Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act, be read for the second time. Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Workers' Compensation Act in response to the reports and recommendations of various review panels and standing committees of the Legislative Assembly and in recognition of the need to amend outdated provisions of the act.

Some of the key provisions of this bill are concerned with:

- establishing the board as a corporation that is distinct from the persons who management it;

- establishing a governance council of directors of the board;

- establishing the office of president of the board;

- clarifying the application of the act, in part by clarifying the definitions "employer" and "worker";

- providing for the appointment of a workers' advisor and deputy workers' advisor;

- providing that the appeals tribunal may hire staff and contract with advisors;

- setting out the matters that the board shall consider in making decisions respecting claims and providing that review committees shall consider those matters in determining reviews of board decisions respecting claims and assessments;

- clarifying the provisions related to giving a notice of an accident and injury and providing that receipt of a notice of an accident and injury by the board constitutes a claim;

- standardizing time limits for filing claims;

- providing for a co-operative approach to the treatment of an injured worker;

- providing for a process to address conflicts in the opinions of the board's medical advisor and a workers' health care providers;

- increasing from 16 to 19 the age at which a child of a worker is still considered to be a dependant;

- repealing the provisions relating to silicosis, leaving the general provisions relating to industrial diseases to govern;

- clarifying the provisions respecting disclosure of information obtained by persons under the act;

- providing that certain amounts and other items, including the amount of the year's maximum insurable remuneration, will be set out in regulations;

- providing for the appointment of a review panel to conduct a review of the act;

- increasing the penalties for contravention of the act and the regulations and providing that an officer, director or agent of a corporation who directs, authorizes, assents to, acquiesces in or participates in an offence committed by the corporation is guilty of the offence.

The bill also makes certain amendments to remedy administrative and enforcement difficulties that have arisen under the Workers' Compensation Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.