David Krutko

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.

Yes I do.

Thank you. I’ll refer the question to Mr. Wright.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In regards to the preamble and the intent of the legislation, I think the Member is correct. I mean when we have the insurance system that we do have and basically it is a no-fault insurance and you try to err on the caution by way of trying to assist workers so we don’t find ourselves in the predicament of having to go to court every time we want to settle a case. I think in regards to the preamble, it has been implemented and the change in regards to the statement is, hopefully, going to be consistent all the way through. I think with the changes that we are...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The present practice of the board with regard to any revised policy or introducing the new policy, they do err on the side of the workers and other partners in this where they do run it by them before they make a final draft. So they do run it through the different organizations, the workers, employers and vice versa. I think it’s important that we stress that we put on consultation and ensure that we are transparent. That aspect with regard to establishing that policy will be done through that process which is being used today. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regards to this case, the individual was compensated for the outstanding case, but also at this time there is presently a dispute in regards to some outstanding receipts that the member has had. The Workers’ Compensation Board has, along with the client, taken that case to arbitration. It is before arbitration right now and being heard in regards to the outstanding receipts that are being disputed. The individual was compensated and settled. We thought that was taken care of. But he, at this present time, is disputing some outstanding receipts in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we all know, we have revised the payment policy that we have in place in regards to chronic pain which is now part and parcel of that policy. That will hopefully improve and clarify exactly the situation around chronic pain. Again, we are coming forward with legislation to this House which will improve the system that we presently have, which again is an improvement of what we already have. Again, Mr. Speaker, those are some of the efforts that we are working at. Again, we are doing our best to satisfy workers. Again, there have been commitments I...