Government creates three-person panel to review WCB

The government of Alberta has announceda formal review of the Workers' Compensation Board (WCB.)

The review,to be conducted by athree-member panel, will examinea myriad of issues related to the WCB.

Thatincludes policies related to privacy, transparency of the decision-making process and compensation.

The panelconsists of John Carpenter, a lawyer with Chivers Carpenters law firm;Pemme Cunliffe, an in-house counsel with Covenant Health;andMia Noirre, a labour relations consultant. Noirrewill chair the panel.

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Noirre said in a press releasethe panel will conduct a public consultationto gain an understanding ofthe impactof possible changes.

"We will reach out to Albertans to ensure we have a thorough understanding of different perspectives," said Noirre. "This will be beneficial as we work through the myriad of complex issues."

It will be the first comprehensive review of the WCB system in over 15years.

Labour Minister Christina Gray said in a statement that "Albertans deserve a system that works for them when they need it."

Thereview will help ensure that the WCBprovides "fair compensation and meaningful rehabilitation in a way that is sustainable and affordable," said Gray.

The panelis expected to provide a progress update in the fall of 2016. The final report is scheduled to be completedby the spring of 2017.

The WCB welcomed the review announcement.