Bill 70 (Legislature 17, Session 2)
L17 S2 5204
Alberta — Bills
1973 Bill 70 i d. 4 f If. • ,~ Seoond Session, 17th Legis,lature, 22 ElizaJ~ 11 THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ALBERTA BILL 70 The Workers' Compensation Act HONOURABLE DR. HOHOL First Reading ................... . Second Reading ................... ' ...... . Third Reading .......................... , .. . Printed by QUEEN'S PRINTER for the Province of Alberta, EDMONTON
Bill 70 BILL 70 1973 THE WORKERS' CO'MPENSATION ACT (Assented to , 1973) HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, enacts as follows: 1. In this Act, 1. "accident" includes (
i) a wilful and intentional act, not being the act of the worker, (ii) a chance event occasioned by a physical or natural cause, and (iii) disablement arising out of and in the course of the employment; 2. "Accident Fund" means the fund pr'Ovided for the payment of 'Compensation and other outlays and expenses authorized under this Act; 3. Hassessment" includes rates, levies and all other charges imposed by the Board under this Act; 4. "Board" means The Workers' Compensation Board; 5.
"child" includes an illegitimate child, a grandchild and the child 'Of a husband or wife by a former marriage, as well as any other child to whom the wor ker st'Ood in loco parentis; 6. "common law spouse" includes any man or woman who alth'Ough not legally married to a person lives and cohabits with that person as the spouse of that person and is known as such in ,the community in which they have lived; 7. "compensation" includes medical aid; 8. "cons1truction" includes reconstruction, repair, alter ation, renovating, painting, decorating and demoli tion; 9.
"dependants" means such of the members of the family of a worker as were wholly or partially de pendent up'On his earnings at the time of his death or who, but for the incapacity due to the accident,
Explanatory Notes General: This Bill will replace the present Work:men's Compensa tion Act of 11948 with a new Act reflecting the recommendations of Select Committee of the Legislative Assembly's report presented in this session prior to its adjournment. Included are revised pro cedures for processing claims, a general upgrading of henefits and increased emphasis on safety education. Also implemented is a policy of universal application with exclusions, reversing the present approach. 1.
Definitions.
would have been S'O dependent, ibut a person shall not be deemed to be a partial dependant of another person unless he was dependent partially on contri butions from that other person for the provision of the ordinary necessaries of life; 10. "employer" (
i) means every person, firm, association, body or corporation having, 'Or deemed by the Board or by this Act to have, in his or its service one or more workers which include the employer where he is self-employed, and (ii) includes the Crown in right of Alberta and the Crown in r'ight of Canada insofar as the latter, in its capacity as master, submits to the 'Operation of this Act; 11. "employment" means employment in an industry or any part, branch or department 'Of an industry; 12.
"fatal accident" m'eans the death of a worker from inj ury or disease under ,circumstances that entitle his dependants, if any, tD cDmpensation; 13. "independent 'Operat'Or" means a person who carri'es on Dr engages in any ,industry and who does not employ any w'Orkers ,in connection therewith; 14. "industry" means any es'tablishm'ent, undertaking, trade Dr busine-ss to which this Act applies, whether it is carried on in conjunction with 'Other occupations or separately; 15. "invalid" means a pers'On who is physically or men tally incapable of earning; 16.
"learner" means any person Wh'O, although not under cDntract 'Of service Dr apprenticeship, be comes subj ect to the hazards 'Of an industry within the scope 'Of this Act for the purpose 'Of undergDing training Dr prDbationary work as a preliminary to employment; 17. "manufacturing" includes making, preparing, alter ing, repairing, renDvating, servicing, dyeing, clean ing, ornamenting, printing, finishing, packing or assemibling the parts of and adapting for use or sale any raw material, goods, articles Dr commodity; 18.
"medical aid" includes medical and 'Other services by any of thDse licensed to practise the healing arts in Alberta, and nursing, hospitalization, drugs, dressings, x-ray treatment, .spedal treatment, transportation and such other matters and things as the Board authorizes Dr provides; 2
19. "member of a family" means 'Y'ife, husband, parent, gr~ndparent, st.ep-parent, chIld, grandchild, step chIld, brother, sIster, half-brother, half-sister and a person who stood in loco parentis to the worker or to whom the worker sto.od in loco parentis, whether related to him by 'consanguinity or not, and where the worker ils' the parent or grandparent of an il legitimate child, includes such child and where the worker is an illegitimate child includes each of his parents and grandparents; 20. "Minister" means the member of the Ex'ecutive Council charged with the administration of this Act; 21.
"pension" means a periodic payment to a worker in res,pect of whom a permanent disability has been assessed, or to a dependant of a deceased worker, the capital cost of whieh has been charged to the Accident Fund and includes periodic payments to workers (or their dependants) of employers speci fied in the regulations; 22. "physieian" means a person licensed to practise any of the healing arts in Alberta; 23. "secretary" means secretary of the Board; 24. "wages", "payroll" or "payr.oll statements", include any other relative or descriptive terms when the assessment is based thereon; 25.
"worker" means a person who has entered into or works under a contra-ct of service or apprenticeship, written or oral, express or implied, whether by way 'Of manual labour or .otherwise, and includes (
i) any person engaged in training for mine rescue work or who with the knowledge and consent of the management or the :person in charge of an authorized mine res'Cue crew, is doing recovery work after an explosion, accident Dr c~tas trophe, (ii) the employees of a contractor contracting for the performance of mining operations for an .other person engaged in the industry of mining and als.o such c.ontractor whHe actually work ing, (iii) (iv) a learner, and any other person wh.o, under the provisions of this Act or under any direction or order of the Board, is deemed to be a worker; 26. "year" m'eans a calendar year except as the Board may otherwise direct. 3
PART 1 THE WOR'KERS/COMPENSATION BOARD 2. ~ 1 )T~e W'Or ~men' s CQmpensatiQn B'Oard previQusly estaJbhshed IS cQntInued as a cQrporati'On with the name "The WQrkers' CQmpensatiQn BQard".
(2) The B'Oard shall cQnsist 'Of not less than three mem bers appointed by the Lieutenant GQvernQr in Council 'One 'Of whQm shall be designated as chairman. '
(3) A member 'Of the Beard hQlds 'Office fQr the peri'Od designated by his apPDintment but nQt exceeding 10 years frQm the effective date 'Of the apP'Ointment.
(4) UpQn the~expirwtiQn 'Of his term 'Of office, a member may be reapPQinted.
(5) The Lieutenant GevernQr in CQuncil shall fix the salary 'Of each member 'Of the BQard.
(6) No member 'Of the Beard shall engage in any 'Other bus,iness 'Or empleyment f'Or remuneratien. 3.
(1) The ,chairman is the chief executive 'Officer 'Of the Beard.
(2) A majQrity 'Of the members censtitutes a querum 'Of the Beard and the Beard may act 'On all matters and things required 'Or te be d'One by it 'On the decisi'On 'Of a querum 'Of the members.
(3) The chairman may authQrize a panel 'Of any twe 'Or mere members tQ cenduot any hearing 'On behalf 'Of the Beard and such memibers may exercise all 'Or any pewers 'Of the Beard necessary fer such purpese. ( 4) A decision 'Of a panel 'Of members acting pursuant t'O subsectiQn (3) shall be deemed tQ be a decision 'Of the Beard. 4.
(1) In the case 'Of illness 'Or absence frQm Alberta 'Of the chairman 'Or any 'Other member 'Of the Beard 'Or 'Of h~s inability te act frQm any cause, the Lieutenant GQvernor III CQuncil may apPQint an acting chairman 'Or an acting mem ber whQ fQr the per'iQd 'Of his apPQintment has all the PQwers and shall perf'Orm all the duties 'Of the member in respect 'Of whQm he is acting.
(2) In the case 'Of a vacancy in the 'Office 'Of the chairman 'Of the BQard Dr any 'Other member, the Lieutenant GQvern'Or in CQuncil may apPQint an acting chairman Dr an acting member, and the person 'Or perSQns SD appointed has all the PQwers and shall perfDrm all the duties 'Of the chairman 'Of the BQard 'Or 'Of a member, as ,the case may be. 4
2. Workers' Compensation Board. 3. Operation of the Board. 4. Hlness, absence or vacancies on the Board. 4
5. The office of the Board shall be situated at Edmonton and meetings of the Board shall be held in Edmonton, Cal gary and such other place as the Board may direct. H. The Lieutenant Governor in Council shall appoint an advisory committee to the Minister consisting of representa tives of employers, workers, the Board and members of the Legislative Assembly and may prescribe rates of remuner ation payable to members of the committee. 7.
(1) The Board may appoint an executive director and such other persons as it considers necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Act and the regulations and may pre scribe their duties and fix their remuneration.
(2) The executive director is the chief administrative officer of the Board.
(3) No member 'Of the Board is eligible to be appointed as executive director.
(4) Every person appointed by the Board holds oHice during pleasure of the Board.
(5) The Board may delegate all or any of its powers of administration to such of its employees as it designates. 8. The Board, with the approval of the Lieutenant Gov ernor in Council, may acquire real property and sell, lease or otherwise dispose of lit. 5
5. Meeting'S of the Board. 6. Advisory committee. 7. Appointment of employees. 8. Acquisition and disposal of property. 5
PART 2 JURIS,D,ICTION O'F THE BOARD 9. This Act applies to all employers and workers in all industries in Alberta except the employers and workers in the industries designa'ted by the regulations as being exempt. 10.
(1) Subject to
section 11, compensation is not pay able to an employer, independent operator or a member of the family of an employer or independent 'Operator when such member is employed by him and dwelling with him as a member of his household unless application to have the Act apply to that person has !heen received and approved by the Board in accordance with the regulations.
(2) Where the approval of the Board of an application under this
section is delayed by inadvertenoe, the Board, in its discreti'On, may make its approval effective from the date the application would otherwise have been approved.
(3) The Board may at any time revoke its approval of an ap:plication made under the provisions of this section, and upon the making of such a revocation by the Board the p'er son or persons referred to in the revocation cease to be workers to whom this Act applies as at the 'effective dake of such revocation. 11.
(1) Where a person does any work (
a) in an industry to which this Act applies, and (
b) for a person engaged in that industry (in this sec- tion called "the principal"), that person doing that work shall, for all purposes of this Act, be deemed to be a worker of the principal except when the person d'Oing the work (
c) is himself an employer or the worker of an employer in an industry whether the Act does or does not apply to that industry, or (
d) is a person to whom compensation is not payable by reason 'Of his being a member of the family of an employer or 'Of an independent 'Operator and dwell ing in his hous'ehold, 'Or (
e) is an independent operator whose application to have this Aot applied to him has been received and appr'Oved by the Board pursuant to the prov,isions of seotion 10.
(2) Notw,ithstanding subsection (1), the Board, upon the application of a principal, may deem all persons doing work for the principal to be his workers for the purposes of this Act. 6
9. Application of the Act. 10. Applieations to have Act apply. II. Persons deemed workers. 6
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Board if it con siders it advisable to do so, may by order declare ~ubsection (1) not to apply to any designated class of persons. 12.
(1) The Board has exclusive jurisdiction to examine, inquire into, hear and determ,ine, all matters and questions arising under this Act or the regulations and the aotion or decision of the Board thereon is final and conclusive and is not open to question or review in any court.
(2) No proceedings by or before the Board shall be re strained by injunction, prohibition or other process or pro ceedings in any court or are removwble by certiorari or otherwise into any court, nor shall any action be maintained or brought against the Board or any member of the Board in resp'ect of any act or decision done or made in the honest belief that it was within the j ursidiction of the Board.
(3) Nothing in subsection (1) prevents the Board from reconsidering any matter that has been dealt with by it or from rescinding, altering or amending any decision or order previously made, all of which the Board has authority to do.
(4) Each matter shall be decided upon the real merits and justice of the case and the Board is not bound to follow any previous decision or ruling of the Board as a precedent in reaching its decisions or making its rulings.
(5) The Board has the same powers as the Supreme Court of Alberta for compelling the attendance of witnesses and of examining them under oath and compelling the pro duction and inspection of books, papers, documents and things.
(6) The Board may cause depositions of witnesses re siding in or outside Alberta to be taken before any person appointed by the Board in a manner similar to that pre s'cribed by the A~berta Rules of Court. 13.
(1) No action lies for the recovery of compensa,tion, and all claims for compensation shall be determined by the Board.
