Kevin Wilso
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Nov 19/01) - While Nunavut continues to split from the Northwest Territories, the relationship between the NWT Workers' Compensation Board and Nunavut remains tighter than ever.

Kelvin Ng, left, and NWT Finance Minister Joe Handley shake on an agreement to indefinitely continue running a combined Workers' Compensation Board. - Kevin Wilson/NNSL photo

Joe Handley, the NWT minister responsible for the board, signed an agreement Tuesday with his Nunavut counterpart, Kelvin Ng, to have the WCB provide services in both territories.

Handley called the agreement "a good sign of things to come" between the two governments.

The agreement extends the life of the joint NWT-Nunavut board indefinitely, prolonging an interim agreement that set out how the board would be governed following division.

The two ministers signed the agreement in the main chamber of the Nunavut legislative assembly. With MLAs and spectators looking on, Handley told those assembled that he was "very pleased" to finally put in an appearance at Nunavut's new legislature.

Handley hadn't visited Iqaluit since division.

Ng said businesses in both territories lobbied hard to keep the old arrangement.

"Before entering into negotiations (with the NWT), we did extensive negotiations with the private sector ... they want an arrangement that gives them the best value for their money."

Both Handley and Ng share responsibility for the WCB. The board's seven directors represent both territories.

In an interview, Handley said the NWT/Nunavut board currently has the lowest premium rates in the country.

Both NWT and Nunavut are "too small" to have their own agencies, said Handley. "This system works for both of us."