March 04, 2005

Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan today announced that Thomas J. P. Farrell has been appointed the interim chair of the Workers Compensation Board.

"Mr. Farrell brings a significant level of experience in labour to this position and we are pleased he has accepted this appointment," said Allan. "As a former deputy minister of labour, he has an excellent understanding of the issues and challenges facing Manitoba’s workforce."

From 1960 to 1989, Farrell worked in a variety of positions at Inco in Thompson and served several terms as a councillor and mayor of the northern city. Farrell joined the provincial government in 1989 serving in several capacities including a term as acting chief executive officer of the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba, prior to being appointed deputy minister of Labour and Immigration in 1993. He retired from public service in 2003.

Farrell replaces Wally Fox-Decent who served as the chair of the Workers Compensation Board from 1992 until his retirement last month.

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