(2) The provisions of thi,s Act and the regulations are in lieu of all rights and causes of action, statutory or other wis'e, to which a worker or his legal personal representative or his dependants are or might become entitled against the employer of the worker by reason of personal ,injury to or the death of the worker arising out of any accident happen ing to the worker in the cour,se of his employment and no action in respect of such personal injury or death lies against the employer.
(3) Any party to an action may, upon notice to any other parties thereto, apply to the Board for adjudication and 7
12. Jurisdiction of the Board and exclusion of authority of the Courts. 13. Worker's right of action against employer removed. 7
determina~ion of the 9-uestion of the plaintiff's right to compensa tlOn under thIS Act and the regulations and such adjudication and determination is final and conclusive.
(4) Where an accident happens to a worker in the course of employment entitling him or h1s dependants to compen sation under this Act and the circumstances of the accident are such as to also entitle the worker,. his legal personal representative or his dependants to an action against some person other than his employer, the Board ils subrogated to the cause of action of the worker, his legal personal rep res,entative or his dependants against such 'Other person for or in respect of the personal injury to or death of the work er. 14.
(1) Where the Board has become subrogated to the rights of a worker or his legal per1sonal representative or his dependants under
section 13, (
a) no payment or settlement shall be made to or with the worker or his legal personal representative or dependants for or in respect of those rights or for or in respect 'Of any claim, cause of action or j udg ment arising thereout 'except with the consent of the Board, and any payment or settlement made in 'Contravention of this clause is void, (
b) an action against any person arising out of injury to or death of a worker may, with the consent of the Board, be taken by the worker or his legal personal representative or his dependants, or by the Board in the name of the worker or his legal personal representative or his dependants, as the case may be, without the consent of the person in whose name the action is taken, (
c) if an action is taken by the Board it shall indemnify and save harmless the worker, his legal personal representakive or his dependants from and against all costs or damages incurred in respect of such action, including oosts or damages awarded by the court to the defendant, but excluding any costs which have been incurred by the worker, his legal personal representative or his dependants without authority of the Board, and (
d) the Board may at any time, whether or not action has been taken by the Board or the worker or his legal personal representa:tive or his dependants and whether or not judgment has been given in any action, effect a settlement of the claim for such amount as it considers advisable.
(2) Where in any action in which the Board is subrogated to the rights of the worker, his legal personal representative or dependants, payment into court is made pursuant to the 8
14. Effect of subrogation of the Board. 8
Alberta Rules of Court, the clerk of the court, upon receipt of notice by the Board 'Of Hs subrogati'On in the matter, shall not make payment out of court except with the consent of the Board.
(3) Notice to the clerk of the court under subsection (2) may be made in the same manner as is pr'Ovided in the Al berta Rules of Court for service by registered mail.
(4) Where money is received by the Board because it is subrogated to the rights of a worker or his legal personal representative or his dependants, (
a) the Board may accept the money and give a receipt therefor and, where the m'Oney is accepted in full settlement, may release the person paying the money or on whose behalf the money is paid from liability in respect of the personal injury to or death of the worker resulting from the accident; (
b) if the judgment 'Of the court under which the money is received clearly indicates that a portion of the award is for pain and suffering suffered by the worker and resul,ting from the injury, the B'Oard may pay to the worker from the money remaining in its hands after payment of all legal costs incurred in recovering that money, an am'Ount that bears the same proportion to the money remaining in Hs hands as the portion of the award that is attribut able to pain and suffering bears to the total award; (
c) if the money is received as a result of action taken or negotiati'Ons carried on by the _worker or his legal personal representative or his dependants, the Board may pay to that person, from the money re maining in its hands after payment of all legal costs incurred in recovering the money, an amount equal to 25 per cent 'Of the gross amount received by the Board, but ,in any case where payment is made to the worker under the provisions of clause (b), payment to the worker under the provisions of this clause shall be made only to the extent by which 25 per cent of the money received exceeds the payment made to the worker under the provisions of clause (b) ; (
d) if the balance of ,the money remaining in the Board's hands after payment of all legal oosts incurred in recovering the money and after payment of such amounts, ,if any, as are required to be paid under clauses (
b) and (c), exceeds the costs of the acci dent to the Board, including the capital cost of any pension award, the excess shall be paid over to the worker, his legal personal representative or his de pendants, as the case may he. 9
1.5. Where an accident happens to a worker in the course of his employment entitling him or hils dependants to com pensation under this Act, neither the worker, his dependants or his legal personal representative or the employer of the wor ker has any cause of action in respect of or arising out of the personal injury suffered by or the death of the worker as a result of the accident, (
a) against any other worker of the employer, or (
b) against any other employer in an industry to which this Act applies, when the conduct of the employer or worker which caused or contr,ibuted to the inj ury arose out of and in the course of employment in an industry to which this Act applies. 10
15.. Circumstances where no cause of action arises. 10
PART 3 COMPENSATION 1'6.
(1) Where in any employment to which this Act ~pplies, personal injury by accident arising out .of and dur Ing the course of employment is ,caused to a worker com pensation shall be paid unless the inj ury is 3)ttrib~table solely to the serious and wilful mis'conduct of the wQrker and death .or serious disablement does not result from it. (2) vVhere a worker is found dead at a place where the worker had a right during the course of his emplQyment to be, it shall be presumed that his death was the result of personal injury by accident arising .out of and during the course of his employment, unless there is evidence sufficient to rebut the presumpti.on.
(3) Where the accident arose out of the employm'ent, un less the contrary is shown it shall be presumed that it oc curred during the course of the employment, and where the accident occurred during the course of the employment, unless the contrary is shown, it shall be presumed that it arDs'e out of the employment.
(4) Where a worker is required as a condition .of his emplDyment to attend any classes or take any course of instruction, the classes or course of instruction shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be part of the employ ment.
(5) Where a worker suffers disablenlent from or because of any of the diseases enumerat'ed in the regulations as being deemed to be caused by employment in certain pro cesses specif.ied therein and at some time during the 12 mDnths preceding the disrublement he was employed in the process so deemed to cause that dis'ease, the disease shall be deemed to have been due to the nature of that employment unless the contrary is proved.
(6) Where a worker suffers disablement caused by dis ease, the date .of the accident ,is deemed to be the date of the disablement.
(7) If the injury does not disable the worker longer than the day .of the accident, no compensation other than medical aid shall be provided, but if the injury disables the worker longer than the day of the accident compensation shall be paid from and including the day follDwing the day of the accident or from the date .of the disabili,ty, whichever is the later, but excluding any day Dr days .on which the worker in the usual CDurse of his employment would nDt have worked Dr fDr which he would not have been paid.
