Debates of August 20, 2007 (day 13)

Mr. Speaker, thank you. My questions this afternoon are for the Minister responsible for the Workers’ Compensation Board, Mr. Krutko. It regards the plight of longstanding unresolved cases of injured workers and specifically the widely publicized case of Mr. Ivan Valic, a worker who was injured while he was helping to build the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool here in Yellowknife some 19 years ago now.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Valic’s case was a subject of a Supreme Court ruling that found the WCB’s policies and procedures wanting and an instruction developed to make sure that his case was reheard at appeal. But my understanding is that even 18 months after that court ruling, Mr. Valic’s case still remains unresolved. I would like the Minister to advise the Assembly what is the status of Mr. Valic’s longstanding case with the WCB?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for the Workers’ Compensation Board, Mr. Krutko.

Return To Question 152-15(6): Longstanding Workers’ Compensation Claims

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 regards to his medical receipts and those have been forwarded to independent arbitration. Again, because it is before arbitration, I will not be answering any more questions on this matter. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 152-15(6): Longstanding Workers’ Compensation Claims

Mr. Speaker, what steps will the WCB be taking to address the relatively large caseload of longstanding chronically unresolved issues for injured workers? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 152-15(6): Longstanding Workers’ Compensation Claims

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 made myself in this House to get information back to the House in regards to the number of outstanding cases and cases that have been resolved to date. Thank you.