Left to right: Perry MacKinnon and Ethan Murray. Credit: PEI Workers Compensation Board.
Charlottetown, October 23, 2025 – The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) is pleased to announce that Perry MacKinnon and Ethan Murray are this year’s recipients of the Safe Youth Award. Presented annually, the award recognizes young workers in Prince Edward Island who have shown a strong commitment to understanding and applying Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) principles in their workplaces. Each recipient receives a $1,000 cash prize in recognition of their achievement.
Perry MacKinnon, recipient of the award in the 20–24-year age category, is a power line technician with H-Line Enterprises. He was nominated as the company’s first Young Safety Champion for completing his training to a high standard and for his active role on H-Line’s Joint Occupational Health and Safety (JOHS) Committee. Known as a dedicated and safety-conscious worker, Perry consistently prioritizes safe practices, raises concerns to protect his crew, and demonstrates leadership on the job site. His professionalism and commitment to safety have made him a valued member of the H-Line team.
Ethan Murray, recipient of the award in the 15–19-year age category, is recognized for his strong understanding of workers’ core rights and his proactive approach to safety in his role with PEI’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. Ethan has supported health and safety initiatives such as hearing testing, noise monitoring, tracking training completions, and assisting with new worker orientation. Ethan has also contributed to JOHS Committee meetings and incident investigations, demonstrating his commitment to safe work practices. His positive attitude and eagerness to learn have made him a valued team member.
“Congratulations to the 2025 Safe Youth Award recipients,” said Danny Miller, WCB’s Director of Occupational Health and Safety. “Perry and Ethan have shown that safety is a shared responsibility and that young workers, like all workers, can contribute to a strong workplace health and safety culture. We are pleased to be able to recognize these young workers who are prioritizing safety at the start of their careers and who are great role models for other young workers.”
For additional information, please visit wcb.pe.ca.