Local support, smart strategies, stronger businesses
Staff Spotlight: Katrina White
We are excited to welcome Katrina to the West-Can HR team as our newest HR Recruiter! With a passion for connecting people and creating positive experiences, Katrina is looking forward to supporting employers and job seekers throughout the recruitment process and helping build meaningful workplace connections in our Westman community.
Born and raised in Brandon, Katrina recently graduated from Brandon University with a Bachelor of Business Administration specializing in Talent Management. She also brings over seven years of experience in administration, customer service, and client relations, giving her a strong foundation in communication, relationship building, and providing client-focused support.
As she begins this new chapter in her career, Katrina is excited to learn and contribute to helping local businesses find the right talent while supporting candidates as they take the next step in their career journeys. Her enthusiasm for working with people and her connection to the community make her a wonderful addition to the West-Can HR team.
Outside of work, Katrina enjoys spending time with her partner, family, and friends. She loves travelling, discovering new restaurants, and spending time outdoors, bringing the same appreciation for connection and relationships into both her personal and professional life.
Please join us in welcoming Katrina to the team. We are excited to have her on board and look forward to seeing all the great things she will accomplish with West-Can HR!
Bill 29: Understanding Psychological Safety in Manitoba Workplaces
By: West-Can HR
For many years, workplace safety discussions focused primarily on preventing physical injuries. Employers invested in safety training, protective equipment, hazard assessments, and procedures to ensure employees could return home safely at the end of each day. While these measures remain essential, the conversation around workplace safety has continued to evolve.
Today, employers are being asked to look beyond physical hazards and consider another important part of workplace health and safety: psychological safety.
In Manitoba, Bill 29, The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act, expanded the purpose of workplace safety legislation to include psychologically safe workplaces. The amendment recognizes that workplace safety extends beyond physical hazards and includes protecting workers’ psychological well-being by promoting safe and respectful work environments and taking active measures to prevent harm.
This change is especially relevant for Human Resources professionals.
For many organizations, HR is often the first place employees turn when they are experiencing challenges at work. An employee may not always come forward saying they are experiencing a psychological safety concern. Instead, they may report feeling overwhelmed, unsupported, uncomfortable raising concerns, or struggling with workplace relationships. These situations require HR professionals and leaders to look beyond the immediate complaint and consider whether there are workplace factors contributing to the issue.
This is where proactive HR practices become essential.
Creating a psychologically safe workplace is not about eliminating every workplace challenge or ensuring that employees never experience stress. Instead, it is about identifying workplace risks, addressing concerns early, and creating an environment where employees feel respected and comfortable speaking up. Clear policies, respectful workplace training, effective communication, leadership development, and consistent handling of employee concerns all play an important role in supporting psychological safety.
Bill 29 also highlights the importance of moving from a reactive approach to a preventative approach. Rather than waiting until an issue becomes a formal complaint or results in employee turnover, employers can take steps to identify potential concerns early. Regular check-ins, employee feedback opportunities, and strong manager-employee relationships can help organizations recognize issues before they become larger problems.
While every workplace is different, one principle remains consistent: a safe workplace is one where employees are protected both physically and psychologically. Employers who prioritize psychological safety are not only supporting their employees but are also strengthening workplace culture, improving engagement, and creating a more positive environment for everyone.
Bill 29 is a reminder that workplace safety is about more than preventing injuries. It is about creating workplaces where people feel respected, heard, and able to do their best work.
Sources:
- Manitoba Labour and Immigration. Bill 29: The Workplace Safety and Health Act Amendment – Frequently Asked Questions.
- Manitoba Legislature. Bill 29 – The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act (43rd Legislature, 2nd Session).
Brandon Career Symposium 2027 (Save the Date!)
-March 16-17, 2027
HMA Conference 2026
West-Can HR was pleased to participate in the HMA Conference 2026, an event that brought together members of the Hutterite community across Manitoba for learning, networking, and conversations focused on strengthening their organizations and communities.
