Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Item 13, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to table a document called Proposed Plan of Action and Schedule for the Hamlet of Fort McPherson. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motion. Item 15, notices of motions for the first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. Motion 12 remains on the order paper for tomorrow. Motion 13 will remain on the order paper for tomorrow. Item 17, first reading of bills. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. The motion is in order. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Bill 14 has had first reading. Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. Item 19, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters. Tabled Document 63-14(3), Bill 11 and Bill 15 with Mr. Krutko in the chair.

Welcome to committee of the whole. We have three items to deal with. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Dent.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to recommend that we deal with Bill 11 first, followed by Bill 15 and then the tabled document.

Does the committee agree?

Agreed. Let us start with Bill 11 after a short break.

-- Break

I will call the committee to order. We are reviewing Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act, No. 3. I will ask the Minister to proceed with any opening comments.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board, I am pleased to introduce Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act, No. 3. This bill will amend the definition of the "Year's Maximum Insurable Remuneration" (also known as YMIR) to raise it from $60,000 to $63,350.

The YMIR is a fundamental element of workers' compensation. It 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.

When a worker becomes entitled to workers' compensation, his or her benefits are based on the worker's annual salary to the maximum of the YMIR, which is currently $60,000. An employer is assessed according to its payroll. When a worker receives a salary greater than the YMIR, the employer is only assessed on its payroll up to $60,000.

The WCB's board of directors has recommended that the YMIR in both Nunavut and the Northwest Territories be increased to $63,350. That will, at this point, make it the highest YMIR in the country. The Nunavut Legislature has just increased its YMIR to $63,350.

This amount will allow the WCB to fully cover the salaries of 85 percent of workers in both territories.

In light of the assessment rates which will take effect in 2001, some employers will experience a nominal increase in their assessments as a result of the YMIR increase, and some will actually experience a decrease.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Does the committee responsible for overseeing this bill have any comments? Mr. Dent.

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.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. At this time I would like to ask the Minister if he will be bringing in any witnesses?

Mr. Chairman, yes, I will.

Does the committee concur?

Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witness in. Mr. Minister, for the record, could you introduce the witness?

Mr. Chairman, with me is Gerry Meier, the president of the Workers' Compensation Board. Thank you.

Welcome. General comments on the bill.