The Honourable Gail A. Shea, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Workers Compensation Board, was unable to meet with Blair Ross yesterday because Mr. Ross did not show up for a meeting which he had scheduled.
It was the understanding of the Minister that the meeting was scheduled to review Mr. Ross' case and talk about his particular concerns with the Worker's Compensation Board. "I understand that Mr. Ross has many concerns, and I have been willing to meet with him on several occasions over the past week," says Minister Shea.
Minister Shea said, "the Worker's Compensation Board is continually looking for ways to improve its operations. A Legislative Advisory Committee was established in March 2001 to review the Workers Compensation Act. Employers, workers and the general public are involved in the process. The role of the advisory committee is to explore possible amendments to the Act and make recommendations to government for legislative change. The committee is holding a series of public meetings where workers, employers and the general public are providing their input on key sections of the Act. Blair Ross made a submission at the first meeting in Souris on May 14."
As well, Client Services policies are being reviewed, updated and amended. Draft policies are available for review and comment on the WCB website at http://www.wcb.pe.ca. In the next month, the Board will be publicly releasing its 5-year Strategic Plan. During the summer, a new case management service delivery model will be implemented.
Minister Shea announced today that the Worker's Compensation Appeals Tribunal (WCAT) is targeting a date for Ross's hearing on his claim for May 31, 2001, but this is pending confirmation of availability from Ross' legal counsel. WCAT is an external appeal tribunal which provides the final level of appeal for individuals not satisfied with the decision on their claim. In 2000, there were 5,704 claims received at WCB - 66 (1.2%) of these were appealed to the first level (Internal Reconsideration) and seven went to the final level of appeal tribunal (WCAT).