About claims

The Workers’ Compensation Act S.N.W.T 2007, c.21, In force April 1, 2008

The Workers’ Advisor Office is established in the Workers’ Compensation Act of both Territories.

PART 5, ASSISTANCE, REVIEWS AND APPEALS

Office of the Workers' Advisor

107. (1) The Office of the Workers’ Advisor is established to assist workers and others to understand this Act and to make claims for compensation.

(2) The Office of the Workers’ Advisor is independent from and does not form a part of the Commission.

(3) The Minister shall appoint a Workers’ Advisor and such deputy workers’ advisors and staff of the Office of the Workers’ Advisor as the Minister considers advisable.

(4) The following persons are not eligible to be appointed to the Office of the Workers’ Advisor:
(a) directors of the Governance Council and staff of the Commission;
(b) members and staff of the Appeals Tribunal.

(5) An employee in the public service may be appointed to the Office of the Workers’ Advisor, but no person appointed to that Office is to be considered an employee in the public service by virtue of that appointment.

108. (1) The Workers’ Advisor and a deputy workers’ advisor hold office for the term specified in his or her appointment.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the budget of the Office of the Workers’ Advisor must be paid out of the Workers’ Protection Fund.

(3) The Governance Council, on behalf of the Commission, may enter into an agreement with the Government of the Northwest Territories respecting the budget and administration of the Office of the Workers’ Advisor.

(4) The budget of the Office of the Workers’ Advisor may not be increased in any year by an amount greater than the cost of living increase established in that year under section 53, unless otherwise provided in the agreement referred to in subsection (3).

109. (1) The Workers’ Advisor shall, on request,
(a) assist any claimant, unless the Workers’ Advisor considers that the claim is without merit; and
(b) advise workers and their spouses, children and dependants about this Act, the regulations and any decisions made under this Act.

(2) The Workers’ Advisor may make representations on behalf of a claimant in support of his or her claim to the Commission and the Appeals Tribunal.

(3) The Workers’ Advisor may delegate any or all of his or her powers and duties to a deputy workers’ advisor.

110. (1) The Commission shall, on the request of a claimant, provide the Office of the Workers’ Advisor with any information the claimant is entitled to access.

(2) The Office of the Workers’ Advisor shall keep confidential any information provided to it by the
Commission or a claimant and shall not, without the consent of the claimant, divulge that information to any other person.

111. (1) The Workers’ Advisor shall, in accordance with the regulations and the agreement referred to in subsection 108(3), prepare an annual report on the functions and activities of the Office of the Workers’ Advisor for the Minister and the Governance Council.

(2) The Minister shall table a copy of the annual report in the Legislative Assembly during the first sitting after he or she receives it.