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.