(8) ND cDmpensation shall be paid to a worker unless a claim is made to the BDard by the worker within one year of the date .of the accident. 11
16. Eligibility for compensation. 11
(9) N otwithsianding subsection (8), upon a claim being made by a worker to the Board later than one year after the dah~ of the accident, the Board may pay compensation to the worker if (
a) the worker gave notice of the accid'ent to his em ployer as soon as practicalble after its occurrence, and (
b) the claim is a just one and ought to be allowed.
(10) Where a worker dies after making a claim to the Board, no compensation shall be paid to a dependant unless the dependant makes a claim to the Board within three years after the death of the worker.
(11) Where a worker dies without making a claim to the Board, no compensation shall be paid to a dependant unless (
a) the death occurs within one year of the date of the accident, or (
b) the death occurs within ,three years of the date of the accident and the conditions contained in sub section (9), clause (
a) have been met, and unless, in either case, the dependant makes a claim to the Board within three years of the death of the worker.
(12) Notwithstanding anything in this Act, in any case where, after considering the report and recommendations of the Ombudsman thereon, the Lieutenant Governor in Council is of the opinion that an inj ustice or hardship to a worker has resulted or will result, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may direct the Board (
a) to pay to or on behalf of the worker from the Acci dent Fund such amount as the Li'eutenant Governor in Council considers appropriate, or (
b) to refer the matter to the Supreme Court for an as sessment of damages and toO pay to or on behalf of the worker from the Accident Fund the amount of any damages so assessed. 17.
(1) Where an accident that would entitle the worker or his dependants to compensation under this Act if the accident had happened in Alberta happens while the worker is employed out of Alberta, the worker or his dependants are entitled to compensation under this Act if (
a) the worker is a resident of Alberta or his usual place of employment is in Alberta, (
b) the nature of the employment is such that in the course of the work or service that the worker per forms, the work or ser¥ice is required to be per formed both in and out of Alberta, 12
17. Accident elsewhere than in Alberta. 12
(
c) the employment out of Alberta is a continuation of the employment by the same empl'Oyer within Al bertta, and (
d) the employment out of Alberta has lasted less than 12 months.
(2) Where the operation in which the worker is and has been employed out of Alberta continues or is likely to con tinue beyond the period of 12 months and the worker con tinues or is likely to continue to be employed therein, the period of 12 months may, upon application by the employer, be extended by the Board for a further period of 12 months or such lesser period as the Board orders, and on further application by the employer lnay be further extended by the Board from time to time as it sees fit.
(3) Where, by the law of the country or place in which the accident hap-pens, the worker or his dependants are en titled to compensation or some other remedy in respect of the accident, the worker or dependants, as the case may be, shall elect whether to either (
a) claim compensation or the other remedy under the law of that country 'Or place, or (
b) claim compensation under this Act, and shall give notice of such election, but if there is in 'exis tence an agreement under subsection (8) the right of elec tion is subj ect to the terms 'Of such agreement.
(4) Notice of the election shall he given to the Board within 30 days after the happening of the accident or, if it results in death, within 30 days after the death, or within such longer period as, either before or after the expiration of the 30-day period, the Board allows, and if notice of elec tion is not given within the time allowed by this subsection it shall be presumed that the worker or dependants, as the case may be, have elected not to claim compensation under this Act.
(5) Where, pursuant to subsection (3), a worker or de pendant elects to claim oompensation under this Act in respect of an accident that happened out of Alberta and at any time claims compensation or some other remedy under the law of another country 'Or place in respect of the same accident, the worker 'Or dependant shall be deemed to have forfeited all rights to compensation under this Act in respect of that accident, and any moneys paid to him or on his behalf by the Board in respect thereof constitute a debt due from him to the Board. (6) Subsection (5) does not affect the right to compensa tion of a worker or dependant who takes an action at the request of the Board under the provisi'Ons of
section 18.
(7) Notwithstanding subsection (5), where a worker or dependant, before claiming compensation und'er this Act, 13
has in error claimed compensation under the law of the country or place in which the accident happened and has been found not entitled to such compensation, the worker or dependant shall be deemed not to have forfeited his rights under this Act by reason of having made .such claim.
(8) The Board may enter into an agreement with the W1orkmen's Compensation Board or body of like jurisdiction of any other province or territory of Canada to provide for the payment of compensation in conformity with this Act for injuries to workers who are employed under conditions such that part of the work incidental to the employment is performed in Alberta and part of the work in that other prov,ince or terri,tory, in order to ensure that such workers or their dependants receive compensation either in conform ity with this Act or in conformity with the Act in force in the other province or territory relating to workmen's com pensation, as the case may be, and to avoid a duplication of assessments.
(9) Payment out of the Accident Fund of moneys re quired to be paid pursuant to an agreement made under sub se0tion (8) may be made to the Workmen's Compensation Board or other body with which the agreement has been made, and all moneys received by the Board pursuant to any such agreement shall be paid by it into the Accident Fund. 18.
(1) If a worker or dependant entitled to compensa tion under this Act has any right of action in a place other than Alberta ,in respect of personal injuries to the worker he shall assign all damages to be recovered thereunder to the Board, and the Board may withhold payment of compen sation until the assignment is made in a form satisfactory to the Board.
(2) Where the Board requests the worker or dependant to take an action outside Alberta, it shall repay to him the costs necessarily incurred by him in the pros,ecution thereof, but the Board is not required to pay the costs of any appeal unless the appeal is taken at the request of the Board. 19.
(1) In every case of injury to a worker by an acci dent in any industry to which this Act applies, the worker or, in the case of his death, a dependant of the worker shall, as soon as pra0ticable after the happening of the acddent, give notice thereof in accordance with the regulations to the employer and to the Board.
(2) Failure to give the notice is a :bar to any claim for compensation under this Act, unless the Board excuses the failure on the ground (
a) that notice for some sufficient reason could not have been given, or 14
18. Assignment of damages. 19. Notice of a,cciden t. 14
(
b) in the case of notice to the employer, that the em ployer or his superintendent or agent in charge of the work where the accident happened had know ledge of the injury, or (
c) that the claim is a just one and ought to be allowed.
