Keeping Alberta Affordable: Eligible seniors and families with children under 18 can apply for $600 affordability payments. Learn more and apply now
This engagement has been archived
Status: Completed
Ministry responsible: Labour
Completed: 2017
Overview
The Alberta government is committed to making sure the WCB system provides fair compensation and meaningful rehabilitation and that the system is sustainable and affordable.
An independent panel completed a comprehensive review of the system in June 2017. It had been more than 15 years since the last WCB review.
Legislation changes
Bill 30: An Act to Protect the Health and Well-being of Working Albertans was introduced Nov 27, 2017.
If passed, Albertans would see an improved workers' compensation system that is fair and provides greater benefits to support injured workers.
Final report
The review panel concluded its work and submitted its final report in July 2017. Thanks to everyone who participated in the review and submitted feedback on the WCB Review Panel’s final report.
- Read the WCB review final report (PDF, 3.0 MB)
- Read the WCB review executive summary and recommendations (PDF, 376 KB)
- Read the What we Heard summary
What was reviewed
An independent three-member panel conducted a formal review of the workers’ compensation system, including:
- Workers' Compensation Board
- Appeals Commission
- Medical Panel Office
The review examined the:
- WCB’s governance and effectiveness
- principles of compensation
- policies of WCB including those related to privacy and confidentiality
- transparency of processes and decision-making.
Read the terms of reference (PDF, 202 KB)
About the WCB
WCB is the administrator of the Workers’ Compensation Act and makes claim benefit decisions based on assessment of claim facts and application of legislation and policy.
The WCB provides no-fault disability insurance for workplace injuries and illnesses to more than 160,000 employers and more than two million workers. The program is 100% employer funded and operates with oversight from a 10-member Board of Directors.
News
- WCB Review panel provides engagement update (Nov 9, 2016)
- WCB Review panel asks Albertans for input (Jun 6, 2016)
- Government launches formal review of Alberta’s Workers’ Compensation Board (Mar 24, 2016)
WCB Review Panel
An independent panel conducted a review of the workers' compensation system.
-
Mia Norrie, Neutral Chair
Human Resources and Labour Relations Consultant
Mia’s practice is focused on conflict resolution, workplace harassment and labour relations as a mediator, investigator, adjudicator and trainer. Throughout her career, Mia has had the unique opportunity to work for both management and unions in the private and public sectors. She works with a broad range of organizations across Western Canada in a neutral role to help unions and employers identify and resolve their issues in an effort to avoid expensive and adversarial litigation.
-
John Carpenter, Workers’ Representative Partner
Chivers Carpenter law firm
John has represented trade unions and their members in arbitrations, before the Alberta Labour Relations Board, the Alberta Courts and the Supreme Court of Canada. On behalf of injured workers he has appeared before the WCB, the Appeals Commission and the Courts. He has been a panellist in a number of forums, including the National Academy of Arbitrators Annual Meeting, the Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers Annual Conference and the University of Calgary Labour Arbitration Conference. He continues to serve as Chair of the Alberta Workers' Health Centre where the focus is information and awareness on workplace health and safety.
-
Pemme Cunliffe
Labour Relations Consultant
Pemme has recently retired from her role as In-house Counsel with Covenant Health having had an extensive career in a variety of health care settings, both in practice and in administration. She has served as an employer nominee in labour arbitration hearings for other health authorities/employers. Her current role as a Labour Relations Consultant focuses on labour and employee issues, collective bargaining, workplace investigations and other employment-based issues.