Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to introduce this bill, which amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Its purpose is to make two important changes to the act, both of which reflect a cooperative spirit between WCB and government departments.
The first change deals with coverage for renewable resource harvesters, and the second with information sharing between the WCB and GNWT departments.
Both WCB and Renewable Resources sponsored the legislative proposal leading to this amendment of subsection 10(3), which will change how the WCB handles claims from renewable resource harvesters. The WCB has also worked closely with the Department of Renewable Resources to develop a memorandum of understanding to address the issue of harvesters' coverage.
Members have raised concerns about the WCB's coverage of renewable resource harvesters. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, in particular, has expressed dissatisfaction over the definition of "principally engaged," which is established in WCB policy. The board will apply more liberal criteria once this amendment is made, thus extending protection to more harvesters, increasing equity between individuals and allowing for more claims to be accepted.
The MOU that will govern the administration of the renewable resource harvesters' compensation program sets out that the board will not arbitrarily change the definition in the future. Rather, the WCB is committed to working jointly with the department if the program needs adjustment. This jointly developed MOU is the key to the program, but a legislative change is also required before it can be implemented.
Once a renewable resource harvester's claim is accepted by the board, the WCB must establish a level of income on which to base the level of benefits. The current legislation uses the year's maximum insurable remuneration or "YMIR," which is not $47,000 -- a figure not always representative of a harvester's true income. The amendment establishes a "deemed" income of $24,000. The Department of Renewable Resources recommends this amount as a more accurate reflection of earnings from renewable resource harvesting activity.
Only a few claims from harvesters are now being accepted because the definition of "principally engaged" refers to harvesting income of $10,000 or more. This $10,000 threshold has been difficult for most renewable resource harvesters to meet. The MOU will require that 25 per cent or more of the harvesters' annual income be from harvesting and it credits the harvester with $7,000 for the value of country food. The combination of this legislative amendment and the WCB policy change should result in more eligible claims.
Under current legislation, the WCB can exchange information with the Government of Canada, the provinces and the Yukon, but not with our own government.
While this is only a minor wording change, it is important. This House recently adopted the recommendations of the Special Committee on Health and Social Services to ensure government departments work more closely together and consult with each other.
Some people are also concerned about the protection of privacy. The amendment does not promote the release of information to just anyone. Information will be released under controls and guidelines. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.