Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight reviewed Bill 11, an Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act, No. 3 at its meetings on November 9th and 10th, 2000. This bill amends the Workers' Compensation Act to increase the amount of a year's maximum insurable remuneration, known as the YMIR. The amendment will increase the YMIR from $60,000 to $63,350, effective January 1, 2001. Section 52 of the act requires the Workers' Compensation Board to do an annual review of the YMIR and to make recommendations on changes to the Minister responsible for the act. Mr. Chairman, the YMIR is used to determine the benefits payable to an injured worker, as well as the amount of payroll for which an employer will be assessed in the year.

The committee would like to thank the Minister and his officials for presenting the bill and responding to the issues raised by the committee. During the public hearing of the bill, the Minister advised committee members that the amendment will, at this point, make it the highest YMIR in the country, and that the Nunavut Legislature has increased its YMIR to $63,350. The amendment will allow the Workers' Compensation Board to fully cover the salaries of 85 percent of workers in both territories. Mr. Chair, committee members may have additional comments or questions on this bill during the review in committee of the whole. This concludes the standing committee's comments on Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Worker's Compensation Act, No. 3. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.