FREDERICTON (GNB) – Dorine Pirie and François M. Angers have been appointed as chairperson and vice-chairperson respectively of the board for WorkSafeNB, starting March 23.

“We will benefit from the valuable experience and proven track record of leadership of these individuals,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Francine Landry. “They will help promote the balance between the rights of injured workers and the financial interests of New Brunswick employers. Achieving our goals of creating jobs, righting our fiscal ship and supporting New Brunswick families requires the knowledge and experience of senior leaders, like Ms. Pirie and Mr. Angers. I am confident that their guidance at WorkSafeNB will allow us to continue moving our province forward.”

Previous to these appointments, Pirie was the assistant deputy minister of the Labour and Planning Division of the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour and Angers was a judge of the Tax Court of Canada.

A comprehensive review of New Brunswick’s workers’ compensation legislation is being undertaken to ensure that governing legislation and policies are appropriate to address the needs and realities of current and future workplace environments, and to strike the right balance between adequate compensation for injured workers and employers’ fiscal interests.

The first phase of the review examined the issues of an internal dispute mechanism and the governance of the WorkSafeNB Appeals Tribunal. The second phase will commence with a targeted consultation process with key stakeholders including injured workers and employers.

Three items have been identified as discussion topics for phase two:

  • the governance structure of WorkSafeNB;
  • the role and functions of Worker’s and Employers’ Advocate Services; and
  • the review of section 38 (benefits) of the Workers’ Compensation Act.

This is a cooperative and collaborative effort between the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour and WorkSafeNB.

WorkSafeNB is a Crown corporation charged with overseeing the implementation and application of the New Brunswick Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Workers' Compensation Act of New Brunswick, the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission Act of New Brunswick, and the Firefighters' Compensation Act.

The board is the accountability link between WorkSafeNB and the minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour.

 

20-03-15