Workers' Compensation Committee to Tour Province
The Select Committee on the Workers' Compensation Act will begin provincewide meetings Aug. 25 to hear from Nova Scotians on how to improve the legislation.
"We're asking individuals and organizations to share their ideas and wisdom," said committee chairperson Michael Baker. "This is a great opportunity for all Nova Scotians to work together and make our system better."
The current Workers' Compensation Act came into effect Feb. 1, 1996. A major change to the system under the act was to base long-term benefits to injured workers unable to return to work on the loss of potential earnings, rather than on the injury.
The select committee was struck during the spring sitting of the House of Assembly to draft legislation aimed at improving the wording of the act. An area of primary concern involves older claims --those for injuries that occurred prior to Feb. 1, 1996. The lack of a clear process for dealing with older claims has resulted in a backlog of cases currently on appeal.
Mr. Baker is joined on the all-party committee by MLAs Hyland Fraser, Charles MacDonald, Michel Samson, Frank Corbett, Rosemary Godin, Charlie Parker, Ernest Fage and Jim DeWolfe.
The public hearings begin in Yarmouth on Aug. 25 and continue through the first two weeks of September. Dates and locations of the hearings are:
YARMOUTH -- Tuesday, Aug. 25, Rodd Colony Harbour Inn, 6 Forest St.
WOLFVILLE -- Wednesday, Aug. 26, Old Orchard Inn, Exit 11, Highway 101
BRIDGEWATER -- Thursday, Aug. 27, Wandlyn Inn, 50 North St.
SYDNEY -- Tuesday, Sept. 1, Delta Sydney Hotel, 300 Esplanade
PORT HAWKESBURY -- Wednesday, Sept. 2, The Creamery Building, 3 MacSween St.
STELLARTON -- Thursday, Sept. 3, Museum of Industry, 147 Foord St.
TRURO -- Tuesday, Sept. 8, Keddy's Truro Inn, 437 Prince St.
HALIFAX -- Wednesday, Sept. 9-Thursday, Sept. 10, Province House, Red Chamber, Hollis Street.
Hearings are scheduled for 3 p.m.-5 p.m. and 7 p.m.-10 p.m., except in Sydney and Halifax, where they will run from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. and 7 p.m.-10 p.m.
Individuals and organizations wishing to share their views with the committee are invited to attend a public hearing in their area. Presenters are asked to notify the committee in advance by phoning toll free 1-888-388-6489 or e-mailing wcbact@gov.ns.ca .
Nova Scotians may also make a submission to the committee by fax at 902-424-0513, e-mail wcbact@gov.ns.ca, via the Internet at www.gov.ns.ca/legi/wcbact, or by mail to:
Select Committee on the Workers' Compensation Act
c/o Legislature Committees Office
Third Floor, Dennis Building
1740 Granville St.
P.O. Box 2630, Station M
Halifax, N.S. B3J 3N5
The committee is to report back to the House of Assembly when the fall session resumes Oct. 15.