The Provincial Government introduced new legislation to change The Workers’ Compensation Act, to support workers and address concerns with the system.
The changes were proposed by Ken Cheveldayoff, the Minister for the Workers’ Compensation Board, during the legislature sitting on Tuesday.
In a news release following the sitting Cheveldayoff said, “These amendments are focused on ensuring injured workers receive the support they need to recover and return to work while maintaining a fair, effective and sustainable system for the future.”
Certain proposed changes include:
- 100 per cent wage reimbursement for time missed to attend injury-related medical treatment
- Establishing a two-year appeal time limit
- Clarifying eligibility requirements for psychological injury claims
- Recognizing additional health care professionals as eligible diagnosing providers
- Allowing other qualified medical professionals with relevant expertise to sit on panels
- Modernizing eligibility criteria for the annuity program
- Ensuring surviving dependent spouse benefits align with the core purpose of the workers’ compensation system
- Clarifying benefit entitlements for workers who experience recurrences of older workplace injuries
- Clarifying Board Appeal Tribunal quorum requirements
- Improving employer access to information while maintaining appropriate privacy safeguards
Cheveldayoff said the changes will improve outcomes for injured workers and enhance fairness and consistency in the administration of benefits.
