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FOR RELEASE     #08-069
March 26, 2008

New Workers' Compensation Act Tabled

WHITEHORSE - Minister responsible for the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board, Brad Cathers, tabled the new Workers’ Compensation Act in the Yukon legislature today.

“By including input gained through extensive consultation with Yukon stakeholders, the new act is an important and positive step forward for the Yukon workers’ compensation system,” Cathers said. “As agreed by the majority of stakeholders, the new Workers’ Compensation Act balances the need to provide the highest standard of care for injured workers and to ensure that the system is affordable and sustainable.”

“One of the most significant changes is a focus on early recovery and return to work by injured workers. This new measure is based upon successful legislation in other Canadian jurisdictions and will benefit workers and employers,” Cathers added. “Along with other measures, this is expected to reduce claims costs, and as a result, the assessment costs paid by employers.”

In addition to content changes, the new act has been written in plain language and reordered to make it easier to read and understand.

   
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Contact:
Matthew Grant
Cabinet Communications
(867) 633-7961
matthew.grant@gov.yk.ca