Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to raise an issue in relations to the WCB. I have a constituent who had his hand severely injured in a chain saw accident a number of years ago and he lost some fingers. He is a very hardworking gentleman who gets by on seasonal employment and part-time work. He has been after a lump sum payment for his disability. This is not argued or disagreed with by the WCB, and they, in fact on the face of it, say they have a policy for lump sum payouts. However, I have the policy here and the strings and conditions that they attach on lump sum payouts, I would consider to be draconian and onerous. Mr. Speaker, keeping in mind, that this gentleman is a part-time, seasonal worker, the WCB has seen fit to institute policies that require verifiable, independent stable source of income. If you do not have that, you have to show a stable employment history for five years. You have to be willing to put the lump sum payout towards a mortgage, a business venture or into a financial institution. In the most condescending fashion of all, the WCB insists that the applicant must be able to demonstrate the ability to manage his or her financial affairs. Mr. Speaker, I cannot believe that the WCB sees its mandate so far beyond looking after injured workers, where they would play the role of a social worker or a patronizing parent. In fact, this is his money. They are earning interest on his money. He has a legitimate request for a lump sum payout, yet this institution, which is rolling in money as we are told, will not even give this poor gentleman the money that he has earned his right to have. This is the 21st century we are going into. We are not going back into the 19th century. I would hope the Minister would look at this situation and this poor, hard-done-by gentleman who has asked very simply; give me the money that I earned that I paid into because of my injury so that I can put it to the use that I see fit. He does not need a corporation that is patronizing, intrusive and controlling withholding his money that is rightfully his. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause