Government to Increase Benefits to Injured

ENVIRONMENT/LABOUR--Government to Increase Benefits to Injured Workers

Changes to the Workers' Compensation Act introduced today, Nov. 19, will improve benefits for Nova Scotia workers injured before March 23, 1990. David Morse, Minister of Environment and Labour, introduced the amendment at the request of the directors of the Workers' Compensation Board, who unanimously approved the step at their last board meeting.

The amendment to section 227 of the Workers' Compensation Act and related regulations will enable the board to adjust benefits under the supplementary benefits program.

"This amendment puts injured workers first," said Mr. Morse. "We're taking the action necessary to correct this long-standing issue."

The amendment implements one of the recommendations made in the review of the workers' compensation system earlier this year.

This change will not affect workers' compensation assessment rates for 2003.