Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since our election in mid-October, we, at the Legislative Assembly, have been inundated with business plans, deficit reduction options and cost-cutting measures. The pace has been hurried and has not always provided an opportunity for consultation or input. A prime example of this is the proposed transfer of occupational health and safety to the Workers' Compensation Board. There has been no consultation or input on this transfer from the parties most involved; no consultation with the chamber of mines, the chamber of commerce or workers in industry.
Mr. Speaker, this move will have a major impact on a number of companies currently operating in the NWT, as well as those companies thinking of setting up shop in the Territories. We talk of bolstering investment in the Northwest Territories, investment which will undoubtedly come from business and, at the same time, we're increasing the cost of doing business. This does not make sense.
The Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, Mr. Todd, has identified and I believe stated in this House that moving occupational health and safety to the Workers' Compensation Board will bring us more in line with other Canadian jurisdictions. This simply is not the case, Mr. Speaker. A few quick telephone calls identified that, in fact, only four of the other 11 jurisdictions have combined the two offices. The Minister of Finance has also stated that these plans of which this transfer is part have been developed in consultation with the standing committees. My honourable colleague from Yellowknife Centre pointed out yesterday in this House that the Standing Committee on Resource Management and Development had recommended that the GNWT not proceed with the proposed transfer until further information, rationalization and justification had been provided back to the committee. This information has not yet found its way to committee Members.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, the NWT Supreme Court is currently reviewing a case in which the WCB has named the mine safety inspector in a law suit. Given all these factors, Mr. Speaker, it is difficult to understand why the government is pressing forward in this issue. I would strongly urge the government and the standing committees to revisit this option. The government must take the necessary steps and provide the required information so that a decision on the proposed transfer can be made in a true and consensus fashion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.