February 03, 2005

Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan today received the report of the Workers Compensation Act Review Committee, the first extensive review of the act in almost 20 years.

"I would like to thank the review committee for their dedicated work over the past year, extensively consulting on the Workers Compensation Act and developing a comprehensive list of recommendations for change," Allan said. "I will be looking closely at their suggestions for updating and modernizing the act in forthcoming weeks."

The Workers Compensation Act Review Report released today is based on public consultations on the act. The four-member committee, chaired by Wally Fox-Decent, accepted written submissions and held public meetings throughout the province in the spring and summer of 2004.

The legislative review committee held public hearings in Beausejour, Brandon, Dauphin, Flin Flon, Gimli, Morden, The Pas, Portage la Prairie, Thompson, Selkirk, Steinbach and Winnipeg. The committee received an expansive set of submissions. Stakeholders made 203 submissions and 300 separate recommendations while 510 individuals attended the hearings.

"This report presents 100 recommendations on modernizing and updating the Workers Compensation Act for the 21st century. We have taken a practical, balanced and affordable approach to improving the compensation system," Fox-Decent said.

"I would now like to give Manitobans an opportunity to provide further input on the report," said Allan. "This additional public input will assist government in determining the package of legislative changes".

Manitobans will have an opportunity to review and make comments on the report by sending their comments to Workers Compensation Review Committee Report Consultation, P.O. Box 1770, Station Main, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2Z9, visiting the website at http://www.wcbactreview.com or sending an email to mailto:info@wcbactreview.com.

For further information on making a submission or for a copy of the report, phone
204-957-0024, fax 204-954-4995 or call toll free 1-866-868-4214. Submissions will be accepted until March 3.

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