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Bill 63, Workers Compensation Amendment Act, (No. 2), 2002
In the fall of 2002, the Government of British Columbia passed Bill 63, Workers Compensation Amendment Act, (No. 2), 2002, which changed the WCB appeal structure. These changes took effect on March 3, 2003.
The main operational changes resulting from the legislative amendments are:
- The number of levels of review or appeal have been reduced from three (Workers' Compensation Review Board, the Appeal Division and the Medical Review Panel) to two (Review Division and Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal (WCAT));
- A new Division (Review Division) has been created to improve the quality of decision-making and provide the first level of review/appeal;
- A new independent external appeal tribunal (Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal) has been established as the final level of appeal. The tribunal has access to independent medical advice and assistance in making its decisions;
- Legislated time limits have been set within which review and appeal decisions must be made;
- Policy set by the WCB Board of Directors is binding on all aspects of the workers' compensation system;
- Reopening criteria are defined; and
- The ability to reconsider decisions is significantly restricted.
As a result of the legislative amendments, the Review Board and the Appeal Division have ceased operations. On March 3, 2003 the new Review Division and the Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal came into existence. Workers currently awaiting an appeal decision, advocates and affected employers have all been informed of the changes.
More information can also be obtained in the Guide to the Bill 63 amendments to the Workers Compensation Act (PDF 133kb).
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