Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to share some positive service focused information about the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission, which I’ll now refer to as WSCC.
The WSCC Governance Council sets employer assessment rates each year to reflect industry claims experience and to ensure employer assessments are adequate to fund current costs as well as projected costs. Effective January 1 the 2009 average assessment rate will remain $1.71 per $100 of assessable payroll. The governance council continues its commitment to keep employer assessment rates stable and affordable. Our rates remain one of the lowest in Canada.
On September 24, 2008, the governance council held its annual public meeting. At this meeting, open to stakeholders, the WSCC’s current strategic priorities and goals, as well as accomplishments and progress to date, were highlighted. The governance council requested input on the WSCC’s priorities and goals to ensure future planning meets the needs of stakeholders.
Following the public meeting the WSCC held an open house. Recently completed renovations fulfill the Auditor General and standing committee recommendations to be a more welcoming, service focused organization for stakeholders. Tours of the new open reception area and safety classrooms were well attended.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, the WSCC won first place in the audiovisual productions category at the 2008 American Association of State Compensation Insurance Funds communications awards. AASCIF is an association of workers’ compensation insurance companies, and its membership includes agencies in 27 states as well as ten Canadian workers’ compensation boards. Presented annually, the AASCIF communications awards recognize the most creative and effective communications programs created by workers’ compensation agencies across the two countries. The WSCC placed ahead of California and Ontario to take top honours for its video safety game Go Safe — The Safety Game.
We should be very proud of this prestigious award and congratulate the WSCC on its accomplishment. Go Safe — The Safety Game is being widely distributed across the Northwest Territories to schools and industries. I encourage my fellow Members to contact the WSCC for a copy of the award winning game.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Lafferty.
