Text Size
A
A
A
  • Home
    • Consultations

Consultations

Worker's Compensation System - Statutory Review

Overview

The Statutory Review Committee invites the public to participate in its review of the Workers’ Health Safety and Compensation system in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Statutory Review Committee is responsible for managing a review process, as required every five years under the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act (henceforth referred to as the Act).

The review process is an opportunity to ensure the continued improvement of the workers’ compensation system. The Committee’s focus is to examine compensation and health care service, overall client service, the prevention of injuries and fatalities, and the financial sustainability of the worker injury fund.

The statutory review committee will prepare a report comprised of conclusions and recommendations for government’s consideration. The primary goal of the statutory review is to listen to the views of the province's workers, employers and other interested parties to identify potential improvements in the system.

Scope of review

To help guide participation in the consultation process, the Statutory Review Committee has also developed a discussion paper, which presents a number of issues and themes, followed by discussion questions. View the discussion paper (167 KB). A copy of the current Act and Regulations can be viewed here.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Employers’ Council, the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour, and the Commission conducted a pre-planning phase to identify key themes for the public consultation process. Each sector had identified three priority themes. Together, these are:

  1. Maximum Compensable Assessable Earnings (MCAE) (Claim Benefit Ceiling)
  2. Financial Sustainability
  3. Labour Market Re-entry (LMR)
  4. Medical Management
  5. Occupational Disease
  6. Prevention – Role of Stakeholders

Submissions and Presentations

The Committee invites submissions and presentations on these themes, or any other issue affecting the management of the workers’ compensation system in this province, for its consideration.

The Statutory Review Committee will be holding public sessions.

The locations and dates for the sessions are as follows:

Date Location Venue Time
Wednesday, February 27 Springdale Pelley's Narwhale Inn 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, February 28 Grand Falls-Windsor Mount Peyton Hotel 9:00 a.m.
Friday, March 1 Gander Hotel Gander 9:00 a.m.
Monday, March 4 Labrador City Two Seasons Inn 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, March 5 Happy Valley-Goose Bay Hotel North Two 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, March 6 St. Anthony Hotel North Three 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, March 13 Clarenville Clarenville Inn 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, March 14 Marystown Hotel Marystown 9:00 a.m.
Friday, March 15 Carbonear Fong's Hotel 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 19 Port aux Basques Hotel Port aux Basques 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, March 20 Stephenville Holiday Inn Stephenville 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, March 21 Corner Brook Mamateek Inn 9:00 a.m.
Monday, April 1 St. John's Ramada St. John's 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, April 2 St. John's Ramada St. John's 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, April 3 St. John's Ramada St. John's 9:00 a.m.

Due to anticipated demand, those people wishing to present should pre-register to indicate their interest and to facilitate our planning of the consultation schedule. To register, call the Statutory Review Committee office at 709-778-4804 or email: WHSCCinfo@gov.nl.ca.

The Committee will accept written submissions (paper or electronic copies) on the themes outlined in this document or on any topic relating to the workers’ compensation system in Newfoundland and Labrador. Submissions may be stand-alone documents or may expand upon the themes presented at the public sessions. Written submissions may be sent by postal mail, e-mail, or fax by April 3, 2013:

  • By mail to:

    • Statutory Review Committee
    P.O. Box 8158
    St. John’s, NL A1B 3M9
  • By e-mail (PDF formats only please) to:

    • WHSCCinfo@gov.nl.ca
  • By fax to:

    • 709-778-4808

Please note: Individuals and organizations wishing to make oral or written submissions are advised that all submissions will form part of the public record of the Statutory Review Committee’s proceedings and will be publicly accessible through the Access to Information Act.

^ Top of Page

Past Consultations

For details on past consultations please click links listed below.

Real Estate Trading Act

Service NL is conducting a comprehensive review of the legislation that regulates the real estate industry. In April, 2012 Service NL issued this consultation document MS Word Icon (188 KB) to gather information and views from the general public, industry stakeholders and any other persons or groups interested in providing comments as to how this industry should be regulated in future. A copy of the current Act and Regulations can be viewed at http://assembly.nl.ca/legislation/sr/titleindex.htm#R.

Submissions closed on June 25, 2012. What We Heard (88 KB) outlines the feedback received from the consultation process.


Possible Options for the Incorporation of Individual Sales Representatives of Registered Dealers and Advisers

Possible Options for the Incorporation of Individual Sales Representatives of Registered Dealers and Advisers opens new window

A working group of provincial/territorial government officials are seeking input from market participants and other stakeholders on possible options for the incorporation of individual sales representatives of registered dealers and advisers.

The options are set out in a consultation paper to stimulate public discussion. Your feedback will assist in informing any future policy development. No government or securities regulator has approved any of these options.

^ Top of Page

Unlocking Pension Funds

Government was seeking views of the general public, pension plan sponsors and those involved in the pension industry before making a decision on whether individuals, who have left an employer before retirement with a pension plan, should be allowed to take full control of their pension funds.

OHS Consultations in the Offshore

On Wednesday, April 14 in Halifax and Friday, April 16 in St. John’s, the Governments of Canada, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador held information sessions to kickoff a 45-day consultation period on proposed amendments to the Atlantic Accord Act respecting occupational health and safety in the offshore.

The proposed amendments have been jointly developed by the Governments of Canada, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador and are intended to replace the current mechanisms used to administer occupational health and safety in the offshore with a new legislative framework contained in the Accord Acts. Key features of the proposed amendments include a new role for provincial Ministers responsible for occupational health and safety, a new governance model and new enforcement provisions.