(3) Every employer to whom this Act applies, and who has knowledge or notice of the happening of an accident or of the allegation of the happening of an accident to a worker in his employ, shall forward to the Board, with a copy to the worker, within 24 hours after the accident or allegation comes to his knowledge or notice, notice of the happening of the accident or of the allegation of the happening of an accident, and shall also, in the event of the injured worker or the allegedly injured worker returning to his work or being able to return to his work, forward to the Board with in 24 hours after the fact of the return or ability to return comes to his knowledge, notice thereof, and shall make such further and other reports respecting the accident or aUeged accident and the worker as may be required by the Board.
(4) Every employer who fails to give any notice, make any report or to furnish particulars of any accident or claim required by reason of this section, unless excused by the Board on the ground that the report for some sufficient reason could not have been made, is liable to a penalty to be imposed by the Board 'Of $10 a day for each day the failure continues, but not exceeding in total, $50.
(5) If an employer of an inj ured person or a person who, in the 'Opinion of the Board, is or might be an employer of an inj ured person fails (
a) to give ,the notice or make the report required by this section, or (
b) to reply to the Board's communication in regard to such injured person within 30 days of the date of such communication, the Board may make a special investigation of the injury and of the facts and circumstances surrounding it, and the cost to the Board of such investigation may be charged by the Board to the employer or other person S'O investigated and he is Hable to the Board therefor.
(6) A physician who attends an injured worker shall for ward to the Board (
a) a report within two days after the date of his first attendance upon the worker, (
b) such reports from time to time as he considers nec essary or as may be required by the Board, and (
c) a report within three days after the worker is, in his opinion, able to resume work. 15
(7) The physician shall also, without charge to the work er, give all reasonable and necessary information, advice and assistance to the injured worker and his dependants in making a claim for compensation and in furnishing in connection therewith such certificates and proofs as are required.
(8) Every report made or submitted to the Board under any provision of this Act by a physician or hospital is for the use and 'purpose of the Board only, is deemed to be a privileged communication of the person making or submit ting it and, unless it is proved that.it was made maliciously, is not admissible in evidence or subj'ect to production in any court in an action or proceeding against such person.
(9) Upon the written request of the employer of an in jured worker, the Board shall provide the employer with a report of the progress being made by the worker.
(10) Payment by the Board of an account for medical aid rendered to an injured worker does not of itself consti tute the making of a claim by the worker or acceptance of a claim by the Board.
(11) The Board may from time to time require from any person entitled to compensation, whether a worker or de pendant, such particulars of his place of residence, address and other information relative to the disability and com pensation, as it considers necessary, and pending the receipt of such particulars the Board may withhold further pay ments. 20.
(1) A worker who claims compensation or to whom compensation is paYaJble under this Act shall submit himself for medical examination in such manner and at such time and place as the Board may require.
(2) If a worker does not submit himself for examinatioi1 as and when required by the Board, or if he in any way ob structs an examination, (
a) his right to compensation, or if he is in receipt of a periodical payment, his right thereto, is suspended until the exam,ination has taken place, and (
b) the condition found upon such examination shall, unless the Board otherwise directs, be deemed to have been the condition of the worker in relation to his disability at the date for which the examin ation was called.
(3) Where a worker claims compensation under this Act, (
a) the Board may require him to submit to such medi cal investigation as the Board considers necessary to assist it in determ,ining whether or not the worker is entitled to compensation, Dr 16
20. Medical examination of worker. 16
(
b) the Board may approve of any medical investigation already carried out upon reports being supmitted to the Board satisfactory to it for the purpose, and in either case the Board may pay the costs of such medical investigation, and the Board may make payments to the worker, which shall be computed on the same basis as compensation, for the period determined by the Board as being necessary for the purpose of the investigation. 21.
(1) At the written request of the employer of a worker who claims com1pensation, the Board may require the worker to submit, at the expense of the employer, to a medical examination by a :Q.hysician selected iby the Board.
(2) Where a worker does not submit himself ror the examination or in any way obstructs the examination, the Board may, on the application of <the employer, suspend the worker's r,ight to compensation until the examination has taken place.
(3) A physician who makes an examination of a worker pursuant to this
section shall submi,t his report on the work er to the Board and to no other person.
(4) The expense of the examination and the reasonable expenses of the worker in conneetion with it shall be borne by the employer and, if the employer fails to pay such ex penses, the Board may pay the expenses and the employer is liable to pay the Board the amount so paid and the re payment of the amount may be enforced in the same manner as the payment of an assessment may be enforced. 22.
(1) If an autopsy is cons1idered by the Board to be necessary to assist in determining the cause of any death, the Board may direct that the autopsy be made within a time to be fixed by the Board, and if the dependan<t or depend ants refuse to permit the autopsy, the Board may reject any claim for compensation under this Act.
(2) Where the death of a worker to whom this Act ap plies occurs whjle he is confined to a hospital, the hospital authority shall report the death to the Board immediately after it has occurred. 23. An application for compensation under this Act shall be dealt with and determined in the flirst instance on behalf of the Board ,by one or more claims officers employed by the Board. 24.
(1) Where a permanent disaJbility results from an accident the evaluation of the worker's disability shall be made on behalf 'Of the Board by one medical and one non medical employee of the Board. 17
21. Medical examination of worker at the instance of the employ.er. 22. Death of worker. 23. Application to claims officers. 24. Evaluation of disabilities. 17
(2) "Permanent total disability" shall be conclusively presumed in all cases where the injuries suffered consist of or include (
a) total and permanent loss of the sight of both eyes, or (
b) the loss of both feet at or above ,the ankle, or (
c) the loss of both hands at or above the wrist, or (
d) the loss of one hand at or above the wr,ist and one foot at or above the ankle, or (
e) any inj ury ,to ,the spine resul,ting in permanent and 'complete paralysis of legs or arms or one }eg and one arm, or (
f) any injury to the skull resulting in incurable im becility or insanity. 25. The Board shall, where it makes a determination as to the 'entitl~ment rto compensation of the worker or a de pendant, in writing advise the employer and the worker or, in the case of his death, his dependant, as soon as practic able of the particulars of its determination, and shall pro vide a
summary of its reasons, including medical reasons, for its decision, up'On request. 26.
(1) Upon the written request of the employer or of the worker or his dependant, the Board shan cause the record of the claim for compensation under this Act to be reviewed by a review c'Ommittee appointed by the Board which may, with the consent of the Board, hear representa tions on behalf of the employer and the worker or de pendant and which may confirm, vary or reverse any decision made in respect of the claim.
(2) For the purpose of the review, the review oommittee may require the worker to submit himself to a medical ex aminati'On by a physician not 'employed by the Board and the provisions of
section 20 apply. 27.
(1) Where the employer or the worker or dependant is dissatisfied with a decision of the review ,committee he may appeal to the Board in accordance with the regulations.
(2) In considering an appeal from a decision of the re view 'comm'ittee, the Board or a quorum thereof shall con sider the records of the claims officers and the review committee relating to the claim and shall give the employer and the worker or dependant an opportunity to be heard and to present any new 'Or additional 'evidence. 28.
(1) Any periodic 'Or other payment to a worker may be reviewed on the Board's own motion or at the request 18
25. Decision of the Board. 26. Review of decision by a review committee. 27. Appeal to the Board. 28. Review of compensation. 18
of the worker or empl'Oyer, and on the review the Board may put an end to 'Or reduce the payment or may increase it to a sum not exceeding the maximum hereinafter prescribed.
(2) The Board shall advise the employer and worker as soon as possible of its decision upon any review under sub section (1).
(3) Where compensation is payable the Board may com mute the payments payable to a worker or a dependant to a lump sum.
(4) The Board may in any case where in its opinion the interest or pressing need of the worker or any dependant warrants it, advance or pay to or for the worker or the dependant such lump sum as the Board considers appropri ate, and any sum S'O advanced or paid Ishall be on account of and is chargeable against the compensation payable to the worker or dependant.
(5) Where a lump sum paym'ent has been made by the Board to a worker or a dependant as a settlement in full of his "Claim and has been so accepted by the worker 'Or depen dant, the worker 'Or dependant is not entitled to receive or be paid any further or other compensation for or in respect of the degree of disability f'Or which he was being compen sated, but this subsection does not in any way prevent the application 'Of
section 55, subsection (4), the provision of additional medical aid or the payment of temporary total disability compensation in connection with the provision of the additional medical aid.
(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of any previous Workmen's Compensation Act of Alberta, the provisions of subsection (5) als'O apply to claims arising out 'Of accidents occurring between March 31, 1938 and March 29, 1943.
(7) In the case of death 'Or permanent total disability, or in the case of permanent partial disability where the im pairment of the earning capacity of the worker exceeds 10 per cent of his earning capacity at the time of the accident, no commutation of periodical payments shall be made except upon the application 'Of and at an amount agreed to by the dependant or worker entitled to the payments.
(8) Any lump sum payment made by the Board shall be computed on the basis of the rate of compensation applicable at the date of the accident causing the injury for which the worker became entitled to the compensation in lieu of which the lump sum paym'ent is made. 29. Where a worker is entitled to compensation and it is made to appear to the Board (
a) that a spouse, child or children dependent upon the worker and residing in Alberta are without adequate 19
29. Payments to spouse or children. 19
means of support and are or are apt to become a charge upon the Government or upon the munici paHty where they reside or upon private char1ity, or (
b) that a spous'e, child or children dependent upon the worker and residing in or out of Alberta are not being supported by the worker and an order has been made against him by a court of competent jur isdiction for maintenance of the spouse or children or for alimony, the compensati'On payable to the worker may be paid by the Board in whole or in part to or for the benefit of such spouse or 'children. 30.
(1) Where a worker dies as the result of an accident occurring on or after January 1, 1974 leaving n'O dependent spouse and (
a) for the five years immediately preceding his death cohabited with a dependent common law spouse, or (
b) for the two years immediately preceding his death cohabited with a dependent common law spouse by whom he had 'One or more children, the compensation to which a dependent spouse would have been entitled under this Act may, in the discretion of the Board, be paid to such common law spouse until such time as he or she marries.
(2) Upon the marriage of a con1mon law spouse receiving compensation under subsection (1), the provisions of this Act apply with all necessary modifications as if that person were the widow or widower of the worker.
(3) A dependent common law spouse receiving or 'en titled to receive compensation under the provisions of this Act may not be paid 'Compensation for acting or claiming to act as a foster-parent to the children of the deceased worker. 31. Any payment to or for a child may be made to the parent of the child, or the Board may direct that the pay ment be made to such other person or he applied in such manner as it deems best for the advantage of the child. 32.
(1) Where the only dependants are pers'Ons other than those mentioned in
section 30,
section 37, subsection (1) or in
section 39, the compensation payable as the result of an accident occurring on or after January 1, 1974 shall be a sum to be determined by the Board as reasonable and proportionate to the pe'Cuniary loss to those dependants occasioned by the death but shall not exceed $70 per month to a parent or parents or $105 per month in total payments to all such dependants. 20
30. Compensation payable to common law spouse. 31. Payment to parent or other person for child. 32. Compensation for other dependants. 20
(2) On and after January 1, 1974 a dependant Dther than a perSDn mentiDned in
section 30, s'ectiDn 37, subsectiDn
(1) Dr in sectiDn 39, receiving cDmpensatiDn under any Work men's Compensation Act of Alberta, in respect Df the death of a wDrker where the date Dr time Df the award under Dr because Df which the compensatiDn is payable Dr Df the accident that DccasiDned the award is prior tD that date, may be granted an additiDnal payment of compensatiDn sufficient tD bring the mDnthly paym'ent to an amount not exceeding $70 per month in the case Df a parent Dr parents Dr $105 per mDnth in total payments tD all such dependants.
(3) The cost of any additional am'ounts Df compensation paid under subsectiDn (2) shall be paid into the Accident Fund frDm the General Revenue Fund.
(4) CompensatiDn tD which this sectiDn applies shall continue for as long as in the opinion Df the Board it might reasDnably be expected tha1t the wDrker had he lived wDuld have continued to cDntribute to' the support of the dependant.
(5) CDmpensation to which this sectiDn applies may be awarded whDlly Dr partly in a lump sum Dr by any other form of payment the Board in the circumstances considers apprDpriate. 33. Where a perSDn is receiving Dr is entitled to receive a pensiDn because of the death 'Of a worker and subsequently becomes entitled to' a pension because Df the death Df another worker, that perSDn shall not receive bDth pensiDns but shall be paid the greater Df the tWD. 34.
(1) When a worker to' whom compensation is pay able leaves Alberta, 'he is not thereafter entitled to receive compensatiDn until permissiDn tD reside or remain Dutside Alberta is granted by the Board.
