Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Later today I will table the Workers' Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut 2005 Annual Report. Mr. Speaker, it contains good news for northern stakeholders.
Everyone agrees the sooner an injured worker is helped to return to work, the better. The WCB offers injured workers the Healthy Return to Work Program. Through this innovative program, the average duration for lost-time accidents is under 44 days.
Mr. Speaker, last year the WCB registered 3,321 new claims. Of these, 950 were from workers who lost time at work. Of all the claims registered, there were a total of 128 requests -- 108 to the review committee and 20 to the appeals tribunal -- for review. The review committee completed 81 reviews and the appeals tribunal concluded 24.
Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, last year there were 10 deaths as a result of workplace accidents. All workplace deaths are avoidable, and we all need to keep that in mind. WCB continues to institute programs to reduce workplace injuries, including the strategic safety plan that focuses on the need to change attitudes on workplace safety. As well, Safe Advantage, a merit/demerit program that will recognize employers with good safety records, will be introduced in 2007. This program will encourage employers to work even harder to ensure safe work places for their employees by providing an incentive for good safety practices.
Mr. Speaker, in 2005, the cost of claims was lowered by approximately $1 million from 2004, and the WCB reduced administration costs by $300,000. A change in accounting rules and good administration of stakeholders' money has resulted in the WCB being one of the best financed boards in Canada, with assets totalling $295 million and liabilities of $211 million. That means there is more than enough money in the accident fund to cover all existing and expected claims, which is good news for both employers and workers. Mr. Speaker, it also means the WCB will plan to reduce employer assessments in 2007.