Vince McKay, Minister responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC), issued the following statement today after the Legislative Assembly passed Bill 48, An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act, No. 2:
“Today, we have taken an important step to better support the people who answer the call when Northerners need help most.
Check against delivery
Mr. Speaker, workers’ rights are a cornerstone of safe and healthy workplaces. Across Canada, workers have three fundamental rights: the right to know how to do their job safely, the right to participate in making their workplace safer, and, of course, the right to refuse any work that feels unsafe.
Vince McKay, Minister responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission, issued the following statement today after legislation to strengthen presumptive coverage for firefighters and first responders was introduced in the Legislative Assembly.
“Firefighters and first responders are there for Northerners during some of the most difficult moments people and communities will ever face.
Check against delivery
Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to address a topic that is fundamental to the well-being of all workers across the Northwest Territories; the critical importance of improving workplace safety. Ensuring that our workplaces are safe is essential for the health, productivity, and prosperity of our communities.
The link below is being redistributed on behalf of the Government of Canada:
Government of Canada provides disaster recovery funding to the Northwest Territories
_________________________________
Le lien ci-dessous est redistribué au nom du gouvernement du Canada :
Check against delivery
Mr. Speaker, the Workers’ Protection Fund provides no-fault insurance coverage for employers and benefits and care for workers in the event of a workplace injury.
All employers share the cost of this compensation system by making payments based on their assessable payroll, which is the amount of earnings they report for each worker, and the group rate for their industry.
Check against delivery
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand today and announce the appointment of Mr. Rick Hunt as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission, effective yesterday October 2, 2023. This morning I met with Mr. Hunt and officially welcomed him to the position.
Check against delivery
Mr. Speaker, the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission is always looking for new ways to support employers and create safer workplaces in the Northwest Territories.
Through ongoing communication and engagement with employers, the WSCC identified an opportunity to improve their services and provide additional supports for employers facing occupational health and safety challenges that is separate from their role as enforcer of the Safety Act through penalties and fines.
Check against delivery
The importance of workplace safety cannot be understated. The Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission, or WSCC, works to emphasize this message in many ways, like through partnerships with organizations that share similar audiences and values.
One such organization is Skills Canada Northwest Territories, which the WSCC has an ongoing, multi-year partnership with. Their recent territorial Skills Competition and Career Expo provided an opportunity for direct engagement with NWT youth.
Check against delivery
Mr. Speaker, with the new year ahead of us, I am pleased to highlight the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission’s, or WSCC, new Strategic Plan, Paths Towards Safety
2023 – 2027, which is available for everyone to view on WSCC’s website.