(2) Notwithstanding sUbsection (1), if, in the 'Opinion of the Board, the disability resulting from the injury is likely tD be of a permanent nature and the Board SD directs, the wDrker is entitled to' the amDunt 'Of periDdical payments accruing due while a resident 'Outside Alberta if he prDves in such manner as may be prescribed by the BDard his identity and the continuance of the disability in respect Df which the periodical payments are payable. 35.
(1) Where, on the date of death Df a worker, a de pendant 'Of that wDrker is nDt a resident Df Canada, he is nDt entitled to cDmpensatiDn unless by the law of the place Dr cDuntry in which he resides the dependants 'Of a wDrker to whDm an accident happens in such place Dr cDuntry, if resident in Canada, wDuld be entitled to' cDmpensa'tiDn, and 21
33. Only one pension payable. 34. Permission to leave Alberta. 35. Dependant not restdent of Canada. 21
where such dependants would be entitled to compensation under such law, the compensation to which the non-resident dependant is entitled under this Act shall not be greater than the compensation payable ,in the like case under that law.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Board may award such compensation or sum in lieu of compensatiDn to any such non-resident dependant as is considered proper and may pay it 'Out of the Accident Fund. 30. If an injured worker persists in unsanitary or in jurious practices which tend to imperil Dr retard his re covery, or refuses to submit to such medical Dr surgical treatment as in the opinion 'Of the Board, based upon inde pendent expert medical or surgical adviee, ris reasonably essential to promote his recovery, the Board may, in its discretion, reduC'e or suspend the compensati'On of that worker. 22
36. Suspension of payment of compensation. 22
PART 4 AMOUNT OF CO'MPENSATION 37.
(1) Where an accident happens on or after January 1, 1974, and death results from the accident, the amount of the compensation paYaJbl'e shall be (
a) the sum of $500 to a dependent widow or widower as a contribution to the additional expense occa sioned consequent upon the death of the deceased worker; (
b) the necessary expenses of the burial, cremation or memorial service of the worker, not exceeding $450; (
c) where the death occurred away from the worker's usual place of residence and it seems to the Board that transportati'On of the body is desirable, the necessary expense, not 'exceeding $100, of (
i) transporting the body from the place of death (
A) to the usual place of residence of the worker, or (
B) if the usual place 'Of residence is outside Alberta, t'O the boundary of Alberta, and Oi) transporting the body to and from an embalmer for the purpose of embalming, and where a funeral coach is used for transporting the body, the expense of such transportation shall be computed at the rate of 35 C'ents per mile tra velled by the coach or at $10, whichever amount is the greater; (
d) a sum to a dependent widow or widower on behalf of the widow or widower and the children of the deceased worker, if any, equal to the amount of pens,ion that would have been received by the work er if his injury, rather than resulting in death, had resulted in permanent total disability.
(2) The compensation payable under subsection (1), clause (
d) shall continue to be paid until the dependent wid'OW or widower dies or remarries.
(3) In subsections (4) and (5), (a) "existing household" means any household where children 'entitled to compensation are maintained and taken care of by one or more foster-parents; (b) "foster-parent" includes a natural parent.
(4) Where the worker dies as the result 'Of an accident occurring on or after January 1, 1974 and leaves no depen dent widow or widower or the dependent widow or w,idoW'er subsequently dies and an~ suitable person acts as foster- 23
37. Compensation for death. 23
parent in keeping up the househ'Old and maintaining and taking care of the children entitled to compensation in a manner that the Board considers satisfactory, the foster parent while so .doing is entitled to receive compensation in the amount 'Of $225 per month together with an additional sum of $70 per month in respect of each child so maintained until the ·child has, subject ,to
section 39, attained the age of 18 years 'Or sooner died.
(5) Where the worker dies as the result of an accident occurring before or after January 1, 1974 leaving no depen dent widow or widower or the dependent widow or widower subsequently dies and the children are maintained by more than 'One of the persons referred to in subsection (4), the amount of $225 per month shall be divided proportionately among the persons acting as foster-parents to the respec tive children in accordance with the number of children maintained by each foster-parent and such amount shall continue payable without 'Change notwithstanding the ter mination of payment to any other foster-parent.
(6) Where a worker leaves no widow or widower or where a surviving widow or widower subsequently dies Dr is confined to a jail, pri,son or institution, the B'Oard may make from time to time such additional payments, not ex eeeding $50 monthly, to a dependent child under the age of 18 years or to a dependent invalid child as in the discretion of ,the Board appear necessary to adequately maintain and support such child.
(7) Where death results fr'Om the inj ury the Board may pay to, for or on behalf 'Of a dependent widow in necessitous circumstances because of illness, irrespective of the date of the accident that caused ,the death, such additional amount as the Board considers appropriate by reason of the illness.
(8) Where death results fr'Om the injury the B'Oard may pay to, for 'Or 'On behalf of a dependent child or a dependent invalid child, irrespective of the date 'Of the a'Ccident that caused the death, such additional amount in respect of ill ness as the Board considers appropriate by reas'On 'Of the illness. 38. If a dependent widow 'Or widower remarries, the payment t'O that pers'On shall thereuP'On eease but a lump sum terminati'On payment 'Of $2,700 shall be paid as s'Oon as may be convenient after the date 'Of the remarriage. 39.
(1) Where a dependent widow 'Or wid'Ower dies 'Or remarries the B'Oard shall, except where a dependent child is being maintained by a f'Oster-parent pursuant t'O
section 37, pay c'Ompensati'On t'O each dependent child at the rate 'Of $70 per m'Onth (
a) until the child attains the age 'Of 18 years 'Or s'O'Oner dies; (
b) in the case 'Of a dependent invalid child irrespective 'Of the age 'Of the 'child, as l'Ong as in the 'Opini'On 'Of the B'Oard it might reas'Onably be expected that the 24
38. Remarriage of widow or widower. 39. Payment to dependent children. 24
worker had he Hved would have continued to con tribute to the support of the child.
(2) Where a dependent child approaching the age of 18 years is attending an academie, technical or vocational school and is making progress satisfactory to the Board, the Board may, in its discretion, continue the payments of com pensation under subsection (1), s'ection 37, subsection (4) or
section 40, subsection (2) until such time as the depen dent child (
a) fails to make satisfactory progress at school, or (
b) ceases to attend school, 'Or (
c) attains the age of 25 years, or (
d) obta,ins a first degree or certificate in a post secondary course of educa'tion, whichever first occurs.
