Workers compensation review report released for public comment

Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, today released Finding the Balance: The Report of the 2006 Statutory Review Committee on the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act.

In November 2005 a committee was established to conduct the five-year, statutory review of the workers� compensation system as per Section 126 of the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act. The committee submitted their report to government on May 31, 2006.

"This is a report containing 44 consensus recommendations following six months of public consultation and extensive deliberation by the committee," said Minister Shelley. "Government will not reach final decisions in regard to the report until members of the public and stakeholders in the community have had an opportunity to review and provide their feedback for government�s consideration."

The Finding the Balance final report is available through the Labour Relations Agency web site at: www.gov.nl.ca/lra/publications/ . The public may call (709) 729-1760 or 1-877-563-1063 (toll-free) to request a printed copy. Government is sending printed copies of the report to all participants of the public consultation process.

A date of August 7, 2006 has been established as the deadline for receipt of stakeholder responses. Written responses may be e-mailed to findingthebalance@gov.nl.ca ; faxed to (709) 729-5905 or forwarded to:

Labour Relations Agency
Attn: Finding the Balance
P.O. Box 8700,
St. John�s, NL
A1B 4J6

Following the August 7, 2006 deadline, government will proceed with an in-depth analysis of the recommendations in conjunction with the feedback received. Government intends to announce its decisions regarding the report in the fall of 2006.

"The recommendations contained in this report affect workers and employers throughout the province and government will seek to find a balance that respects the interests of all parties," said Minister Shelley. "I will not prejudge these interests or comment on the report until all feedback is received and given due consideration by government."

Minister Shelley noted that the report demonstrates government's commitment to work with injured workers, employers and others to ensure that the workers' compensation system in this province is among the best in the country. The minister noted that the Statutory Review Committee had done exemplary work in preparing the report and thanked them for their hard work and contribution to the workers� compensation system.

Media contact: Ed Moriarity, Communications, (709)729-4062, 728-9623, edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca

2006 06 23                                 1:00 p.m.