Glen Abernethy

I don’t believe that it’s confidential. I believe it’s our insurance policy. I think anybody can look at the policy that Sun Life has with us and that we pay for. If the Member is interested in looking at our insurance policy, I see no reason why we couldn’t share it with him and committee if they’re interested.

Madam Chair, we do do it. We provide that information on a regular basis to the departments so they can make informed decisions and apply the policies that they are responsible for applying on a regular basis. With respect to incident reporting, the GNWT has an incident reporting procedure that is used by all departments, boards and agencies. We are making sure that they are educated and informed so that they can utilize it appropriately. We provide advice and guidance, and we will continue to provide advice and guidance. The departments are responsible for the application of those policies...

Thank you, Madam Chair. With me today on my right is Sheila Bassi-Kellett, deputy minister of the Department of Human Resources; on my left is Michelle Beard, director of policy. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Honestly, Madam Chair, the Member is asking the wrong Minister. The Member should be asking the Minister responsible for the WSCC. We, as an employer, share the same concerns. Last year our rate was, I think, 67 cents or something like that. This year we’ve had a significant increase in the rate as all employers have. Last year, as an example, we paid $2.3 million in premiums is really what they are. They are really like an insurance premium. We paid $2.3 million in insurance premium. The WSCC paid out $1.1 million in claims and on top of that we paid just over $600,000 in penalties. So in...

For a specific definition I will go to the deputy.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I’ve done that already twice today, but I’d be happy to do it again. Do you want me to read it again, Madam Chair?

They are a requirement. Not every worksite has one yet or department has them yet, but they are required to have them and they are getting established.

There’s some overlap. We’ve got a department requirement but we’ve also got a worksite requirement. So there is some overlap with some of those committees. It gets a little complicated at times. But like I said, we’ve got the terms of reference that the individual committees can use to help develop their own and expedite that process. So we continue to work at the deputy head level with the departments, encouraging them to get this done, and at...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am pleased to present the Department of Human Resources’ main estimates for the fiscal year 2013-14.

The department is proposing an operations expenditures budget of $42.1 million. This reflects a decrease of $697,000 from last year’s main estimates, or a 2 percent reduction. The reduction is largely attributed to the transfer of specialized human resources programs, positions and associated funding aimed at health and social services professionals to the Department of Health and Social Services.

The department’s budget is proposing funding in 2013-14 for three new...

…(inaudible)…with strategy, it will include all the health authorities and the education authorities. I hear the Member’s comment that we don’t want to just target people for some entry-level jobs, but I don’t think we should forget those jobs as well. Some individuals can get into some of these entry-level jobs, and through hard work, perseverance and taking opportunities as they come, they can advance up through an organization to fairly high levels. Succession planning is important, and sometimes starting at an entry level and working your way up is reality, but we do have to recognize that...

I have no idea what the Member is saying. Could you maybe rephrase it for me?