Global Justice Expert Takes Helm of WorkSafeBC Fairness Oversight

RICHMOND, BC – May 01, 2026 – A new chapter in independent oversight begins today at WorkSafeBC with the appointment of Simmi K. Sandhu, an internationally recognized leader in administrative justice, as the new Fair Practices Commissioner (FPC). Sandhu steps into the crucial role tasked with ensuring procedural fairness for the thousands of workers, employers, and dependants who interact with British Columbia's workers' compensation system.

Ms. Sandhu succeeds Allan Seckel, who completed his term as the inaugural commissioner. The FPC office was established by the provincial government in 2023 as an independent body to provide an impartial avenue for complaints that cannot be resolved through WorkSafeBC's internal channels.

Upon beginning her term, Sandhu affirmed her dedication to the office's core principles. "Independence, impartiality, and fairness are central to the work of this office," she stated. "I am committed to carrying out these responsibilities in a manner that is respectful, thorough, and consistent with the mandate of the Commissioner."

Her appointment signals a continued commitment to enhancing accountability and trust within a system that is vital to the province's economic and social fabric.

A Mandate for Fairness, Not Merits

The Fair Practices Commissioner occupies a unique and specific space within the WorkSafeBC ecosystem. Established through legislative changes in Bill 41, the office was designed to function at arm's length from WorkSafeBC, reporting directly to its Board of Directors but operating with functional independence. Its primary mandate is not to re-adjudicate claims but to investigate complaints of alleged unfairness in the process.

This includes issues such as unreasonable delays, poor communication, inconsistent application of policies, and staff conduct. For workers and employers who feel they have been treated unfairly in their dealings with the organization, the FPC provides a formal channel for investigation and resolution. The office can make recommendations to WorkSafeBC on how to resolve individual complaints and, critically, can identify and recommend solutions for systemic problems that may be causing repeated issues for stakeholders.

However, the FPC’s jurisdiction is carefully delineated. The office cannot review the merits of individual decisions on compensation, assessments, or prevention matters. Those decisions remain subject to a separate, well-established appeal path. Complainants must first seek a review from WorkSafeBC's Review Division and, if necessary, can appeal further to the independent Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal (WCAT), which is the final level of appeal.

Before a complaint can even be brought to the FPC, it must first be reviewed by WorkSafeBC's own Issue Resolution Office (IRO). The FPC acts as a second-level backstop, providing an independent review for those who remain unsatisfied with the IRO's handling of their fairness complaint.

An International Leader with a Local Focus

Simmi K. Sandhu brings a formidable and diverse portfolio of experience to the role. Her career spans senior adjudicative and leadership positions across B.C.'s administrative justice system, as well as on federal and international tribunals. This extensive background provides her with a unique perspective on the principles of fairness and due process.

Currently, she serves as a Judge on the United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT), an appointment made by the UN General Assembly in 2018, and she held the prestigious position of President of that tribunal in 2023. She is also a Judge on the Asian Development Bank Administrative Tribunal, underscoring her global expertise in resolving complex administrative disputes.

Closer to home, her impact on British Columbia's justice landscape is significant. She previously served as Chair of the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT), where she championed initiatives to make justice more accessible and equitable. Under her leadership, the CRT focused on better serving marginalized clients, enhancing culturally appropriate services for Indigenous people, and translating resources into multiple languages to break down barriers for diverse communities. She also spearheaded the development of victim-centered and trauma-informed processes for sensitive cases.

Her resume also includes serving as Chair and CEO of the Property Assessment Appeal Board and Vice Chair roles for both the Surface Rights Board and the Health Professions Discipline Tribunal. An accomplished educator in administrative law, she was recognized with the Award for Exceptional Service to the Administrative Justice Community by the BC Council of Administrative Tribunals in 2014.

Building Trust Through Independent Oversight

The creation and continued support of the Fair Practices Commissioner's office reflect a broader governmental trend toward strengthening public trust in administrative bodies through independent oversight. For institutions like WorkSafeBC, which make decisions that profoundly affect people's lives and livelihoods, the perception of fairness is as important as the fairness itself.

By providing a dedicated, specialized ombudsman-like function, the FPC can address frustrations that fall outside the narrow scope of a formal appeal. A worker may have ultimately received the correct compensation, for instance, but experienced debilitating delays or disrespectful communication along the way. These are the types of procedural grievances the FPC is empowered to investigate.

As the office matures under its second commissioner, its impact will be measured not only by the individual complaints it resolves but by the systemic improvements it inspires. The annual reports submitted to the WorkSafeBC Board of Directors and the Minister of Labour provide a transparent record of the types of issues arising and the recommendations made. The inaugural report from the office noted that while no systemic issues were identified in its first few months, future reports would provide more comprehensive data as the volume of cases grew.

With Ms. Sandhu's deep experience in both adjudicating disputes and reforming justice systems, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how her leadership shapes the evolution of fairness and accountability within British Columbia's workers' compensation system.