Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If adopted, this revised structure would result in a nine-member board. It would also provide a statutory requirement that the Minister
responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board should make appointments which represented the interests of organized labour and industry associations. At the same time, it would provide for a chairperson independent of those interests, and that ample opportunity for the appointment of individuals capable of representing a variety of northern perspectives. It would also allow the Minister to appoint individuals who could offer certain specific skills or background knowledge required by the board for efficient operation at that point in time.
I come to the second recommendation, Mr. Chairman. To clarify the intent of the expanded membership and as guidance for decisions surrounding board appointments, I move the following motion:
Motion To Accept Recommendation 2, Carried
I move that the Minister appoint four of the additional directors of the board according to criteria that will establish a full cross-section of background and opinion on the board, including but not limited to, regional representation, representation of both genders and representation of aboriginal perspectives.