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HOME / OFFICE OF THE WORKERS COMPENSATION APPEAL TRIBUNAL /

About Us

Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal

The Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal is an appeal body appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council to hear appeals of Internal Reconsideration Officer (IRO) decisions and any matter referred to it by the Workers Compensation Board.

Under the legislative authority of the Workers Compensation Act, the Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal is an independent quasi-judicial administrative tribunal which respects the rules of natural justice. If a worker or an employer is dissatisfied with a decision made by the IRO, they can appeal it through the Appeal Tribunal.

The primary responsibility of the Appeal Tribunal is to provide timely, fair, consistent and impartial decisions when resolving appeals of decisions rendered by the Board's Internal Reconsideration Officer. When hearing appeals, Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal is bound by the Act and Board Policies.

Appeal Tribunal Membership

The current composition of the Appeal Tribunal consists of a chairperson, two vice-chairs and an equal number of worker and employer representatives. Each hearing is heard by a panel of three - the chair (or vice-chair), one worker representative and one employer representative.

Wendy E. Reid, Q.C. - Chair

John L. Ramsay, Q.C. - Vice-Chair

P. Alanna Taylor - Vice-Chair

The Office of the Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal Coordinator is responsible for coordinating all administrative functions relative to the Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal. Duties include:

• Registrar for Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal appeals, including performing the initial review of incoming appeal requests, communicate policy and procedures to all parties to the appeal, schedule and attend hearings, notify parties, arrange for special requests, enter documents into the file, maintain records and review, edit and distribute decisions.
• Provide support to Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal Chairs and Members, including responding to inquires, following up on calls and correspondence, organizing materials for hearings and maintaining files.
• Maintain records, files and statistics including a bi-annual and annual report to the Workers Compensation Board.
• Develop policy and procedures for the Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal process.
• Develop and maintain a budget for the Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal office.
• Liaise with third parties.
• Respond to requests for access to information.

The Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal Coordinator attends all scheduled hearings but is not part of the decision making process.

Although acting independently of WCB, funding for Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal, including the Office of the Workers Compensation Appeal Tribunal Coordinator, is provided through employer assessments.