IAPA Conference & Trade Show

Innovative strategies for safer and healthier workplaces

IAPA celebrates a milestone achievement when Health & Safety Canada 2007 takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from April 16 — 18, 2007. It marks IAPA’s 90th national annual conference and trade show — the foremost event of its kind in Canada and second largest in North America.

From the first conference in 1917 to present day, Health & Safety Canada serves as a vital source of occupational health and safety information. The three-day event features celebrated speakers, leading-edge sessions on occupational health and safety issues, and a dynamic trade exhibition showcasing innovative health and safety solutions for various work environments. CANECT 2007 (Canadian Environment Conference and Trade Show) will again co-locate with Health & Safety Canada 2007, bringing health, safety, and the environment under one roof.  Health & Safety Canada 2007 also runs in conjunction with the 2007 IALI (International Association of Labour Inspection) Conference taking place April 18 – 20.  Held for the first time in North America, IALI 2007 is co-hosted by IALI, the Ontario Ministry of Labour, and IAPA in cooperation with the International Labour Organization.

The first day of Health & Safety Canada 2007 begins with keynote speaker Craig Kielburger.  From a young age, Kielburger has been an advocate for children’s rights and in his teens founded the global organization (Kids Can) Free the Children.  Kielburger’s extraordinary work earned him three Nobel Peace Prize nominations and his story of active citizenship inspires youth and adults alike to take action in improving the world around them.  April 16 also features sessions on the transportation of dangerous goods; Assistant Deputy Minister of Labour, Helle Tosine, discussing the Ministry’s priorities and plans for 2007/08; “Measure the Stink” – an examination of how to measure and investigate odour problems; and Ontario’s strategy to prevent MSDs.

April 17 starts with a two-year update on the CEO Health & Safety Leadership Charter, an initiative to achieve a Canada-wide breakthrough in health and safety performance.  Immediately following is keynote speaker Chris Gardner, whose autobiography The Pursuit of Happyness inspired the same-titled major motion picture starring Will Smith as Gardner in an Academy Award®-nominated role.  Now a self-made multi-millionaire and President and CEO of the brokerage firm Gardner Rich & Co, Gardner started at the very bottom of the financial industry, often spending nights in a church shelter or in a bathroom at a Bay Area Rapid Transit station in Oakland, California.  His story is one of overcoming obstacles, facing the daunting task of balancing life’s responsibilities, and ultimately succeeding.

Tuesday also features Leadership Forum 2007, an opportunity for business leaders to explore how a robust health and safety program contributes to an organization’s corporate social responsibility and how that can translate into a sustainable business advantage.  The keynote speaker is none other than former Canadian Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Joe Clark.  Other speakers include CEOs, Vice-Presidents, and key senior executive leaders from Habitat for Humanity Canada, Waterloo North Hydro Inc, Worksafe BC, Magna International Inc., Alcan, and Imperial Oil.

Other highlights of April 17 include a session by best-selling author, nutritionist, and chef Rose Reisman, who, in addition to giving healthy cooking demonstrations on the trade show flow on Monday and Tuesday, will be discussing the balance of living well; a look at the WSIB’s accreditation program for Ontario workplaces; and Spencer Beach’s compelling story of surviving a flash chemical fire that reinforces the need for workplace accident and injury prevention.

April 18 features a keynote address by one of the most influential persons in the world, veteran diplomat and humanitarian Stephen Lewis.  A passionate and determined Lewis has worked to improve the human condition, both at home and abroad.   Stephen Lewis will make a panoramic sweep of international affairs, concentrating on globalization, poverty, health and safety of workers, and the place of corporate social responsibility in all of it.  Lewis’ address celebrates the last day of Health & Safety Canada 2007 and the official opening of the 2007 IALI Conference.

Other Wednesday content includes the ever popular Ministry of Labour mock trial; “Life After the New Asbestos Regulation 278/06”; 135 tips and tricks to improving any training session; and “Workplace Violence – a Canadian OH&S Issue.”  Conference’s closing lunch features Canada’s number one musical comedy duo, Bowser & Blue.

Registration for Health & Safety Canada 2007 after March 12 is $650 for 3 days, $400 for 1 day, and $25 for the Bowser & Blue lunch.  Special combined registration for Health & Safety Canada 2007 and 2007 IALI Conference is $945 after March 12.

For more information, visit www.iapa.ca or contact IAPA at 1-800-406-4272 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it