Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to comment today on workplace safety, education and enforcement.
While I realize that the Workers' Compensation Board portfolio is now vacant, it is my view that there are too many outstanding issues to allow the matter of the Workers' Compensation Board in the Northwest Territories to await the appointment of a permanent Minister. During this interim period, I would expect that the Government Leader, who is now the acting Minister, will also be an active Minister.
The honourable Members will recall the former Minister's acknowledgement that the W.C.B. is developing a scheme for sending employers money on more PYs and the bigger administration budget to carry out the workplace safety education and awareness. Mr. Speaker, I do not agree with the way the Workers' Compensation Board is trying to become the sole delivery agent for workplace safety programming. I believe that this will create a costly duplication of services and an unclear mandate.
The establishment of policies for the Department of Safety and Public Services states that the Minister and the department have the mandate for the administration of public safety in the Northwest Territories, including promoting and enforcing public and workers' safety. Further, the government's own programs and service manual clearly state that one of the purposes of the safety division is to provide safety education programs, to create a positive safety attitude and lower accident rates.
The department already has this mandate, Mr. Speaker. Why has the Workers' Compensation Board moved into this area by creating its own self-serving safety department? A regional presence will be required to carry out safety awareness and education programs in all communities in the Northwest Territories. The Department of Safety and Public Services already had that regional presence. Inspectors with the Department of Safety and Public Services already perform a safety education and awareness function during work site visits.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.