WCB Releases Report of the Legislative Review Advisory Committee

The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) has released the Report of the Legislative Review Advisory Committee. WCB is required to appoint an Advisory Committee to review the Workers Compensation Act every five years and to report to the Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour.

The Legislative Review Advisory Committee consisted of a Chair, Mr. Eugene Murphy (former educator); two worker representatives, Carl Pursey (Federation of Labour) and Joyce MacLean (injured worker); two employer representatives, John McKenna (Aliant) and Mike Annear (PEI Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association); and a member at large, George Cantelo (retired). The Committee’s primary responsibility was to review the Act, consult with stakeholders and provide a report with proposed amendments to the Workers Compensation Act and Regulations.

The Chair of the Workers Compensation Board, Nancy Guptill, explained that the opinions of Islanders were essential in generating the Report’s recommendations. She said "a consultation process was established to allow committee members to gather information from the public and workers compensation stakeholders."

The committee gained input through worker and employer focus groups, written submissions and e-submissions provided through the WCB website. Eight focus groups were held across the Island; sixteen written submissions were received, and ten in-person presentations were made to the committee.

The Report of the Legislative Review Advisory Committee includes sixty-nine recommended amendments to the Workers Compensation Act and Regulations. Some of the key recommended amendments include removing the benefit waiting period, calculating wage loss benefits at 80% of net earnings after 38 weeks, and removing the exclusion of farming and fishing operations from the Act.

Nancy Guptill stated that many of the recommendations will provide greater clarification to the Act, and will provide improvements in benefits for workers and employers. She added, "it is important that a balanced approach is taken to ensure workers receive fair benefits at a fair and sustainable cost to employers."

The report is available in hard copy at Island Information Services.

For more information contact Mark Barrett:

Tel: (902) 894-0362
Email:mabarrett@wcb.pe.ca