WP Annual Conference | June 5-7, 2024 | Niagara Falls
The Annual WP Pensions + Benefits Conference has been an ongoing June tradition for over two decades, bringing together our clients from around the province. Together, we explore topics that matter for Indigenous employer and employee well-being, including mental/emotional, workplace, and financial health. Join us for insightful conversations, expert workshops, and engaging keynote speakers.
We've listened to your feedback and we’ll be back in Niagara Falls for a 2.5-day event! In the coming weeks we’ll share the agenda and logistics.
- June 5 - 6pm - 8pm - Conference Day 1 - Welcome meet & greet
- June 6 - 9am - 4pm - Conference Day 2
- June 7 - 9am - 12pm - Conference Day 3
Register now!
To book your hotel stay click here.
Speaker Spotlights
Sheryl Johnson, Sullivan Mahoney LLP
Sheryl joined Sullivan Mahoney LLP in 2019 and is a member of their Employment and Labour Law Group. She is the author of Sexual Harassment in Canada: A Guide for Understanding and Prevention and has appeared before the HUMA Committee as an expert witness on the issue of workplace violence.
In her employment practice, Sheryl provides timely strategic advice and perspective on all aspects of the employment relationship provincially and federally, including recommending and assisting in implementing effective measures to expediently manage and proactively address all types of workplace issues, negotiations and disputes. This includes negotiating executive compensation packages and employment contracts; drafting and interpreting restrictive covenants such as confidentiality, nondisclosure and intellectual property agreements; providing advice on and negotiating severance packages and wrongful dismissal actions; drafting human resources handbooks, policies and best practices and providing training and seminars on the same; advising clients on all employment and privacy statutory matters (i.e., human rights, occupational health and safety, workers compensation, pay equity, workplace and medical privacy, cannabis and employment standards entitlements and obligations); advising on governance matters and jurisdictional issues; and conducting or overseeing workplace assessments, audits and investigations.
In her labour practice, Sheryl advises management on all facets of labour relations in the provincial and federal jurisdictions. This includes such matters as union certification drives and employer free speech campaigns, unfair labour practice applications, related and successor employer applications, collective bargaining, and conciliation and representation before the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Canada Industrial Relations, grievance arbitrators and grievance arbitration boards. Sheryl’s practice focuses on, but is not limited to, construction labour law.
Sheryl was born and raised in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Prior to joining Sullivan Mahoney, she practiced employment and labour, privacy, cannabis, Aboriginal and Indigenous, administrative and civil litigation law in Toronto at recognized and well-respected labour and employment law boutique firms and a mid-size full-service firm. Sheryl is committed to giving back to her Niagara community and sits on a number of not-for-profit boards.
Richard (Rick) Hansen, M.Ed., R.P.
Rick is a seasoned, bilingual, Indigenous (Métis) and Filipino executive, who has dedicated his professional career to strategic policy and initiatives in the areas of health, education, socio-economic development and executive leadership. Rick is a registered psychotherapist (CRPO), C-suite executive coach, Mental Health Commission of Canada trainer, and highly sought-after public affairs expert through Health Canada (SOS), as well as an Employee and Family Assistance Program workshop facilitator.
Rick’s private sector executive role (Siemens Indigenous Affairs Executive Director) involved extensive time, travel and strategic responsibility on all major projects in infrastructure, energy, health and industry/manufacturing involving Indigenous peoples in North and South America, government (First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Federal, Provincial & municipal), organized labour and international industry stakeholders. With his vast trauma response experience, Rick has assisted a large number of high-profile crisis interventions. He provides psycho–emotional support to individuals, their families and communities to which they belong as they face unexpected life and corporate challenges.
Rick believes it is his time to pay it forward and give back to the communities that supported him. He has been a member of the Indigenous programs board (IPC) at the Banff Centre for over a decade and currently works with organizations to shape an inclusive and respectful workplace path toward the future. Rick finds satisfaction through empowering Canadians with anti-discrimination/restorative justice practices, from education to development and implementation. He promotes mental health awareness through public speaking engagements for the Government of Canada and Fortune 500 companies. He promotes that by focusing on ME it supports the greater WE and together WE are stronger!
Kristy Cork, Workplace Safety and Prevention Services
With a sharp focus on psychological safety, Kristy assists leaders in developing purpose-driven, employee focused workplace cultures that support and respect workers as individuals. In her role as Specialized Consultant – Healthy Workplaces, she understands that, to thrive, workers need to be supported by an integrated approach that includes physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Kristy is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP), and a Certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor (CMHA). She continues to advance her education, pursuing a Degree in Psychology through Athabasca University. Seeing the positive impact of her work, reducing the risk of mental harm for workers, is what keeps her motivated and inspired.