Prevention Link’s Advocate Recognition Award goes to a workers compensation activist who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and perseverance in advancing disability prevention or accommodation issues in the community and/or workplace. Also, how this person has educated or increased awareness to others and or any workers compensation or disability rights contribution experience.
Award Recipients
Prevention Link would like to acknowledge all recipients of the Prevention Link (formally ODRT) award for their commitment to advocacy for ill, injured, and disabled workers.
If we have missed any award recipients, please contact azhyn@preventionlink.ca to have the list updated.
| Award Recipients | Union | Labour Council | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| David J. Chezzi | CUPE | OFL | Nov 2025 |
| Cory Schepers, Brian Bates, Devon Mahon | OPSEU | North Simcoe Muskoka | Apr 2025 |
| Justin Legros | OPSEU | North Simcoe Muskoka | Mar 2024 |
| Gavin Jacklyn | BPFFA | Brantford | Feb 2024 |
| Jennifer Orr | GEETF | Brantford | Feb 2024 |
| Debra Carmichael | CUPW | Brantford | Feb 2024 |
| Wayne Harris | UA Local 853 | Durham | Dec 2023 |
| Injured Workers Community Legal Clinic (IWC) | OFL | Nov 2023 | |
| IAVGO Community Legal Clinic | OFL | Nov 2023 | |
| Rav Bhatal | OSSTF | Oakville | Apr 2023 |
| Heike Schiller | ETFO | Orangeville | Mar 2023 |
| Trevor Russell | CUPE | North Bay | Dec 2022 |
| Jennifer Hare | OSSTF | Barrie | Dec 2022 |
| Andrew Zarnke | USW | Sudbury | Jan 2022 |
| Maryam Nazemi | IW’s | ONIWG | Jun 2021 |
| Rob Hybsky | UFCW | London | Jan 2021 |
| Jessica Montgomery | USW | Sudbury | Nov 2020 |
| Don Ashley | TCRC | OFL | Aug 2020 |
| David J. Chezzi | CUPE | OFL | Aug 2020 |
| Joanne Ford | UFCW | OFL | Aug 2020 |
| Lynda Horne | OPSEU | OFL | Aug 2020 |
| Andrew Kolar | PWU | OFL | Aug 2020 |
| Andy LaDouceur | USW | OFL | Aug 2020 |
| MaryAnne Laurico | PSAC | OFL | Aug 2020 |
| Steve Mantis (Injured Workers) | OFL | Aug 2020 | |
| Janice Martel (McIntyre Powder) | OFL | Aug 2020 | |
| Karen Pitsadiotis | PWU | OFL | Aug 2020 |
| Inderdeep Sidhu | WUCC | OFL | Aug 2020 |
| Phil Hames | UFCW | London | Jan 2020 |
| Brent Giroux | CUPE | North Bay | Dec 2019 |
| Jason Patterson | OPSEU | Kingston | Dec 2019 |
| Paul Taylor | IW’s | Guelph | Nov 2019 |
| Ian Leclair | Sault Ste Marie | May 2019 | |
| Kevin Jones | London | Jan 2019 | |
| Sara Neath | UFCW | Guelph | Nov 2018 |
| Julie Lynch | CUPE | Kingston | Oct 2018 |
| Debra Coulson | IUOE | Oakville | Oct 2018 |
| Orlando Buonastella | OPSEU | Toronto York | May 2018 |
| Ron LePage | OPSEU | North Simcoe | May 2018 |
| Christine Nugent | Barrie IWG | Barrie | Apr 2018 |
| David Kerr | OPSEU | St. Thomas | Jan 2018 |
| CUPE Niagara IW Advocacy comm | Jan 2018 | ||
| Michelle Fontaine | CUPE | Cornwall | Dec 2017 |
| Jeffrey Warner | OSSTF | Oakville | Nov 2017 |
| Cam Jay | OSSTF | Kingston | Nov 2017 |
| Tori Redgate | OPSEU | North Simcoe | May 2017 |
| Steve Boyle | CUPE | North Bay | Dec 2016 |
| Edie Strachan | OPSEU | 2015 | |
| Jeannie Howe | IW’s | Oakville | 2015 |
| Sherree Backus | UFCW | Brantford/Miss | 2014 |
| Connie Smith-Hurtubise | CUPE | 2014 | |
| Amy Korzack | ETFO | Oakville | 2014 |
| Rolly Marentette | Windsor | 2014 | |
| John Watson | OSSTF | Oakville | 2013 |
| Gail Campbell | 2010 | ||
| Pearl Sawyer | UFCW | 2010 | |
| Gary Hyrtsak | Timmins | 2010 | |
| David Wilken | 2007 | ||
| Jason Patterson | USW | Sudbury | 2006 |
| Mike McFadden | OPSEU | Kingston | 2005 |
| Eric DePoe | CUPW | Totonto | 2003 |
| Peter Denely | CUPW | Sault Ste Marie | |
| Peter Denley | CUPW | Ottawa | |
| Rick Hamiton | OPSEU | Algoma Mantoulin |
Lifetime Achievement Prevention Link Awards
Alec Farquhar
2017
Al Bieksa
2019
Steve Mantis
2021