David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that Bill 6, Workers’ Compensation Act, be read for the third time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regards to the comment the Member made regarding the PUB saying we are not interested in one rate, I don’t think that is the case. The PUB has made it clear that it has to be a policy decision by this Legislature and the government of this Legislature to establish that policy is clear and concise on exactly what we want to subsidize and what we don’t want to subsidize. Again, it is a policy decision that has to be made by this Legislature to look at the rate systems that we have and direct the PUB to consider that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at the end of the day, the perfect solution will be to have hydro power in all of our communities. We all have similar rates and everybody pays the same price. Because of the system we have today, we have three different rate systems. We go through a PUB process. I think the system itself has to be looked at. Again, that is something that we are hoping to bring forward to the incoming government, 16th Assembly, so they can have a debate and also come forward through the strategy, through the homes that we are working on, further transitional document...

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Well, I can do that but they’ve probably already done it. So I think unless we have the legislation…(inaudible)…once the legislation is there, they’ll have to enforce it.

Yes, Mr. Chairman. I will commit to that.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, with regard to improving the wording in legislation and making it easier to understand, I think that this clause in there definitely states that in regards to reviewing an individual’s case, you should consider looking at it in light of the hearing from the client but, more importantly, prescribing to be in favour of the client ensuring that when reviewing those cases you are, hopefully, improving this legislation and the wording. The wording that was there previously was somewhat similar but this goes just a little further, so it is an improvement for...

Thank you. Mr. Chair, I’ll have Mr. Doyle answer the question.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I would like to thank the Members for their comments. I think it is important that we did build that working relationship. I think there have been several steps to this process. As we know, this process has been going on for some time in regards to the act. Now, the committee hearings that took place back during the 12th Assembly coming forward. Also, I would like to commend the Auditor General in regards to her staff and the work they did in regards to reviewing and assessing the workings of the Workers’ Compensation Board, but also in regards to the...

Yes, Mr. Chair.