Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to raise an issue that came up during the election campaign last fall. In speaking to a resident in Hay River, the gentleman and his wife brought up an issue regarding the WCB benefits.

Mr. Speaker, by way of background, this gentleman was unfortunately injured on the job several years ago and, as a result, he receives a monthly WCB pension which he will continue to receive until his death. Mr. Speaker, the injured worker brought up an interesting point, that WCB pension benefits cease upon the death of the injured worker, unlike other pensions such as the Canada pension and private pension plans. Mr. Speaker, other pension plans provide benefits to the surviving spouse, whereas WCB pensions do not unless the injured worker dies as a direct result of the injury.

Mr. Speaker, as I have stated, in the Northwest Territories WCB pension benefits end with the death of the injured worker. Exceptions to this policy only occur in the provinces of Nova Scotia, Quebec and Saskatchewan where they continue to pay benefit to the surviving spouse for a period of three months. In the case of Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, they may also continue to pay other conditional benefits to the deceased worker if the deceased worker qualifies.

Mr. Speaker, I will have some questions for the appropriate Minister during question period. I think that in most cases we should recognize individuals and their spouse as one. So at the appropriate time I will have questions for the Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause