Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a brief comment in favour of the principle of this bill. The issues surrounding various aspects of the workers compensation are something that come to my desk a lot in my office and I have been working closely with a number of injured workers as they work through the workers' compensation system. I have also watched the work of the legislative panel very closely and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Minister for wading through the maze of the legislative agenda that is in front of us and make sure this bill gets introduced in time for consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I realize now that this bill is introduced, we will be going through a public hearing process and there probably will be a number of suggestions from the public about ways to improve this, but from what I see and based on the Ministers' statements in this House, I believe this is a very good start. I think 61 out of 85 recommendations is a very good step forward, Mr. Speaker. Obviously, we would have liked to have done 100 percent, but I think it's good that the Minister decided to do what he can and not leave everything behind like we have seen in other cases. Mr. Speaker, I think this is a good bill and I would like to thank the board and the staff and officials in the government who have worked on this.

In particular, Mr. Speaker, I think it's a very good thing to have a workers' advisor appointed by the Minister rather than a board. I know the present incumbent and everyone before has worked really hard but there is a perception out there that's very real in the workers I have talked to who are hesitant and not 100 percent trusting about what the workers' advisor can do for them. I think having a Minister appoint them and then having a direct communication link between the workers' advisor and the Minister is a huge step forward.

Mr. Speaker, I have had the occasion to communicate directly with the workers' compensation office as an MLA and I think that for some of them it was a surprise to get any kind of communication from the Member. So this will go a long way in establishing a critical and important link between the worker and the workers' advisor.

The second thing I like in this bill that the Minister has mentioned is that there will be a process in place for an injured worker to have a team of people, including health care advisors and providers and I am assuming that would include a family doctor and other people who could intervene and look at what the extent of the damage is and what is the best way to treat the injury or damage. Often this is the area of most controversy. There is a lot of dispute about what the state and extent of the injury is and what is the best treatment. Sometimes the workers don't agree with the opinion given by the Workers' Compensation Board. So I think this is going to be a great improvement in the workers' compensation process and it's one that I will support.

Mr. Speaker, in large sense, what these amendments will do is bring it forward in changing the corporate structure, in a sense. Mr. Speaker, the Minister has mentioned that this bill is 25 years old and society has changed a lot in 25 years. The president of the corporation, in her statement to committee, said that she is working to change the corporate structure to be more friendly to the workers. Whether it's real or not, the perception has been out there and I believe that these amendments will work towards a change in the corporate culture so workers' compensation is seen as more friendly towards workers.

I should also note here that I do believe that by and large the Workers' Compensation Board gives a great deal of service. Most employees who are injured at work are able to go there and get benefits and remuneration for lost wages. It is those who fall between the cracks and those who are injured in a manner that's questionable or who are denied benefits for a number of reasons. I have dealt with these injured workers in very close situation and emotional situations and it's real people with real problems that we are here to help. I believe this will go a long way in addressing this.

With that, I would just like to congratulate the Minister. I look forward to getting involved in the public hearing process to make sure this bill and any improvements that might come about will be incorporated. I believe that it is good work and I am glad our Assembly will address this major legislative initiative before we fold as an Assembly.

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