Information on bills is based on automated text-analysis, if you notice any issues please let us know!
Historical Information The Information below relates to a previous session of the Legislative Assembly.

Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act

Government Bill

14th Assembly, 6th Session

Introduced on March 12, 2003

Bill Sponsor

Events

Timeline of key legislative events

  • First Reading
    Completed March 12, 2003 (Debate)
  • Second Reading
    Completed March 13, 2003 (Debate)
  • Third Reading
    Completed June 10, 2003 (Debate)
  • Commissioner's Assent
    Completed June 13, 2003 (Debate)

    • Status

    Bill Text



    Discussion & Mentions

    Bill 16: Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act, 2003
    Item 21: Third Reading Of Bills

    June 12th, 2003

    Page 1076


    See context

    Commissioner Hansen

    Mr. Speaker, Premier and Members of the Legislative Assembly.

    I would like to commend you for your time, commitment and the amount of work you have been able to complete in this short session. Your legislative schedule has been intense. I'm sure each of you is looking forward to an opportunity to return to your constituencies across the Northwest Territories.

    As you do, I wish you Godspeed and safe travels. I hope that a good part of your summer will be spent in the surroundings of your families, friends, homes and communities.

    I urge you to take the time to stop and appreciate the beauty, the warmth, the uniqueness and the potential of this territory you collectively represent.

    At this time of year, many of our territory's young people are celebrating their graduation from high school - a sure sign of spring. Congratulations to all graduates.

    It was my pleasure to travel recently with the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew up to Paulatuk to attend graduation ceremonies for three ladies: Mary Green, Irene Ruben, Molly Ruben -- all of whom graduated from the early childhood education program at Aurora College in Inuvik.

    For them, and for all graduates, the ceremony represents the realization of a dream, a time of transition, a time of change and a time to move forward. It was a big day.

    This month also marks the beginning of our summer assembly season. I hope that these occasions will be an opportunity for us to come together as people of the Northwest Territories and be a source of renewal and inspiration.

    On June 21st we will celebrate, with all Canadians, National Aboriginal Day. It is both fitting and a source of personal pride that in the Northwest Territories, we choose to acknowledge this day with a statutory holiday.

    The June 21st celebrations will provide a special opportunity for families to celebrate the values, traditions, languages and cultures of the Inuvialuit, Dene, Metis, and people who help define us as a territory.

    The NWT is a place that values healthy people and communities, a place where the system of governance reflects the rightful role of aboriginal governments, and a place where economic partnerships are flourishing among southern, northern and especially aboriginal companies.

    I encourage you all to join in the many cultural events and celebrations that are scheduled to take place across the NWT.

    As Commissioner I look forward to traveling this weekend to Inuvik to join in the celebrations for opening the new Inuvik Regional Hospital. Next week in Yellowknife, I am looking forward to attending the gala ball and musical ride celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the Northwest Territories.

    I trust and hope that I will encounter many of you during these and my other travels.

    And now, as Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following Bills: Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act; Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act; Bill 12, Nursing Profession Act; Bill 13, Deh Cho Bridge Act; Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act; Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act; Bill 16, Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act, 2003; Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act; and, Bill 18, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2003-2004. Thank you.

    Bill 15: An Act To Amend The Workers' Compensation Act
    Item 21: Third Reading Of Bills

    June 10th, 2003

    Page 927


    See context
    Joe Handley

    Joe Handley Weledeh

    Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act, be read for the third time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

    Bill 15: An Act To Amend The Workers' Compensation Act
    Item 18: Second Reading Of Bills

    March 12th, 2003

    Page 764


    See context
    Joe Handley

    Joe Handley Weledeh

    Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act, be read for the second time. Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Workers' Compensation Act in response to the reports and recommendations of various review panels and standing committees of the Legislative Assembly and in recognition of the need to amend outdated provisions of the act.

    Some of the key provisions of this bill are concerned with:

    - establishing the board as a corporation that is distinct from the persons who management it;

    - establishing a governance council of directors of the board;

    - establishing the office of president of the board;

    - clarifying the application of the act, in part by clarifying the definitions "employer" and "worker";

    - providing for the appointment of a workers' advisor and deputy workers' advisor;

    - providing that the appeals tribunal may hire staff and contract with advisors;

    - setting out the matters that the board shall consider in making decisions respecting claims and providing that review committees shall consider those matters in determining reviews of board decisions respecting claims and assessments;

    - clarifying the provisions related to giving a notice of an accident and injury and providing that receipt of a notice of an accident and injury by the board constitutes a claim;

    - standardizing time limits for filing claims;

    - providing for a co-operative approach to the treatment of an injured worker;

    - providing for a process to address conflicts in the opinions of the board's medical advisor and a workers' health care providers;

    - increasing from 16 to 19 the age at which a child of a worker is still considered to be a dependant;

    - repealing the provisions relating to silicosis, leaving the general provisions relating to industrial diseases to govern;

    - clarifying the provisions respecting disclosure of information obtained by persons under the act;

    - providing that certain amounts and other items, including the amount of the year's maximum insurable remuneration, will be set out in regulations;

    - providing for the appointment of a review panel to conduct a review of the act;

    - increasing the penalties for contravention of the act and the regulations and providing that an officer, director or agent of a corporation who directs, authorizes, assents to, acquiesces in or participates in an offence committed by the corporation is guilty of the offence.

    The bill also makes certain amendments to remedy administrative and enforcement difficulties that have arisen under the Workers' Compensation Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

    Bill 15: An Act To Amend The Workers' Compensation Act, Carried
    Item 17: First Reading Of Bills

    March 11th, 2003

    Page 716


    See context
    Joe Handley

    Joe Handley Weledeh

    Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes that Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Workers Compensation Act be read for the first time. Thank you.