Workplace Safety Education And Awareness

In the Legislative Assembly on December 2nd, 1992. See this topic in context.

Workplace Safety Education And Awareness
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 236

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

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.

Workplace Safety Education And Awareness
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 236

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Ms. Mike.

Workplace Safety Education And Awareness
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 236

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and colleagues. If the Workers' Compensation Board really wants to have an impact on workplace safety, it will consider making agreements with the G.N.W.T. to fund effective cross training, using existing human resources and operations.

Honestly, Mr. Speaker, this government is going to have to start clearing up the confusion and doing a better job in this area. That will not be accomplished by handling responsibilities for safety programs through the Workers' Compensation Board, which is Yellowknife based, and which sees itself accountable only to organized labour, large industrial associations and has a recent record of questionable financial responsibilities. It will be accomplished by holding the Minister of Safety and Public Services accountable for the mandate which already applies to his department and by providing him with the appropriate financial support through a memorandum of understanding with the W.C.B. and the cost effective use of existing resources. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Workplace Safety Education And Awareness
Item 3: Members' Statements

December 1st, 1992

Page 236

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 3, Members' Statements. Mr. Antoine.