Modern Niagara’s Mental Health and Psychological Safety Specialist Named Among Canada’s Top Women in Safety
Ottawa, ON – Modern Niagara is pleased to announce that our Mental Health and Psychological Safety Specialist, Verna Liezl Perdon has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top Women in Safety by Canadian Occupational Safety. 
This prestigious honour celebrates the noteworthy accomplishments of the top performing female safety leaders in the industry. Following an extensive 12-month assessment period conducted by Canadian Occupational Safety, Perdon was recognized for her exceptional dedication and commitment to promoting health and safety.
“It is an honour, and I am incredibly grateful to be recognized as one of the top female safety leaders in Canada. Our health and safety culture is top of mind and I am proud to be part of a workplace and team that recognizes this and makes it a priority. Increasing knowledge and awareness regarding mental health, substance use, and resources are crucial and breaks down stigma and other barriers. More conversations are needed surrounding mental health and substance use in the construction sector, so knowing the positive impact through the work our team does and being a change agent motivates me every day”, says Verna Liezl Perdon, Mental Health and Psychological Safety Specialist.
Modern Niagara fosters a robust safety culture in which every employee is considered a safety leader. We believe that safety is non-negotiable. In every aspect of our operations, we continually review processes and procedures, implement training, and provide resources and tools to employees to ensure compliance with all industry safety legislation and regulations.
“Verna has been the visionary who has tackled the difficult challenge of opioids, suicide, and mental health in the construction sector. Construction has been historically resistant to such conversations with unfortunate consequences, but Verna has been steadfast in building the mental health & psychological safety program at Modern Niagara with poise and passion. We have seen a very positive impact due to her and the MHPS team efforts”, says Erin Oliver, Vice President of Health, Safety & Sustainability.
Verna Liezl Perdon’s demonstrated innovation and exemplary leadership have earned her a well-deserved spot in the esteemed 2024 COS Top Women in Safety list.
Chris Sweeney, Managing Editor for Special Reports at Canadian Occupational Safety, shared his insights on the selection process, stating, “The dedication and initiative that all the nominees displayed in making workplaces safer was inspiring. Verna Liezl Perdon displayed those qualities and more, so is a well-deserving winner and a leading light across the sector in Canada.”
About Modern Niagara
Modern Niagara is one of Canada’s largest national mechanical, electrical, building services, and integrated building technology contractors that delivers to its clients a broad spectrum of service offerings for existing buildings as well as new construction.
Media Inquiries: Jessica Dagg
Director, Brand and Communications
jdagg@modernniagara.com
About 2024 Canadian Occupational Safety’s Top Women in Safety
Canadian Occupational Safety invited OHS professionals from across the country to nominate exceptional female leaders for the fourth annual Top Women in Safety list. Nominees had to be working in a role that related to, interacted with, or in some way influenced the health and safety sector. They must also have demonstrated a commitment to their profession.
Nominators were asked to describe the nominee’s standout professional achievements over the past 12 months, the initiatives and innovations, and contributions to the OHS industry.
To narrow down the list to the final 65 Top Women in Safety, the COS team reviewed all nominations, examining how each individual had made a meaningful contribution to the industry.
