Act Now - The Report of the WCB Legislative Review Panel to the

3.14.2 Client Bill of RightsSome stakeholders have suggested there needs to be a client bill of rights. They base thissuggestion on examples of mistreatment of stakeholders, particularly injured workers.The majority of respondents to the Stakeholder Questionnaire agreed and thought a clientbill of rights should be described in legislation.The Panel has reviewed the Mission Statement and Values of the WCB. In part, theMission of the WCB is to provide workers and employers with quality services. This isto be done in accordance with the Values that include treating others with fairness andrespect, being open and truthful in dealings with others, and being responsive to clients.These are the same qualities that stakeholders suggest should be in a client bill of rights.If the WCB is not living up to its stated Mission and Values, it is a deeper operationalproblem that will not be addressed by legislating the type of treatment a client shouldreceive. The WCB should be held accountable for its commitments. The Panel believesthat the accountability mechanisms, particularly the regular reviews of the WCB, providea way to hold the WCB accountable for its treatment of clients.3.14.3 Structure of the ActsThe first Workers’ Compensation Act was enacted in the NWT in 1977. Since that timethere have been amendments to various sections of the Act. The Nunavut Act essentiallymirrors the NWT Act. Stakeholders told us that the Act is cumbersome and hard tofollow. The challenge of trying to find the final and conclusive definition of a workerwas described in Section 3.1.2, Definition of Worker.Stakeholders also told the Panel that the legislation is hard to understand. It is definitelynot in simple or plain language. The Panel sees the upcoming revision to legislation asan opportunity to review the Acts in total, with a view to removing redundant or out-of-WCB Legislative Review Panel Report Page 83 of 128December, 2001