Conestoga has been named Canada’s Safest Public Sector Employer for 2025 by Canadian Occupational Safety.
Steve Nieboer, manager of Campus Safety at Conestoga, accepted the college's award for Canada's Safest Public Sector Employer at a gala on October 9.
Hosted annually, Canada’s Safest Employers Awards (CSEAs) honour the nation’s top organizations and individuals in workplace health, safety and wellness. Winners were announced at a gala on October 9 in Toronto.
“We are proud to foster safe and inclusive spaces across all our campuses,” said Kirsty Bradley-McMurtrie, Associate Vice President, Risk Management. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our Safety & Security team and the entire Conestoga community, and affirms our commitment to protecting and empowering everyone we serve.”
Safety & Security is committed to protecting the rights of community members across all campuses and facilities in the eight communities the college serves, ensuring a professional, respectful and safe environment. The department works with the Conestoga community and promotes partnerships with local organizations to enhance personal safety through prevention, education and compliance.
Nominations for the CSEAs open earlier in the year to all occupational health and safety professionals, teams, companies and organizations from across Canada. The CSEAs team conducts research and draws on knowledge and information gained through Canadian Occupational Safety to shortlist nominees, who are then required to complete a more detailed submission form and an employee perception survey. Excellence Awardees are selected in each category based on the detailed submission form and survey and judged by an independent panel of experts, thought leaders and veterans in occupational health and safety, who vote for winners in each category based on the relevant criteria.
“It is an honour to be named Canada’s Safest Public Sector Employer and reflects the strong safety culture embedded across Conestoga,” said Steve Nieboer, manager of Campus Safety. “This achievement is a result of a shared commitment by our employees, leadership and partners to prioritize health, safety and wellness.”
Conestoga was named a CSEAs Excellence Awardee in the public/non-profit sector in 2024, highlighting the college’s commitment to employee well-being and health and safety.
CSEAs is recognized as the leading independent awards program in the occupational health and safety profession, honouring outstanding health and safety professionals and companies for their achievements, leadership and innovation.