Bob Bromley

Mr. Speaker, thanks for the Minister’s remarks there. We have a system where one agency polices the workplace, administers claims and makes the decisions, in this case, without knowing or admitting the discretion it has to vary recommendations of its advisors. What will this Minister do to actively, regularly and independently monitor the activities and judgements of the WSCC to put the injured on a more level playing field? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission. Jurisdictions have enacted workers’ compensation legislation to ensure every worker is protected when they suffer injury in the workplace, yet I can’t help feeling my constituent would have been wiser to have a car accident with instant free access to legal advice, medical examinations and other services through his insurance company. Why does it take months for WSCC to move files when all that is needed is the prompt advice of its medical and legal advisors? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to relay the personal experience of a constituent whose unfortunate workplace injuries have resulted in a two-year odyssey of frustration, delay and uninformed support.

In September 2008, my constituent suffered a workplace accident resulting in severe damage to his ribs and spine. He is left with six to nine permanently detached ribs, nerve damage and great chronic pain with no hope of surgical correction. He can never again resume full duties and must make the choice between pain and debilitating narcotic medication.

He has experienced an apparently...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the English version of sub-clause 3 of Bill 5 be amended by striking out “an certificate of competence” and substituting “certificate of competence”. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Welcome, witnesses. Now I would like to say that we are open for general comments on the bill by Members. General comments on Bill 7. Hearing none, does committee agree that we move to clause-by-clause review of the bill?

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Does committee agree?

I call Committee of the Whole to order. We have before us consideration of Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Elections and Plebiscites Act and I would like to start by calling on Mr. Ramsay, as a Member of the Board of Management, for his introduction of the bill with opening remarks. Mr. Ramsay.

Does committee agree?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thanks again for that commitment. I think it would be good and I’m speaking, really, here, of the development of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy to have a specific timeline laid out for this process. I know public consultation is difficult, especially on an issue like this. It’s important to everyone. So I think that would be helpful and highlighting where and how MLAs could have early input into the process and so on. So I think that would be useful. Thank you.

Appreciation to the Minister for those comments. Obviously he’s been thinking about this. How does the Minister see this unfolding so that the public is aware of what’s going on and the process for consultation? Thank you.