WorkSafeNB needs reform, not 'blowing up,' group says

New Brunswick's private sector employers say there's no need to blow up the WorkSafeNB model that seems to be working for them and their employees, according to an official.

The provincial government is undergoing a review ofWorkSafeNB.

Joel Richardson, a spokesperson for the Coalition of New Brunswick Employers, said he disagrees with New Brunswick's Ombudsman Charles Murray that it's time for wholesale change at the workers' compensation commission.

But Richardson said he doesn't believe it makes sense to "attempt blowing up" an organization that is fully funded by the private sector.

"Why would you even waste your time going through a massive reorganization, restructuring of an organization for all intents and purposes, from where we sit on the employer side, seems to be providing a fair and equitable and long-term solution," Richardson said on Tuesday.

Information Morning - Fredericton16:01Is WorksafeNB Working?

Joel Richardson responds to the Ombudsman's recommendation to overhaul WorksafeNB. He speaks for the Coalition of New Brunswick Employers.

Richardson said he also presented his views on possible changes to WorkSafeNB to the committee on the same day as the ombudsman.

He said he agrees with Murray that governance reforms are needed, particularly to ensure there is always a balance between employers and employees on the board.

The coalition spokesperson said politicians should tread very carefully around retooling an institution that is performing well.

"New Brunswick is one of the best-run organizations in terms of being held up as an example," he said.

"So if you are going to pick that apart, you better be prepared to say where is that extra money going to come from, are we going to take it from the pockets of the employers right now when we are in a poor economy and we are losing jobs every day."

The province's ombudsman said in an interview on Mondaythat he believes the original mandate of the workers' compensation commission was to find a way to deliver benefits to injured workers without going to court.

But Murray said as more powerful interests became involved in the private sector, he noted a shift has taken place.

He said fewer injured workers are getting access to benefits from the commission.