A copy of the summary document and power point presentation presented during the information sessions is available for downloading.

Mines Safety of Workers Regulations

^ Top of Page

Condominium Act of Newfoundland and Labrador

^ Top of Page

Consultation Process for the Draft Occupational Health and Safety Regulation

^ Top of Page

Proposals to Amend Legislation for the Use of Snowmobiles, ATVs and Dirt Bikes

On May 17, 2005, Government announced a number of changes to legislative provisions around the safe and responsible use of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). During the process of reviewing the ATV regulations, a number of additional issues were raised which require further review.

These include: whether similar changes should be made to regulations governing snowmobiles (e.g. operator age); whether public liability insurance should be mandatory for ATVs and/or snowmobiles; whether operator training should be required for snowmobiles and ATVs; whether helmets should be made mandatory for snowmobile operators; and, to what extent should similar changes be made to the rules for motorized trail bikes.

^ Top of Page

Buildings Accessibility Act and Regulations

The Building Accessibility Advisory Board (BAAB) advises the Minister on the application of the Building Accessibility Act and Regulations, and specifically in this instance to undertake a review of the legislation. A review of the legislation is necessary every few years to ensure it reflects the needs of the disabled community.

A draft copy of An in-depth review of the Buildings Accessibility Act and Regulations is available for download opens new window (751 KB)

^ Top of Page

Automobile Insurance Reform

Service NL addressed several issues opens new window (131 KB) related to automobile insurance reform which are in addition to the Terms of Reference of the review conducted by the Public Utilities Board opens new window.

^ Top of Page

Proposals for Changes to the Accounting Legislation

After consultation with stakeholders, Service NL has decided to amend the relevant legislation to provide licensed accountants the opportunity to practice as Limited Liability Partnerships or in corporate form.

Those who participated in the consultation were notified of this decision through a letter from the former Minister of Service NL, Walter Noel. The general public were notified of this decision by the Minister of Service NL, George Sweeney, through a press release on April 22, 2003.

Further information on these proposals can be obtained by reading the consultation document.

^ Top of Page

Automobile Insurance Reform

After an extensive review of the Report of the Select Committee on Property and Casualty Insurance, Service NL had requested feedback on developed proposals for Automobile Insurance Reform.

^ Top of Page

Cellphones and Driving

The public was requested to forward comments to this department about their impression on cellphone usage while driving.

^ Top of Page

Proposed Class Proceedings Act

The public was requested to forward comments to this department about their impression on the Proposed Class Proceedings Act.

^ Top of Page

Report to Government on the Homeowners, Commercial and Marine Insurance Review

In October 2004 the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador directed the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities to undertake a review of and report on certain issues as set out in a Terms of Reference with respect to Automobile, Homeowners, Commercial and Marine Insurance. This report opens new window (2 MB) contains the outcome of the public review, research, analysis and related discussions carried out by the Board into homeowners, commercial and marine insurance issues. This review was carried out in cooperation with the industry and numerous other interested groups and organizations who contributed to the work of the Board.

^ Top of Page

Automobile Insurance Review

Government directed the Public Utilities Board to review, consult and report on a number of issues affecting automobile insurance. This is the Board's report out of that process opens new window (24 KB).

^ Top of Page

Residential Tenancies Act

A sound provincial economy has resulted in a strong rental market within much of the province. A modern and robust regulatory framework is necessary to deliver consumer protection and to ensure that legislation accurately reflects industry best practices.

Service NL is conducting a comprehensive review of the legislation that regulates residential landlord/tenant relations and is issuing this consultation document opens new window (212 KB) to gather information and views from the general public, stakeholders and any other persons or groups interested in providing comments. A copy of the current Act and Regulations can be viewed at http://assembly.nl.ca/legislation/sr/statutes/r14-1.htm.

To help guide participation in the consultation process, Service NL is setting out a number of issues, followed by discussion questions. However, the issues and questions provided are not intended to be a complete list of issues to be considered. Individuals or groups may bring forward relevant issues for consideration during this review. Service NL will be hosting a select number of community visits to gather feedback as part of this process.

The schedule for these sessions is as follows:

Date Location Venue Time
Monday, October 1 Marystown Marystown Hotel 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 2 Clarenville St. Jude Hotel 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 3 Gander Albatross Hotel 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 4 Grand Falls-Windsor Mount Peyton Hotel 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 9 Corner Brook Glynmill Inn 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 10 Stephenville Holiday Inn 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Monday, October 29 Labrador City Two Seasons Inn 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 30 Happy Valley – Goose Bay Hotel North 2 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 1 St. John’s Sheraton Hotel 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 1 St. John’s Capital Hotel 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.


Individuals or organizations wishing to present during the face to face sessions are asked to pre-register a minimum of 48-hours in advance of the scheduled meeting time by calling (709) 729-2618 or e-mailing snlconsultation@gov.nl.ca.

All feedback is welcome and all options will be considered throughout this process.
Submissions may be forwarded electronically to snlconsultation@gov.nl.ca, or through regular mail:

Consumer Affairs Division
Service NL
5 Mews Place
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6

Deadline for submissions will be November 7, 2012.

^ Top of Page

Adobe® Acrobat® Reader software can be used for viewing PDF documents. Download Acrobat® Reader for free. opens new window

 
Last Updated:
This page and all contents are copyright, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, all rights reserved.