WCB Makes Significant Progress on Committments for Improvements - Feburary 2001

The Workers Compensation Board has made significant progress on a committment to action in a number of areas identified by the Employers Committee on Workers Compensation at a joint meeting held in the Fall. Critical action areas identified by this committee included items such as long term planning, independent operational and actuarial review, financial stability, legislative review and consistant application of policy.

The need for long term planning to ensure protection for PEI employers and workers through a viable workers compensation system has been addressed through a Strategic Planning process. By April 2001, a 3 - 5 year corporate Strategic Plan will be in place. Active participation by all compensation system stakeholders, including employers, workers, and medical service providers, has been promoted by the Board.

An independent review of the Workers Compensation Board operations has been completed and endorsed by the Board of Directors. Of the 33 recommendations identified most have been completed and the remainder are well underway with documented plans and target dates for completion. An annual independent review of WCB financial liabilities is completed each year by the professional actuarial firm Ekler Partners Atlantic. Ekler Partners provides professional actuarial services to a number of Worker Compensation Boards across Atlantic Canada.

The Hon. Jim Lee, Chair of the WCB states “WCB is fully aware of its serious financial situation and is accountable. As a result, we are presenting detailed information to PEI employers through meetings with local Chambers, service clubs and employers associations. This presentation highlights increasing costs of the compensation system, resultant impact on current assessment rates, the unfunded liability and the need to limit impacts on PEI employers.”

Legislative and policy review are key to effective client service. An application for legislative review of the Workers Compensation Act has been approved by Govenment and amended legislation will be put foward in the Fall. WCB has invited the Employers Committee on Workers Compensation to participate on a Legislative Review Committee. Policy review goes hand in hand with such legislative change. Carol Anne Duffy, CEO explained “a review of client services policy has also been identified as priority and a full time policy analyst has been dedicated to do this work.”

WCB has accomplished many objectives over the past few months including responding to the needs of employers through a project to simplify assessment payments, defining a new model for delivering effective client services, recruiting an occpational health specialist - Dr. Barry Carruthers, amending the Occupational Health and Safety Act and increasing education efforts in the area of accident prevention.

For more information contact Mark Barrett:

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