CALGARY: Safety took center stage last month as The Calgary Airport Authority (“The Authority”) received the 2024 Canada’s Safest Employers Award in the Public Sector/Non-Profit Employer category. This award, presented by Canadian Occupational Safety, recognizes The Authority’s efforts to maintain rigorous workplace health and safety practices.
“To be recognized as Canada's Safest Employer is a true honour, but it is also a responsibility we take seriously,” said Chief Operating Officer for The Authority, Chris Miles. “As we look to the future, we will continue to strive for excellence in safety, building on our strong foundation and exploring innovative solutions. This award is a milestone, not a destination.”
The Authority’s Director of Safety, Security, Compliance and Emergency Response, Paul Hayes, and General Manager of SMS Safety, Tyrel Oostlander, accepted the award at a ceremony in Toronto on October 10.
“At YYC, we know safety goes beyond policies and procedures—it’s about people proactively looking out for one another every single day,” said Hayes. “Being recognized with this award is a testament to our team's hard work, vigilance and continuous innovation in safety practices.”
This past September, The Authority conducted its annual full-scale emergency exercise, which brought together local first responders and community partners in a mock scenario to practice its coordinated emergency response procedures. To create a realistic environment for emergency responders and other participating agencies, 29 volunteers from The Authority acted as passengers. The simulation utilized The Authority’s 737-200 training aircraft.
In addition to its emergency preparedness exercise, The Authority’s “See Something, Say Something” campaign encourages all staff to report potential hazards or unusual activity without hesitation, promoting a culture of vigilance. This initiative, along with continuous safety audits, training programs and a transparent reporting system, has created a strong safety framework that contributed to the organization’s recognition.
For 14 years, the Canada’s Safest Employers Awards have been the leading independent awards program in the occupational health and safety profession. The awards recognize outstanding health and safety professionals and organizations for their achievements, leadership and innovation each year. To learn more about the 2024 Canada’s Safest Employers Awards, visit
safestemployers.com
About The Calgary Airport Authority
The Calgary Airport Authority is a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the Regional Airports Authorities Act of Alberta. The Authority is responsible for the management, operation and development of YYC Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Springbank Airport (YBW). The Authority’s commitment to safety remains a top priority. Our airports are important economic generators for the city, region and province, supporting thousands of jobs and generating billions in GDP through associated economic activity. The Authority was also recognized as one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 2024.
Media Contact:
The Calgary Airport Authority
403-735-5899