Mr. Speaker, I am well aware of the hardship on certain classes of employers in the Northwest Territories economy. I can tell the honourable Member that I have written the Chairman of the Workers' Compensation Board recommending, and I think this was a recommendation of the A.B.C. committee review, if I recall correctly, that the definition of employer sub-classes be reviewed with a view to ensuring that there was as much equity as possible in place in defining employer sub-classes. I have also written to the board and suggested that a penalty assessment and a merit rebate process should be implemented to reward work places where there have been safe practices and a reduced accident record, and penalize those who have caused problems. Mr. Speaker, since I was apprised of the rate increases, and on the advice of the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions I have seen to it that the Workers' Compensation Board undertake a second opinion from another independent actuary to determine whether the rate setting process and the resultant rates are necessary for the coming year. I expect the results of that review by the end of the month. I would like to assure the honourable Member, Mr. Speaker, that I too share his great concern about the impact on northern businesses. I fully understand that this additional blow will be something which will make the line for survival even more difficult in these times. I suppose in hindsight now it might have been wiser in previous years not to have capped rate increases because rate increases were capped in the last couple of years and the consequences are now being visited on us when the recession is even deeper. Mr. Speaker, those are some measures which I have asked the board to undertake and we will soon have the benefit of a second actuarial opinion as to whether those rates were calculated in the most effective way possible with a view to the employers' interests. Thank you.
Dennis Patterson on Question 51-12(3): Minister's Role In W.C.B. Rate Increases
In the Legislative Assembly on November 23rd, 1992. See this statement in context.
Further Return To Question 51-12(3): Minister's Role In W.c.b. Rate Increases
Question 51-12(3): Minister's Role In W.C.B. Rate Increases
Revert Back To Item 5: Oral Questions
November 22nd, 1992
Page 63
Dennis Patterson Iqaluit
See context to find out what was said next.