Thorunn Howatt
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 27/01) - A panel that will recommend changes to the Workers' Compensation Acts in the Nunavut and the Northwest Territories wrapped up hearings in Yellowknife and Iqaluit.

Louise Vertes is the Workers' Compensation Board's review panel chairperson.

"Last week we were back in Iqaluit for the final consultations," said the panel's chairperson Louise Vertes.

The panel was appointed by cabinet ministers in both territories and is conducting the third WCB review in 15 years. Earlier this year, the panel toured communities with a presentation and asked for feedback about the compensation board.

"What's been difficult for us is looking at legislation and not operations. It's hard to separate the two," she said and added the review is about changing legislation.

Iqaluit and Yellowknife were both chosen as stops for the panel's second tour.

"We heard from an injured worker in Iqaluit. He was saying positive things about the program," said Vertes. "In Yellowknife we were pleased because we heard about first aid."

She noted that many people voiced workplace safety concerns covering accident prevention, site inspections and availability of safety materials.

"Medivac costs were an issue in Cambridge Bay," she said explaining that Workers' Compensation obligates employers to transport injured workers to the nearest point of treatment.

Vertes, a former NWT deputy minister, said the deadline for a questionnaire that was part of the process was last Friday.

The questionnaire sparked enough interest to encourage Imperial Oil to send a representative to the Yellowknife meeting.

"We have not heard from employer representatives such as the chamber of commerce or huge employers. We've not heard from BHP or any of the other mining companies."

Vertes was pleased with the number of returns from the 750 mail-outs.

"We were hoping for a 10 per cent response," she said.