NDP Opposes WHSCC Privatization

"The proposed privatization of Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission amounts to the selling out of New Brunswick's injured workers. . . . Shame on them! Privatization of the WHSCC will lead to a staggering decrease in services and accessibility. Privatization will result in fees for service, increased wait times and increased claims periods. It will mean a "cream skim" of healthier patients to avoid the costs that come with treating our injured workers. . . . Privatization will result in a decrease in accountability because of its complete undermining of the Meredith Principles, the cornerstones of worker's compensation."

WHSCC privatization plan a disservice

The proposed privatization of Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission amounts to the selling out of New Brunswick's injured workers. It's bad enough that over the last 16 years, both the Conservative and Liberal governments have been eroding rehabilitation services just to ensure cheaper assessment rates. Now the liberals intend to privatize a Crown corporation.

Shame on them! Privatization of the WHSCC will lead to a staggering decrease in services and accessibility. Privatization will result in fees for service, increased wait times and increased claims periods.

It will mean a "cream skim" of healthier patients to avoid the costs that come with treating our injured workers.

Assessments will be subsidized by increased service costs. Privatization will result in a decrease in accountability because of its complete undermining of the Meredith Principles, the cornerstones of worker's compensation. And if all of this is not bad enough, profits will be diverted into the pockets of shareholders rather than into the development of better and more readily accessible services for our injured workers.

Hard-working New Brunswickers and their families deserve better. We want the complete restoration of WHSCC facilities, programs and fundamental services.

Finally, being a public service should ensure the process of public consultation. Dismissing this process begs the question: Does this government support its people, the very people who have built and are continuing to build this province?

New Brunswickers deserve to have a say in what happens to their WHSCC. Privatization is snake oil and our injured workers deserve better.

ROGER DUGUAY

Leader of NDP