Toronto, April 26, 2024 ­– Ronan O’Leary has been appointed Fair Practices Commissioner by the Board of Directors of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). In this independent role, Mr. O’Leary will help ensure fair practices at the WSIB.The five-year appointment was made following the completion of Mr. O’Leary’s six-month tenure as interim Commissioner.

“Mr. O’Leary has demonstrated sound leadership in the ombudsman field,” said Grant Walsh, Chair of the WSIB. “We are confident that his skills and experience make him well qualified to continue leading the Commission’s important work.”

As an ombuds office, the Fair Practices Commission provides an independent, neutral and confidential service for people with work-related injuries and illnesses, employers and service providers who have complaints about the service they receive at the WSIB. It also tracks trends in complaints, identifies issues and recommends improvements.

“I am dedicated to helping ensure the workplace insurance system is accountable and transparent and am honoured to receive this appointment,” said O’Leary. “If anyone has concerns about the service they have received from the WSIB, I invite them to contact my office and we will do our best to help resolve the issue.”

O’Leary joined the Fair Practices Commission in 2021 as Deputy Commissioner. Previously, he held progressive investigative and management positions for ten years in the Ombudsman of Ontario office. Prior to moving to Canada in 2010, Mr. O’Leary completed his Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) and Master of Laws (LLM) degrees at University College Cork, Ireland. Upon completing the Federation of Law Societies of Canada accreditation process, he was called to the Ontario bar in 2013.

For further information, please contact:
media@wsib.on.ca