Debates of October 21, 2005 (day 15)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. Mr. Speaker, a few days ago, the Premier stood up here in the House and listed up a bunch of folks that the Workers' Compensation Board had consulted with, prior to building a new building. I was surprised to hear that Regular Members of this House were not a part of that list, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board why there was no notice given to Regular Members that the WCB was proceeding with this new initiative. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 213-15(4): Consultation On Proposed WCB Office Complex

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can only assume that the reason for that would be that the Worker's Compensation Governance Council sees the stakeholders in that operation as labour and employers, and those are the groups that have been consulted. I know that I have talked to the chair, and have invited him to make a presentation to the standing committee here, so they can discuss the issue of the construction of a new facility. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 213-15(4): Consultation On Proposed WCB Office Complex

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the meeting scheduled for next Wednesday, a briefing between the WCB, the Minister responsible for the WCB, and the Regular Members of this House, only took place after enquiries were made to the Minister's office to make that happen. I would like to mention to the Minister that assessment rates and monies that are paid to the WCB come out of the pockets of employers here in the Northwest Territories, our constituents, who have every right to come and visit their MLA, when they see assessment rates for next year going up. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the WCB if his intention was to share these new assessment rates, that are proposed for 2006, with the Regular Members of this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 213-15(4): Consultation On Proposed WCB Office Complex

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had, in fact, planned to do a Minister's statement on those rates, at one time in the House, but the WCB released the information publicly through a press release, so I didn't feel it would be appropriate any longer because the information was already out there. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 213-15(4): Consultation On Proposed WCB Office Complex

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does it concern the Minister, at all, that in the proposed 2006 assessments that the WCB is proposing, that mining operations will decrease by 20 percent, and virtually every other sector of the economy will see an increase to their 2006 assessment rates? Does the Minister have any issue with that? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 213-15(4): Consultation On Proposed WCB Office Complex

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The rates that are established by the WCB are entirely based on actuarial studies of the numbers of accidents, and the cost of those accidents, to each of the rate categories. So if those are the being established, it's to ensure that there is no cross-subsidization between one sector and another in the business. I know that the WCB has been quite vigilant at making sure that their accident fund is fully funded, so that there won't be any surprises for employers. I think that they are looking at ways that they can ensure the stability of the funding. But changes will always happen, depending on accidents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Your final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 213-15(4): Consultation On Proposed WCB Office Complex

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to also ask the Minister, I know the proposed new building is going to be built or located in the Frame Lake South area in Yellowknife, an area that's already plagued with traffic congestion, and, obviously, has a nice waterfront view. I'm wondering, is it better that the WCB be located in this area of the city, or downtown where it's currently located? What options were pursued to have that building located in the downtown core of Yellowknife? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 213-15(4): Consultation On Proposed WCB Office Complex

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member has asked for my opinion as to where the building should be, and it's not really mine to give an opinion on that. I can say, though, in response to one of his questions, there were a number of different alternatives considered. One was the space right beside City Hall. Members will be aware that the city council rejected the old Gerry Murphy site, or a site near the old Gerry Murphy Arena, as a possible location. The WCB looked at assembling land in the downtown core, and they had some discussion about space off of School Draw. So there were a number of different spaces that were looked at. It was quite a public process, when they did start looking at finding land to assemble. They sought RFPs, and where they sought by RFP, submissions for space. As I understand it, it's entirely a business decision based on cost, and ensuring that it makes economic sense for the WCB to build a building.