By BC Gov News |
A public engagement on British Columbia’s workers’ compensation system and how to shift the system to become more worker centred, as well as how to increase worker and employer confidence, is open for feedback.
The public and interested stakeholders are invited to share their views until July 19, 2019. People can submit written feedback by email to Info@wcbreview.ca or by filling in a questionnaire online. Details of the engagement process and a link to the questionnaire can be found here: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/workerscompensationreview/
There will be public hearings in 14 communities around the province. Anyone wishing to present their views in person to the reviewer is asked to book a time in advance, using the email address above or by phoning 1 833 633-6790 (toll-free within B.C.). All meetings will be open to the public.
Half the times will be reserved for injured workers to ensure their views are heard about what an improved workers’ compensation system should look like.
Public hearings will be held in the following communities:
- Surrey – June 14, 15
- Castlegar – June 17, 18
- Nanaimo – June 20
- Campbell River – June 21
- Vancouver – June 24, 25
- Chilliwack – June 27
- Williams Lake – July 2, 3
- Kamloops – July 4
- Cranbrook – July 8, 9
- Kelowna – July 10
- Victoria – July 11
- Fort St. John – July 15, 16
- Prince George – July 17
- Terrace – July 18, 19
In April 2019, Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, announced the appointment of a retired labour lawyer, Janet Patterson, to undertake the independent review, to assess:
the system’s policies and practices that support injured workers’ return to work;
WorkSafeBC’s current policies and practices through a gender and diversity-based analysis (commonly referred to as GBA +);
modernizing WorkSafeBC’s culture to reflect a worker-centric service delivery model;
the case management of injured workers; and
potential amendments to the Workers Compensation Act arising from this focused review.
The formal review being undertaken by Patterson builds on work undertaken by WorkSafeBC over the past year to identify areas for improvement.
Improving fairness for workers and ensuring balance in workplaces are shared priorities between government and the BC Green Party caucus, and are part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement.