New leadership at AgSafe BC

Cameron Stockdale is the new executive director of provincial farm safety organization AgSafeBC, succeeding Wendy Bennett.

Bennett left AgSafeBC in September 2025, following 12 years with the association, most recently as executive director. AgSafe posted an ad for a general manager in December, with applications due by January 16.

Stockdale took the helm of the organization this month, just in time for Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, March 15-21.

Stockdale has 25 years of hands-on experience in emergency services, including senior operational leadership within BC’s ambulance system, which helps him to guide positive change within organizations.

He previously served as president and CEO of the Vancouver-based Work Wellness Institute. He brings a strong belief to AgSafeBC that safety, wellness, and organizational effectiveness are fundamentally interconnected.

Westwold beef producer Andrea van Iterson was also recently elected chair of AgSafeBC, succeeding Hugo Velázquez Vázquez.

The leadership changes come as newly unionized AgSafeBC staff embark on collective bargaining with the association. The BC Labour Relations Board approved a certification bid on February 11 that will see staff represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 403.

According to its website, AgSafe employs six office staff as well as a team of 19 safety consultants and advisors located across the province.

The union declined comment on the impetus for certification.

“CUPE and the local will not be commenting further until the unit reaches a first collective agreement,” says CUPE spokesperson Greg Taylor.