Madam Chairperson, the Standing Committee on Government Operations reviewed Bill 25, Workers' Compensation Division Measures Act, at its meeting on December 7, 1998. The committee would like to thank the Honourable John Todd and his officials for presenting the bill and responding to issues raised by the committee.
The amendments will allow the NWT Worker's Compensation Board an appeals tribunal to function as the board and appeals tribunal for Nunavut during a transition period from April 1, 1999 until December 31, 2002.
Bill 25 authorizes the Minister to enter into a transitional service agreement with Nunavut. The agreement will set terms and conditions under which the Northwest Territories Workers' Compensation Board and Appeals Tribunal will carry out their duties in Nunavut.
The agreement must also set out how the assets and liabilities of the board will be determined when the agreement has ended and how the assets and liabilities will be divided between NWT and Nunavut. The transitional service agreement will last until at least December 31, 2002. Bill 25 would also amend the Workers' Compensation Act to provide that, where the Minister has entered into a transitional service agreement with Nunavut, two of the board members appointed on or after April 1, 1999, will be appointed on the recommendation of the Nunavut Minister.
As long as the transitional service agreement provides for it, the board may administer the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Accident Funds as if they were a single accident fund. Over the transitional period, the assessments, costs and payments paid into and out of the fund will be tracked for each territory.
This bill also provides that employees will not be entitled to severance benefits for the loss of their employment with the NWT Public Service when the transitional agreement terminates if they become employed in the Public Service of Nunavut within 90 days. Under the transitional agreement, employees in Nunavut will be transferred to the new Nunavut Board. They will become Members of the Nunavut Public Service and their seniority and benefits will be protected.
Mr. Chairman, members of the committee may have additional comments on the bill as we proceed. This concludes the standing committee's comments on Bill 25, Workers' Compensation Division Measures Act. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.