There is just one other point that I would like to make, Mr. Chairman. I understand, from talking to the chairperson of the agencies, boards and commissions committee, that they are anxious to review the operations of the Worker's Compensation Board. I want to make it clear, and I have written to the chairman stating this, that I welcome the ABC committee's interest in this board, for which I am responsible to report to the House. Furthermore, I will be pleased to co-operate fully with the committee in its work in reviewing the board and providing what ever information the committee might need to do its job.
I would like to just offer one other reason why I felt it was important to recommend to cabinet that some appointments be made now rather than later, Mr. Chairman, and that is for the reason of continuity. Mr. Chairman, the board appointments are now set to expire in June and July, within a very short space of time. My concern, Mr. Chairman, was that if it should be decided that there be replacements of the present members of the Workers' Compensation Board, you could have a situation, without appointments being made a few months earlier as these two have been made -- you could have a situation where you could have a completely new board in place in June or July, and possibly a new chairman as well. This lack of continuity is something that I am sure all Members would agree is generally not desirable with important boards with important responsibilities.
It is desirable, I believe, to stagger the terms where ever possible so that if board members are replaced there will not be a wholesale turnover of the board resulting in all new inexperienced members sitting on the board. It was with that factor of a cushion for turnover that I also recommended to cabinet that these two vacancies be filled sooner, rather than later, because I felt that if we waited until June or July and it was decided to reappoint most existing or all existing members to the board, then you would have a whole new board coming in all at once with no background or experience.
Those were some of the factors in mind, Mr. Chairman, and I do want to say that I do appreciate some Members' comments the other day in speaking to this, that we are not talking about the individuals appointed, that it is the process of appointment that is of concern. I take it to mean that Members of the Assembly generally feel that while we may have found capable people to sit on the board, the process that was followed was objectionable, or outrageous, I guess, is the term I should use.
Mr. Chairman, I hope these comments are of some assistance to Members in considering this motion. I just want to say, inclosing, that we did have a chance to discuss this matter fully in caucus earlier this week. I did appreciate the offer of Members of caucus to have input on appointments to this very important board. I have invited their input, and I welcome their suggestions about who could go on this board from hereon in. With the ABC committee's interest in reviewing the operations of the WCB, I hope we can work together from here on in, in a co-operative fashion to look at this board, to consider their recommendations for change, and to have those recommendations dealt with before any further appointments need to be dealt with in June or July.
I hear what the chairman is saying. I do accept the advice, and I think, at least from here on in, that we can consider the advice of that committee before any further appointments are made. Qujannamiik.