Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a report on the legislative action paper on the Workers' Compensation Act from the Standing Committee on Legislation. Mr. Speaker, when the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions completed its interim report on its review of the Workers' Compensation Board in June 1992, it recommended that the Minister responsible for the Workers'
Compensation Board prepare a legislative action paper to provide a comprehensive description of all the areas of the Workers' Compensation Act that should be amended. The final report of the standing committee, tabled June 26, 1992, made additional specific recommendations for amendments to the act.
On February 25, 1993, the Minister tabled the Review of the Workers' Compensation in the Northwest Territories, Final Report of the Chief Commissioner. The commissioner had been requested to conduct an expert and independent review of workers' compensation. He reviewed the final report of the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions, as well as three previous workers' compensation studies conducted since 1986. The commissioner made recommendations for reform and identified some areas that may require further development.
The Standing Committee on Legislation held public hearings in Yellowknife from Wednesday, September 29, 1993 to Friday, October 1, 1993 to review the Legislative Action Paper on Workers' Compensation Act. The standing committee extends its appreciation to the individuals and organizations who made oral presentations or submitted written briefs to the committee. The comments and suggestions were thought provoking and the committee studied them carefully during our deliberations.
Introduction
The Standing Committee on Legislation, under the authority given it by this House, has completed a review of Tabled Document 145-12(3), entitled Legislative Action Paper on the Workers' Compensation Act.
The legislative action paper focuses on eight areas of the Workers' Compensation Act that may require amendments. These areas were recommended for amendment by the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions in their recent review of the Workers' Compensation Board. The eight areas are: regular or periodic review of the Workers' Compensation Board; ministerially appointed review committee; full funding; merit rebate and super-assessments; traditional harvesters; aboriginal artists and carvers; third part liability; and commutations and lump sum payments.
The Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions made an additional seven recommendations toward legislative amendments that were not discussed in the action paper. The legislative action paper does not identify any potential areas for legislative reform in addition to the recommendations of the standing committee. The Minister indicated in his introductory statement on the legislative action paper that other areas where the act needs revision may be identified in the presentations received by this committee during the public review.
Mr. Speaker, this concludes the report of the Standing Committee on Legislation on Tabled Document 145-12(3): Legislative Action Paper on the Workers' Compensation Act.
Motion To Receive Committee Report 5-12(4) And Move To Committee Of The Whole, Carried
I therefore move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that the report of the Standing Committee on Legislation be received and moved into committee of the whole for consideration. Thank you.