Released on January 22, 1999
Labour Minister Joanne Crofford today announced that amendments to theWorkers' Compensation Act will come into force on February 1, 1999.
"These amendments improve benefits for working people and ensure
greater accountability of the Workers' Compensation Board," Crofford
said.
The amendments to the Act were passed during the 1998 spring sitting
of the Legislature. They include:
addition of a benefit of the doubt' clause which ensures an
issue is resolved in favour of the worker, all things being
equal;
expansion of the definition of injury' to include a disabling or
potentially disabling condition caused by an occupational
disease;
an increase in the minimum lump-sum annuity payment limit from
$5,000 to $20,000;
provision of pension contributions to surviving dependent spouses
who are currently receiving benefits;
extension of survivor benefits to a common-law spouse with whom
the worker had been living for less than two years if they are
the natural or adoptive parents of a child;
a requirement for the Workers' Compensation Board to hold at
least one general meeting a year for all stakeholders;
provisions for government consultations with stakeholders prior
to the re-appointment of board members;
prohibition of the chair of the Workers' Compensation Board
from acting as the executive director and chief
administrative officer of the board; and,
a requirement for consultation and co-operation between the
board and the Occupational Health and Safety Division of the
Department of Labour.
In addition, new regulations under the Act also come into force
on February, 1. The regulations ensure greater accountability by
the Workers' Compensation Board by allowing the minister to
request information on its financial and management practices,
program or policy changes, strategic plan and other information.
The regulations also stipulate the information the board is
required to present to its stakeholders at an annual meeting,
including an annual statement of priorities, policy or program
changes, budgets and strategic plans.
"The WCB was able to reduce the premiums paid by employers at the
same time as improving program services and accountability which
benefits everyone in the province," Crofford said. "In November,
the board announced that 1999 premiums will decrease by an
average of two per cent. The majority of employers will also
receive premium rebates totalling $13.8 million."
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For more information, contact:
Carol Todd
Labour
Regina
Phone: (306)787-4156