort to strengthen and improve the management of the CIRB and make it more responsive to local issues and more accessible to organizations, I have decided to establish a regional CIRB panel with part-time appointees in British Columbia,” said Minister Ambrose. “This regional panel will allow stakeholders to present issues locally, improve the timeliness of decisions, as well as avoid time-zone discrepancies. I am very pleased to announce the appointment of these three individuals who will bring a broad spectrum of knowledge and significant expertise to the Board.”

Mr. Hope’s qualifications include 45 years as an arbitrator and mediator in several hundred labour, environmental and commercial disputes. In these situations, he served individually as a neutral third party or as a neutral chair of various boards or commissions. As a conciliation commissioner, he was given the mandate to investigate a dispute between the three railways that make up the bulk of the rail industry in Canada and its unions. He was also appointed as sole arbitrator in numerous collective agreements with B.C. Rail and Alcan, and he was appointed chair of a three-person commission charged with the task of making recommendations with respect to the compensation of provincial court judges.

Mr. Lineker and Ms. Oliver also have extensive knowledge and expertise dealing with labour relation issues.

Mr. Lineker has over 42 years experience as a human resources manager at the divisional and corporate levels in areas including industrial and employee relations, and wage, salary and benefits administration. Since 1997, he has occupied the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Forest Industrial Relations Ltd.

Ms. Oliver has over 25 years experience as a union leader on diverse labour relations issues with public policy and community organizations. Since 2002, she has occupied the position of President of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of British Columbia. Her experience with the organization includes leading provincial bargaining in the post-secondary education sector, as well as leading public advocacy on post-secondary education issues and collaborative efforts with the broader labour movement. She also represents members and locals in the grievance and arbitration process.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board is an independent, representational, quasi‑judicial tribunal responsible for the interpretation and administration of Part I (Industrial Relations) and certain provisions of Part II (Occupational Health and Safety) of the Canada Labour Code. The Board’s mandate is to contribute to and promote effective industrial relations in any work, undertaking or business that falls within the authority of the Parliament of Canada.

For more information on the Board, please visit http://www.cirb-ccri.gc.ca/.

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For further information (media only):

Office of Minister Ambrose
819-953-5646

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