Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. I have been absolutely dismayed by the announcement that the W.C.B. employer's assessment will be increased by an average of 12 per cent, effective January 1. The board has stated publicly, and I quote the full page advertisement that appears in the November 4 edition of the Yellowknifer, "the major reason for this increase is the higher cost of accidents and subsequent treatment costs."
Mr. Speaker, that may be part of the reason, but I think it is also necessary to look within the administrative framework of the board itself to understand the full basis of the rate hike. For instance, can the Minister advise the House whether the board has carried out the potential impact of fraudulent claims on the overall financial status of the Workers' Compensation Board?