Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board.

The Minister earlier made a report on the 1995 WCB's annual report in which he indicated that 3600 claims for compensation were accepted. I would like to know how many claims were rejected?

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I do not have the actual number available to me today, but I can answer the question this way, that historically, and I have been responsible for the WCB now for close to five years, that the number of appeals, if you want, that is the ones that do get turned down and then go to appeals, has been minimal over the time that I have been active in this Board and the Board's been in place. But I will commit to the honourable colleague, to get a very definitive answer on how many appeals have been rejected during the last year based on the fact that 3600 claims for compensation were accepted. Thank you.

Oral question supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. How long does it take for an appeal to be heard? How long does this process take?

Mr. Todd.

Of course, each appeal is different, Mr. Speaker, on some occasions it takes longer than others. I think it would be fair to say that a common complaint historically with the WCB was the length of time it took to deal with appeals because you are dealing with workers who are injured. An inordinate amount of effort was done under the former chairmanship of Mr. Bourque and others to try to speed up the appeals process.

So it is hard to answer my colleagues question as to does it take a week, does it take six weeks? Each case is viewed differently but there is clearly a recognition and understanding within the Board and the administration that appeals have got to move expeditiously through the system and I believe they have done that, through a summary of the last two years, Mr. Chairman, thank you.

Thank you. Oral question, supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Do injured workers get paid some sort of allowance from the Workers' Compensation Board while their appeal is happening?

Mr. Todd.

I believe the answer is no, Mr. Speaker. What happens is, a claim goes in, goes before the adjudicators, a recommendation is made to the Board, if it is rejected then they have a certain period of time to appeal it, there is an appeal process in place. So, I stand to be corrected, but I believe the answer is no. Thank you.

Oral questions, final supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, what recourse is available to these people if they are appealing a decision, they are not getting paid, what are they expected to live on during this appeal period?

Mr. Todd.

Like I said, Mr. Speaker, I stand to be corrected but I do not believe there is any payment but I will check on that.

My understanding is that, as I say, the appeal process, people have tried to move very very quickly through that so that we can respond to the injured worker. But in fairness to my colleague and his question, I am going to take it as notice, so that I give a more accurate interpretation of what actually occurs as it relates to appeals and compensation for appeal claimants. Thank you.

Thank you. The question is taken as notice. Oral questions, Mr. Krutko.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker it is my opinion and that of the government that community wellness does originate at the community level and they would have the best means and have the best knowledge to enact programs and changes that would provide the

benefits to their residents, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions, supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker it is the thrust of this government to try to support communities, to put the resources to where they feel they can best address the needs of their community, and in view of that I know I have indicated that...I have indicated that we are proposing some changes to the way that we fund some of programs and to speak in a general nature, Mr. Speaker we are trying to provide more funding to the communities at the community level to give them more flexibility and priorizing what their needs are, in addressing their needs so that we are hoping that through that they can recognize what programs they want to finance and what their priorities are, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Oral questions, Mr. Krutko, supplementary.