Public Consultations on Workers’ Compensation System to Begin

The public consultation process of the statutory review of the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation system in Newfoundland and Labrador is now underway.

Earlier this year, the Minister of Service NL appointed a committee representing key stakeholders to oversee the statutory review process. Ralph Tucker was appointed chair of the Statutory Review Committee and is the WHSCC board representative. Claude Horlick, a retired human resources practitioner, was appointed employer representative, and Dave Burry, a fire captain St. John's Regional Fire Department, was appointed employee representative.

“This is a significant phase of the review process which began earlier this year,” said the Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister of Service NL and Minister Responsible for the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC). “Through consultation with employers, employees, injured workers and key groups we will gain valuable insight into how we can improve the workers’ compensation system to serve better the people of this province.”

Public consultation sessions will begin mid-January 2013 and continue until the end of February 2013. A schedule of public sessions will be forthcoming in the new year. To register to participate in advance, call the Statutory Review Committee office at 709-778-4804 or email: WHSCCinfo@gov.nl.ca. The committee will also accept written submissions (paper copies or electronic PDF only versions) until March 1, 2013.

A discussion document has been released to key stakeholders to help guide participation in the consultation process. The consultation document is also available now online at www.servicenl.gov.nl.ca/Consultation/index.html. 

A number of key themes are identified in the document for consideration including:

• Maximum Compensable Assessable Earnings (MCAE) (Claim Benefit Ceiling)
• Financial Sustainability
• Labour Market Re-entry (LMR)
• Medical Management
• Occupational Disease
• Prevention – Role of Stakeholders

The committee invites submissions and presentations on these themes, or any other matters affecting the workplace compensation system in this province for its consideration.

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Media contact:
Hugh Donnan
Director of Communications
Service NL
709-729-4860, 725-6511
hughdonnan@gov.nl.ca 

2012 12 12             12:15 p.m.