Preamble: The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) is a statutory agency governed by a Board of Directors representing workers, employers, and the public interest. The WCB is committed to providing superior compensation services to Manitoba workers and employers in a manner that is sensitive, responsive and effective.  

The Workers Compensation Board has its main office in Winnipeg with one other regional office in Thompson established in 2002.  

Questions, claims, and complaints from the southwestern region of the province are currently all directed to Winnipeg as there is no regional office.  

Resolution: That the WCB create a regional office in southwestern Manitoba to better serve the employers and workers.

Resolution Report:  

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce produces Resolution reports as part of its commitment to be accountable to its members. The reports are updated as matters unfold and have two components:

MCC Advocacy: Specific activities the MCC has done to help make this Resolution a reality. 

Developments:  All other information (e.g. government action, media coverage, reports) that relates to Resolution. 

Advice, comments, and information sharing are welcome; simply enter a reply at the bottom of this post.

MCC Advocacy: 

May 11, 2010: The 2010-2011 Resolutions were posted on the MCC website, listed as part of a comprehensive Report on AGM 2010 and then notice of this story was circulated through the MCC E-Update is sent to all MCC members, Media and Government.

June 16, 2010: Resolution books were sent to every MLA and every Member of Parliament that hails from Manitoba. The following had this Resolution specifically drawn to their attention with a detailed letter setting out the background to this issue, Government initiatives (where applicable), and an argument for the Resolution:

• The Minister of Labour and Immigration  

Developments:

August 24, 2010: The Honourable Jennifer Howard, Minister of Labour and Immigration, wrote to the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce on this matter. This is what she said:

“With regard to Workers Compensation Board (WCB) services, WCB operations are centralized in Winnipeg, with one satellite office in Thompson providing adjudication and case management services to that region. Winnipeg-based staff regularly travel throughout the province to meet directly with injured workers, employers and service providers, and they are able to access case files electronically from anywhere in the province. In addition, technology allows stakeholders throughout the province to interact with WCB via phone, fax or online. 

The WCBs current strategic plan includes investigating options for providing regional service. The Administration has provided the Board of Directors (the Board) with information about enhancing the WCBs regional presence by opening an office in Brandon. The Board is giving serious consideration to this matter and will be consulting with stakeholders before making a final decision.”

November 19, 2010: The WCB issues a news release entitled “Workers Compensation Board Opening New Office in Brandon, Manitoba.”

You can read the release here.