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On visiting the CBC Saskatchewan web site sometime ago, I came across the news that the WCB (Workers Compensation Board) will be paying rebates to some 32,000 employers. These rebates are coming from a surplus in the WCB's injury fund. These year's rebates are between $35 and $40 million, while last year's rebates were $23 million. The pay out of these rebates indicates that the WCB is out of its trees and that its Big Wigs are worthy to join the Big Brains of the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO).

The pay out of these rebates indicates that the setting of the employers WCB rebates is out of whack, and there could be evidence that all the WCB rate structure is out of whack as well. The pay out of these rebates indicates that the related administrative procedures are ongoing nightmares, and such nightmares could be hiding the funnelling of money to third parties for services not rendered. Also, the pay out of these rebates will further create additional administrative expenses.

Marilyn Braun, with the Saskatchewan branch of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, has commented positively about these rebates "We believe this rebate will certainly further stimulate job creation in the province as well of enhance economic development across this province." Marilyn Braun deserves to join the Big Brains club as well if she believes that we should use the WCB for the ongoing payouts of rebates. As I am concerned, the way the WCB is operating its business is an indication that it is providing a disservice to both employers and employees.

Endnotes

Quote by Donella Meadows "challenging a paradigm is not a part-time job. It is not sufficient to make your point once and then blame the world for not getting it. The world has a vested interest in, a commitment to, not getting it. The point has to be made patiently and repeatedly, day after day after day" ftp://sysdyn.mit.edu/ftp/sdep/Roadmaps/RM1/D-4143-1.pdf http://iisd1.iisd.ca/pcdf/meadows/default.htm

General reference: Articles by Mario deSantis published by North Central Internet News

Surplus at WCB means rebate for employers, CBC Saskatchewan, http://sask.cbc.ca/ Web Posted | Mar 21 2000 9:28 AM

The Hypocritical Behaviour of Peter Federko, CEO of the WCB, by Mario deSantis, January 7, 2000

Editor's Note: WCW got the attention of CBC journalists Tuesday when they began discovering that the surplus that is being refunded is in part being created by injured workers medical treatment being covered by Medicare instead of by the Workers Compensation board. Two out of three cases were found to have been incorrectly billed.