Appointments to the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada

Three year mandates for Dr. John M. Sehmer and Dr. Christopher J. Brooks

OTTAWA, April 17, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, today announced the appointments of Dr. John Sehmer of Vancouver, B.C., and Dr. Christopher Brooks of Ottawa, Ontario, to the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada (TATC), each for a three-year term.

Dr. Sehmer is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia Medical School in the Department of Family Practice, runs his own general practice, specializing in industrial medicine, and is a staff member at Vancouver General Hospital. He has extensive experience as a certified medical examiner for the marine and air sectors (pilots). In addition Dr. Sehmer is a medical advisor for Great West Life and Desjardins, an occupational medicine consultant for corporations such as the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Petro-Can/Suncor and Chevron, and is co-chair of the British Columbia Medical Association's WorksafeBC Liaison Committee. Dr. Sehmer has published numerous articles in the Canadian Medical Association Journal and other journals and is a fellow of the Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine.

Dr. Christopher Brooks is a physician, scientist and inventor. Dr. Brooks has 47 years of experience as a physician in the navy, in industry and in private practice. His background includes a wide range of positions such as medical officer onboard a nuclear submarine, flight surgeon, commanding officer for the Royal Canadian Navy at Stadacona Hospital in Halifax, and command surgeon for both the Canadian Air Command and the Canadian Maritime Command. For 11 years, he was the Director of R&D at Survival Systems Ltd., Dartmouth, N.S., where he introduced emergency breathing systems into helicopters for the Canadian offshore oil industry. Currently, he is a consultant in occupational medicine for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, Transport Canada and the Department of National Defence. Among the awards Dr. Brooks has received are the Order of Military Merit, Queen's Jubilee Medal and the Canadian General Standards Board's highest achievement award for his work on survival suits and life jackets. In addition, he has published over 70 books, reports and papers on occupational health and safety issues.

Quick Facts

• The Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada (TATC) serves Canadians by conducting hearings of federal enforcement and licensing decisions in the transportation industry. Specifically, the Tribunal hears cases across the country in the aviation, marine, rail, and bridges and tunnels sectors, including medical cases. Through a process of reviews and appeals, the TATC provides a transparent forum for communication and conflict resolution.

Quote

"Dr. Sehmer and Dr. Brooks have outstanding skills as physicians, leaders and specialists in occupational medicine that will be invaluable to the work of the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada, particularly in reviewing medically related matters."
The Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport

Associated Link

Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada

SOURCE: Transport Canada

Ashley Kelahear
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-991-0700

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055

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