March 3, 2010

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board should establish industry advisory committees, chair says

Move welcomed by construction task force leader

VINCE VERSACE

staff writer

Creation of permanent stakeholder advisory committees at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board is a progressive agency recommendation, says the head of a construction industry task force.

“That recommendation recognizes that if you are going to make changes and make the system better, you need to talk to those most involved,” said Clive Thurston, chair of the construction industry WSIB task force. “Setting up these committees is an excellent first step to achieving that.”

The WSIB recently released a stakeholder consultation report whose genesis was in a five-point plan to help reshape and develop a fiscally sound foundation for the board. Steve Mahoney, WSIB chair, authored the report and among its recommendations is that four permanent advisory committees be established which represent the construction sector, general business, small business and labour and injured workers.

“The dialogue with stakeholders does not end with this consultation exercise,” wrote Mahoney. “We are committed to further examination and discussion on the key themes presented, including the establishment of permanent stakeholder advisory committees.”

The fact there is one recommended committee for the construction sector and another for labour and injured workers is important and practical, said Thurston. He does see times when subcommittees could be formed which include employers and employees but the primary committees should be clearly defined.

“The WSIB is an insurance program developed for employers to provide to their workers. Employers need to be able to speak freely and be represented clearly at the WSIB as should labour, but not in the same committee,” explained Thurston.

Mahoney commented that the consultation process was a success between the WSIB and the people it serves, describing it as “positive, two-way communication.

“Stakeholders shared their concerns and at the same time, learned about the complexity of the WSIB’s mandate,” said Mahoney in the report.

Thurston noted that a large number of the report’s recommendations were generated by task force members, in particular the advisory committee suggestion. The ability to find workable solutions for issues such as experience rating, accreditation and a new model for a premium rates has been strengthened thanks to the report and its commitment to ongoing dialogue, he said.

“The key thing you want is a system that encourages people to be in it and continuing to improve it,” said Thurston. “The report gets that and illustrates what we are seeing in our day-to-day negotiations with the WSIB. They understand the issues at hand. There has been terrific cooperation over the past year and the report is balanced.”

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