Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Ms. Lee on October 24, 2006, regarding WCB chronic pain policy.
Specific changes to legislation were requested to allow the Minister responsible to issue directives to the WCB
related to policy development, in particular a policy on chronic pain.
In March 2007, I will be introducing a bill to replace the current Workers' Compensation Act. This bill will clearly set out the roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities of the Minister, the Governance Council, the Workers' Compensation Board, and the Appeals Tribunal. The bill that will be presented will satisfy the recommendations of the Act Now report regarding transparency and accountability. The bill will also satisfy the Act Now's recommendation and the Auditor General's comments that the WCB remain independent from political influence.
With respect to the WCB chronic pain policy, the Governance Council is considering options for amending its policy at the February 13 to 16, 2007, meeting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.