There are four recommendations in this section, so we may not have a quorum when we get to the motions. In keeping with the mandate given to it by the Legislative Assembly, the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions reviewed implications arising from the organization of the Workers' Compensation Board and considered options through which the board structure could be enhanced. As a general observation, the standing committee was concerned that the sphere of influence that has surrounded the board's operational decision-making and strategic planning has become narrowed and not reflective of the entire Northwest Territories.
There is a sense in some quarters that the board should be responsive to, and representative of, only certain employers' associations and organized labour who see themselves as the exclusive stakeholders in the workers' compensation system. While these public bodies purport to represent the interests of member disciplines throughout the Northwest Territories, the standing committee was concerned that the perspectives of unorganized workers and of employers who are not closely affiliated with the larger industry associations must not be lost. Typically, the best way to broaden the frame of reference for any board is to ensure that the structure for membership composition allows for the appointment of various interests and viewpoints.
The standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions was of the opinion that the operation of the Workers' Compensation Board would be greatly facilitated by ensuring that its membership composition should reflect our diverse cultural and regional interests. Currently, this breadth is lacking. The majority of members have been resident in Yellowknife and the board has devoted little time or energy to interfacing with the people and communities of other regions,
The standing committee became aware that a body of opinion exists which suggests that there is no benefit to ensuring adequate regional, women's or aboriginal representation. During the public hearings, for instance, Members of the standing committee listened carefully to a presentation provided on behalf of a group calling itself the Northern Employers' Council on Workers' Compensation. This group took the position that: "The drive to make board appointments based on political considerations of ethnicity, regionalism or gender can result in a board lacking the skills and understanding to adequately perform its duties. We cannot support such appointments."
The standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions rejects this position completely. Such a statement conveys the thought that decisions to appoint persons who bring an alternate perspective are born from political motivations only. It devalues "skills and understanding" of persons appointed because they represent regional, aboriginal or women's perspectives. To the contrary, Members of the standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions believed that the understanding, skill and especially the creativity of the Workers' Compensation Board would be enhanced by a wider range of perspectives and backgrounds.
It is, of course, necessary to ensure that the valuable perspectives of the various industry associations and organized labour continue to be represented within the membership framework of the Board. Indeed there is much merit to amending the Workers' Compensation Act to require that a proportion of the board is recommended by industry groups and an equal proportion is recommended by organized labour. But, at the same time, some way must also be found to broaden the composition of the board to reflect the full richness of our northern society.
The standing committee on agencies, boards and commissions was concerned that there is not presently room within the five-member structure to ensure that a variety of perspectives can be represented. It was felt that, if the board was established as a nine-member body, there would be additional opportunity for successive members to make appointments reflective of a broader range of interests.
Motion To Accept Recommendation 1, Carried
I move, Mr. Chairman, that the Workers' Compensation Act be amended so that the board will be composed of: a) two directors appointed by the Minister on the recommendation of organized labour; b) two directors appointed by the Minister on the recommendation of the representatives of employers; and c) five additional directors appointed by the Minister, one of whom is to be appointed by the Minister as chairperson of the board.
That is the motion under recommendation 1, Mr. Chairman.