New Acting Chief Appeal Commissioner

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS TRIBUNAL--New Acting Chief Appeal Commissioner

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Tribunal has a new acting chief appeal commissioner. Cabinet has appointed Louanne Labelle to the position, it was announced today, July 22, by Ernest Fage, acting minister responsible for the tribunal, on behalf of Minister Michael Baker.

"Ms. Labelle has a wealth of experience and knowledge," said Mr. Fage. "We're very pleased that she will guide the tribunal as it works with Nova Scotians and other organizations involved with compensation issues. I also want to acknowledge the significant progress made under the effective leadership of Ms. Katherine Carrigan during her tenure as chief appeal commissioner."

Ms. Carrigan, a lawyer, has joined the legal services division of the Department of Justice.

Ms. Labelle holds law degrees from the Université de Montreal and Dalhousie University. She is currently a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society and the Barreau du Québec. Prior to joining the tribunal as an appeal commissioner in 1999, she was in private practice for several years in Dartmouth and served a five-year term as a small claims court adjudicator.

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Tribunal is an independent appeal tribunal which hears and decides appeals of final decisions of the Workers' Compensation Board. The tribunal is governed by the Workers' Compensation Act of Nova Scotia and is the final level of appeal within the compensation system.