Representing West-Can HR, Rob Starkell and Heavenlee attended the conference to connect with business leaders and explore the unique opportunities and challenges organizations face when it comes to people, leadership, and long-term growth.
As part of the conference, Rob presented “Building a Business Plan That Actually Works,” highlighting the importance of aligning business goals with strong people strategies. A successful business plan is not only about financial targets and operations, but also about having the right people, leadership practices, and organizational structure in place to support sustainable success.
Through his presentation, Rob shared practical approaches to creating plans that are realistic, measurable, and adaptable while emphasizing the important role that employees and workplace culture play in achieving business objectives.
The HMA Conference 2026 provided a valuable opportunity to connect with Manitoba’s Hutterite business community, share HR knowledge, and continue building relationships with organizations committed to growth and development. West-Can HR remains committed to helping employers recruit, retain, and develop their people through practical human resource solutions.
CARM 44th Annual Golf Tournament
Some of the best business conversations don’t happen in a boardroom, they happen on the golf course! The 44th Annual Construction Association of Rural Manitoba (CARM) Golf Tournament brought together professionals from across the construction industry for a day of friendly competition, networking, and relationship building. West-Can HR was excited to be part of the event and connect with so many familiar and new faces.
As HR professionals, we know that strong businesses are built on strong relationships. Events like the CARM Golf Tournament create opportunities to strengthen partnerships, and learn about the workforce challenges and successes employers are experiencing across rural Manitoba.
Every conversation helps us better understand how we can support local organizations in attracting, retaining, and developing great people.
A big thank you to the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba, along with all the players, sponsors, and volunteers who made the day such a success!
MALTI Presentation
Rob recently had the opportunity to present to participants in the MALTI program at Westman Immigrant Services, sharing practical advice to help newcomers successfully enter the Brandon job market.
The presentation focused on understanding the local hiring process, preparing strong job applications, and what employers in the Westman region look for when recruiting.
Starting a career in a new place comes with unique challenges, but understanding local workplace expectations can make the transition much smoother. By providing guidance on the recruitment process and sharing insights into the needs of local employers, the session aimed to equip newcomers with the knowledge and confidence to pursue meaningful employment and build successful careers in Brandon and the surrounding communities.
West-Can HR is proud to support Westman Immigrant Services and its commitment to helping newcomers integrate into the workforce. We believe that connecting talented individuals with local employers strengthens our businesses, our communities, and the region as a whole.
WestBran Training Center: Employment Preparation Presentation
This Employment Preparation session at WestBran Training Centre welcomed a smaller group than earlier this year, but for a positive reason. Many of the trainees who previously attended are now working summer jobs, highlighting the success of employment programs in helping individuals transition into the workforce.
During the presentation, Regina shared practical tips to help participants navigate today’s job market with greater confidence. The session focused on where to find local job opportunities in the Westman region, including online employment platforms and community resources, as well as interview preparation strategies to help candidates make a strong first impression. Participants also learned what employers are looking for during interviews and how to confidently showcase their skills and experience.
The session provided participants with practical job search strategies and interview preparation tips that they can use as they continue exploring employment opportunities. Supporting both job seekers and employers through workforce development remains an important part of the work West-Can HR does in the community.
Career Connections: Employment Preparation Workshop
Following the employment preparation sessions earlier this year, Katrina and Heavenlee from West-Can HR returned to Career Connections to help participants further develop their interview skills through a hands-on practice workshop.
The session focused on giving job seekers the opportunity to apply what they have learned by practicing interview techniques, answering common interview questions, and receiving feedback to help improve their confidence and communication. Through realistic interview scenarios, participants were able to identify their strengths and better understand how to present their skills and experiences to potential employers.
Building interview confidence is an important step in the job search process. West-Can HR was pleased to support Career Connections participants by providing practical guidance and tools to help them feel more prepared for future employment opportunities.
