This is page numbers 773 - 824 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 6th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was development.

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Supplementary To Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 781

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 781

John Todd Keewatin Central

The change from AMA guidelines to NWT guidelines was done primarily to ensure that compensation more clearly reflected the needs of northern workers.

Further Return To Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 781

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 781

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. To the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, labour groups in the north have accused the board of making its dramatic turnaround from a deficit to a surplus on the backs of injured workers. These statements appear to reflect a concern that the change in the rating schedules resulted in lower payments to workers. Can the Minister provide this House, at some time, with an analysis of how payments to workers have changed since the introduction of the new rating schedule?

Supplementary To Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 781

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 781

John Todd Keewatin Central

I would be only too happy to, Madam Speaker.

Further Return To Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 781

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Supplementary, Mr. Whitford.

Supplementary To Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 781

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister when.

Supplementary To Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 781

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Todd.

Further Return To Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 781

John Todd Keewatin Central

Soon.

---Laughter

Further Return To Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Question 357-12(6): Rationale For Change Of Impairment Rating Schedules
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 781

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Item 6, oral questions. The honourable

Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Question 358-12(6): Definition Of "prior Years' Claims"
Item 6: Oral Questions

November 6th, 1994

Page 781

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. Madam Speaker, according to the WCB's 1993 annual report, prior years' claims were down from $15.7 million in 1992 to $7.2 million in 1993. This is a decrease of over 54 per cent. I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board whether it is correct to assume that prior years' claims means claims paid in 1993 to those who were injured before 1993?

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 358-12(6): Definition Of "prior Years' Claims"
Question 358-12(6): Definition Of "prior Years' Claims"
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 781

John Todd Keewatin Central

I will check with the chairman on that, Madam Speaker, and report back to the honourable Member.

Return To Question 358-12(6): Definition Of "prior Years' Claims"
Question 358-12(6): Definition Of "prior Years' Claims"
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 781

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 358-12(6): Definition Of "prior Years' Claims"
Question 358-12(6): Definition Of "prior Years' Claims"
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 781

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Since the Minister didn't take that question as notice, I would like to follow up with some more information on that issue. Madam Speaker, I would imagine that most of those injured before 1993 -- still receiving claims payments in 1993 -- were probably those who were permanently injured. Therefore, I would like to ask the Minister whether this decrease would be attributable to the change and rating schedules for permanent impairment.

Return To Question 358-12(6): Definition Of "prior Years' Claims"
Question 358-12(6): Definition Of "prior Years' Claims"
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 781

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Mr. Dent, I was hesitant to pass on your first question to the Minister of WCB, mainly because questions posed by Members should be within the direct knowledge of the Minister, whether it is policy or responsibility. It appears that your supplementary question is of a technical nature. Could you rephrase your question? If not, I will consider ruling it out of order. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 358-12(6): Definition Of "prior Years' Claims"
Question 358-12(6): Definition Of "prior Years' Claims"
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 781

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Yellowknife Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I had thought that because this information was contained in the annual report of the WCB that it might be within the knowledge of the Minister. However, if there is a concern that it might not be, I would be happy to pose this question later under written questions.

Return To Question 358-12(6): Definition Of "prior Years' Claims"
Question 358-12(6): Definition Of "prior Years' Claims"
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 781

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Whitford.

Tony Whitford

Tony Whitford Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a question I would like to direct to the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. In the changes that have taken place, the rate schedule that is charged to the employer for the number of employees they have has gone up dramatically; in some cases, many times the previous rates. This has caused

hardships on some small businesses. Madam Speaker, some of the small business people have spoken to me about this and they expressed their concern over this dramatic rate increase. They also expressed concern that because the amounts were, in some cases, increased many times over, they have feared for their business.

They have suggested to the WCB that it would be more appropriate if the rates were increased in steps. There has been no reaction to that. I just wondered if the Minister would consider the severe impact that the rate increases will have on small businesses and take steps to correct that so it doesn't affect small businesses that dramatically.

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Todd.

Return To Question 359-12(6): Impact Of Wcb Rate Increases On Small Businesses
Question 359-12(6): Impact Of WCB Rate Increases On Small Businesses
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 782

John Todd Keewatin Central

I don't know where the honourable Member is getting his information from.

Return To Question 359-12(6): Impact Of Wcb Rate Increases On Small Businesses
Question 359-12(6): Impact Of WCB Rate Increases On Small Businesses
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 782

An Hon. Member

(Microphone turned off)

Return To Question 359-12(6): Impact Of Wcb Rate Increases On Small Businesses
Question 359-12(6): Impact Of WCB Rate Increases On Small Businesses
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 782

John Todd Keewatin Central

Can I answer the question, Madam Speaker? I don't know where the honourable Member is getting his information from because the average rate has, in fact, declined based upon the new assessments that were done. If the honourable Member would be specific about the class -- I believe the term was "significant rate increases" -- I would be only too happy to answer the question.

Return To Question 359-12(6): Impact Of Wcb Rate Increases On Small Businesses
Question 359-12(6): Impact Of WCB Rate Increases On Small Businesses
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 782

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. May I remind honourable Ministers, when you reply to a question, to reply in such a way as to prevent any type of debate. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.