The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Act, has had second reading and accordingly the bill stands referred to a committee.

Item 18, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 2-12(3), The Justice House - Report of the Special Advisor on General Equality; Tabled Document 3-12(3), Report of the Commission for Constitutional Development; Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act; Bill 17, Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1993-94; Committee Report 10-12(3), Report on Tabled Document 21-12(3): Payroll Tax Act; Committee Report 11-12(3), Report on the Review of the 1993-94 Main Estimates; Committee Report 12-12(3), Report No. 4, Talking and Working Together; and, appearance by members of Commission for Constitutional Development, with Mr. Whitford in the chair.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to present to the Assembly the Workers' Compensation Board's budget for 1993.

Numerous concerns were raised by Members of the Assembly during the last session, as well as by the Standing Committee on Agencies, Boards and Commissions when it reported in June, 1992.

I have taken steps to address the majority of these concerns, and I would like to outline them for you.

-A legislative review has been completed and tabled with this Assembly. The chief commissioner, Garnet Garven, reported to me on February 15 after meeting with representatives of workers, employers and others interested in improving and updating the Workers' Compensation Act. I have also undertaken to present this Assembly with a legislative action paper during this sitting.

-I have appointed a chairman and three directors. These appointments reflect my view that the board must be sensitive and open to the needs of all its clients.

-A new general manager was appointed on December 29, 1992. His mandate is to work with the board of directors to make the Workers' Compensation Board more efficient and accessible. Performance and service standards will be established for all divisions, and priority will be given to achieving optimum client service levels. Great emphasis is being put on affirmative action, and a comprehensive plan will be in place by year end.

-The groundwork has been laid for a memorandum of understanding between the Department of Renewable Resources and the board to provide workers' compensation coverage for hunters, trappers and fishermen.

-Given the concern about the increased assessment rates for 1993, the board recently announced significant improvements to its instalment payment policy. Employers can now pay four equal instalments over the course of a year.

-Finally, Mr. Chairman, the board is considering the introduction of a merit surcharge program. If such a program is introduced, employers with a superior accident record would receive a rebate on their assessment. Conversely, employers with poor accident records would be forced to pay a premium assessment.

The board's operating and maintenance budget for 1993-94 reflects zero growth. Expenditures for compensation, medical aid, pensions and rehabilitation are dictated by policy and legislation; therefore, a growth of 3.9 per cent is projected.

Mr. Chairman, I am anxious to work with this Assembly to introduce the changes in legislation and policy that will restore our Workers' Compensation Board to a leadership position. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have our report of the Standing Committee on Finance on the Workers' Compensation Board.

The committee recognizes that the Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) must fairly compensate injured workers. However, we must recognize that with higher rates, for example, construction and mining, companies may experience great difficulty in paying these amounts.

The committee is also concerned about the board's office accommodations which appear excessive, as do the payments to board members. We remind the Minister that the WCB is paying a significant premium of over $1 million for the privilege and right to buy the office property which it currently occupies. The committee urges the WCB to review all areas and recognize that there is not a bottomless well of money out there.

It is time for the WCB to come down to earth and face current realities.

Mr. Chairman, there are a number of motions which I have here. I will begin with the first motion.

I move, the committee recommends that the Workers' Compensation Board review the financial implications and necessity of using the American Medical Association's guidelines and report to the Assembly accordingly. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Question.

Mr. Chairman, I move that the committee recommends that the Workers' Compensation Board take steps to reduce the cost of board operations.

Question.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the committee recommends that the Workers' Compensation Board work closely with the Department of Health to review the costs, benefits and feasibility of repatriating the rehabilitation program to the Northwest Territories.

Question.