Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have two returns to oral questions. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Pudlat on March 23, 1994 regarding information for communities on WCB process.
The Workers' Compensation Board recognizes the difficulties in communicating with residents of smaller communities in the NWT and in providing them with quality service. The WCB has already taken a number of steps to reduce these difficulties:
1. During 1993, board members visited all regional centres seeking advice form local stakeholders and hunters' and trappers' associations. The board committed itself to repeating those visits in 1994. Last week, the chairperson of the WCB attended the meeting of the Keewatin Chamber of Commerce.
2. The board has arranged for short information items -- public service announcements -- to be broadcast on CBC North. These announcements promote the board's 1-800 number, which is accessible from all NWT telephones.
3. WCB's quarterly newsletter, Directions, is mailed directly to over 3,500 employers, industry associations, labour groups and other interested parties. Copies are sent to the GNWT's GLOs (government liaison officers) in every community, as well as to all town, hamlet and city offices. The regional directors of the Department of the Executive also receive extra copies for additional circulation. The newsletter is produced in a bilingual format, with English and Inuktitut.
4. Inuktitut is given priority in the board's official languages plan, which recognizes the obligation to provide services in aboriginal languages. Along with the Directions newsletter, the board's pamphlets and information sheets are being reviewed and rewritten. These pamphlets will be translated into Inuktitut. Each letter written by the board's employer services and client services divisions is sent on special letterhead. The back of the letter contains a clear explanation of appeal rights in English, French or Inuktitut, as appropriate.
6. Recent amendments to the Workers' Compensation Act will affect traditional harvesters. The WCB will work with regional renewable resources officers and superintendents to ensure that beneficiaries of the program receive efficient service.