Government Takes First Steps to Address Workers' Compensation Issues

ENVIRONMENT/LABOUR--Government Takes First Steps to Address Workers' Compensation Issues

Environment and Labour Minister David Morse today appointed Louis R. Comeau as the new chair of Nova Scotia's Workers' Compensation Board.

Mr. Comeau was unanimously recommended to cabinet for consideration as chair after a rigorous selection process that included labour and management representatives.

In making the announcement Mr. Morse said that Mr. Comeau has exceptional credentials and will provide strong leadership for the board.

"Louis Comeau is well known for his strong consensus-building leadership style and excellent communication skills," said Mr. Morse. "These qualities, combined with his management experience, will provide a firm foundation for improvements in governance and accountability of the workers' compensation system."

The minister said Mr. Comeau's appointment is one of the significant changes government is proposing to improve the governance and accountability -- issues highlighted in the recently released Dorsey Report, a nearly year-long study of the workers' compensation system.

"James Dorsey stressed the need for appropriate governance and a comprehensive strategic plan for the health and safety within the system. These are our first priorities," said Mr. Morse. "Key in improving the system is to have strong governance that maintains the independence of the board and ensures public accountability. I believe we are beginning today on a strong footing."

Among Mr. Comeau's first challenges is the development of a strategic plan that will address key goals and strategies to reduce workplace accidents and injuries, reward successful prevention results and improve the insurance system. Interim funding will be available to ensure qualified injured workers' groups are able to participate fully in the process. This will allow stakeholders to share in the resolution of the many complex issues that need to be addressed.

The new chair will also be key in further assessment of Mr. Dorsey's recommendations.

"We are extremely sensitive to preserving the independence of the board, and not imposing details on a system that belongs to the workers and employers," said Mr. Morse. "How we proceed from here will be decided at that level."

In addition to appointing a new chair, the minister announced that the department's Education and Prevention unit will move from the Department of Environment and Labour to the Workers' Compensation Board. The move will make the board accountable for health and safety prevention initiatives. Mr. Morse said this will allow for more accurate reporting of accidents and incidents, which means prevention programs can be better targeted, leading to fewer incidents. Five full-time positions and about $500,000 will move from Environment and Labour to the Workers' Compensation Board as a result.

Other improvements include having the chief workers' advisor report to the deputy minister and requiring quarterly reports to be sent to the board from outside agencies, including the Workers' Advisors Program, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Tribunal and the remaining monitoring and compliance section of the Occupational Health and Safety division of the department.

In March 2002 an eight-member committee produced a consensus report with 41 broad recommendations. The committee was chaired by James Dorsey, a lawyer and workers' compensation expert from British Columbia.