David Krutko

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. Chair. Mr. Chair, I think it’s crucially important that we do develop legislation that’s not only there to enforce the law but, more importantly, it’s got to be workable. I think by the comments of the Members, that also we have to put a human face on the legislation and make sure it does serve the people it’s supposed to serve. Again, more importantly, to assess versus the people that are implementing this legislation and working along with the workers and the employers to improve a system that has been some time in coming, but again, I think we’re there. So with that, I do...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, to my right is John Doyle, the director of corporate services of the Workers’ Compensation Board. To my left is Mark Aitken, director of legal services, Department of Justice, and to my far left is Adrian Wright, WCB legal counsel.

Mr. Chair, I am pleased to speak to Bill 6, Workers’ Compensation Act, which gives the Northwest Territories progressive workers' compensation legislation and replaces the existing Workers' Compensation Act.

Act Now, a report generated by the Legislative Review Panel, made recommendations to amend outdated provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act. In 2004, the Workers' Compensation Act was amended to address more than 70 percent of the recommendations. The second phase would address those remaining recommendations.

Following the implementation of the phase I amendments, the Workers'...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Workers’ Compensation Board recently redefined its mission to reflect not only its duty to care for injured workers, but also its commitment to the promotion of workplace safety. We need not only simply care for workers once they have been injured; it is equally important to help northern workers prevent those injuries from happening in the first place. The WCB will continue to stress the importance of prevention as part of workplace safety, striving to reduce injuries and suffering as a result of workplace incidents.

To further show its commitment to...

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...