(3) Where a dependent child resumes attendance at school the Board may, in its discretion, resume payments of compensation under subsection (1) or
section 40, subsec tion (2) and the provisions of subsection (2) apply.
(4) Where a dependent child who .is continuing to re ceive payments under subsection (2) 'Or (3) attains the age of 25 years during a school year the Board may continue the payment of compensation until the end of the then current school year. 40.
(1) On and after January 1, 1974, a foster-parent or a dependent widow 'Or widower receiving compensation under any Workmen's CompensaUon Act of Alberta, where the date or time of the award under or because of which the compensation 'is payable or of the accident that occasioned the award is prior to that date, shall be granted an addition al payment of compensation sufficient to bring the monthly payment to the foster-parent or the dependent widow or widower up to the sum of $225 per month.
(2) On and after January 1, 1974, a dependent child !e ceiving compensation under any Workmen's Compensatwn Act of Alberta, where the date or ,time of the award under or because of which the compensation is payable or of the accident that occasioned the award is prior to that date, shall be granted an additional payment of compensation sufficient to bring the monthly payment to the dependent child up to the sum of $70 (
a) for a dependent child under the age of 18 years other than a dependent inval1id child, until the child at tains the age of 18 years or dies before attaining that age; 25
40. Additional compensation payments to widows and dependent children in receipt of compensation prior to the application of the new provisions contained in this Act. 25
(
b) to a dependent invalid child irrespective of the age of the child for as long as in the opinion of the Board it might reasonably be expected that the worker had he lived would have continued to con tribute to the support of the child.
(3) The cost of the additional amounts of compensation paid under this
section shall be paid Ito the Accident Fund out of the General Revenue Fund. 41.
(1) The cost in any year of all eapitalized awards arising out of the death 'Of a worker shall, irrespective of the year of occurrence of the accident, be apportioned in accordance with the regulations equally between all acci dents that are, in that year, established to the satisfaction of the Board to be accidents resulting in death and arlising out of and in the course of employm'ent and the amounts so apportioned to each accident shall be charged and dealt with as an award aris,ing out of that accident in the same manner as an award arising out of a fatal accident would have been charged and dealt with were it not for the pro visions of this subsection.
(2) The capital value of increases in monthly payments being made prior Ito January 1, 1974 to dependent widows and widowers and dependent children as authorized by sec tion 37, subsection (4) or
section 40 shall not be included in determining the cost of capitalized awards for the pur poses of subsection (1). 42.
(1) Where a permanent total disability results from the injury, the !compensation shall be a weekly payment equal to 75 per cent of the worker's average weekly earn ings computed in accordance with
section 47 or
section 49, subsection (1).
(2) Subject to
section 28, the compensation payable under this
section shall be payable only during the lifetime of the worker. 43.
(1) Where permanent partial disability results from the injury, the Board shall estimate the impairment of earning capacity from the nature and degree of dis ability by reason of the ,injury and shall award compensa tion accordingly based upon 75 per cent of the worker's average weekly earnings computed in accordance with sec tion 47 or
section 49, subsection (1) and the compensation, subject to
section 28, is payable during his lHetime.
(2) When considered just, the impairm'ent of earning capacity may be estimated from the nature of the injury having regard to the worker's fitness to continue the em- 26
41. Apportionment of awards. 42. Compensation for permanent total disability. 43. Compensation for permanent partial dislability. 26
ployment in which he was <injured or to adapt himself to some other suitable occupation.
(3) Where the impairm'ent of the earning capacity of the worker does not exceed 10 per -cent of his earning capacity, instead of making periodic payments the Board may, unless in its opinion it would not be to Ithe advantage of the worker to do so, direct that such lump sum as is considered to be the equivalent of the periodic payments shall be paid to the worker.
(4) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, the Board may, where a worker has been seriously and permanently disfigured about the face or head or otherwise permanently injured, recognize an impairment of earning capacity and may allow lump sums or periodical paym'ents or both, as compensation. 44.
(1) Where a worker who has been awarded compen sation becomes entitled to payment of temporary total com pensation by reason of any matter arising out of the accident in respect of which the compensation was paid and (
a) more than one year has elapsed from the date to which temporary total compensation was paid or the permanent disability award was made, and (
b) the paY1pents he would receive as temporary total compensation and any permanent disability com pensation are together less than 75 per cent of the worker's average weekly 'earnings computed in accordance with
section 47, the worker shall be paid temporary total compensation in such amount as together with any permanent disability compensation to which he may be entitled will bring his total weekly compensation to an amount equivalent to 75 per cent of his average weekly earnings computed in accordance with
section 47.
(2) In computing average weekly earnings for the pur pose of this section, the computations shall be based on the worker's present earnings or, if the worker is not presently employed, the provisions of
section 49, subsection (1) shall be deemed to apply. 45. Where temporary total disability results from the injury, the compensation shall be a periodic payment so long as the disability la.sts,calculated on a weekly basis equal to 75 per cent of the worker's average weekly earnings, com puted in accordance with the provisions of
section 47 or
section 49, subs'ection (1). 46. Where temporary partial disability results from the injury, the Board shall estimate the impairment of earning 27
44. Minimum compensation. 45. Compensation for temporary total disability. 46. Compensation for temporary partial disability. 27
capacity from the nature and degree of the disability by reason of the injury and award compensation accordingly based on 75 per cent of the worker's average weekly 'earn ings computed in accordance with the provisions of
section 47 or
section 49, subsection (1), but the compensation is payable only so long as the disability lasts. 47.
(1) Subject to the regulations, the average weekly earnings of a worker for the purpos'es of this Act shall be computed in such manner as is best calculated to give the rate per week at which the worker was being remunerated in industries to which the Act applies at the time of the accident, but not so as in any ,case ,to exC'eed $10,000 a year.
(2) Where in any case it seems more equitable to do so, the Board may award compensation having regard to the earnings of the worker inindustries to which ,the Act applies during the 12-month period preceding the date of the ac cident.
(3) Where, owing to the shortness of the time during which the worker was in the employment of his employer or the casual nature of his employment or the terms 'Of his employment, it is impracticable to compute the rate of re muneration, regard may be had to the average earnings as determined by the Board that were earned by a person in the same grade of employment for the previous 12 months.
(4) Where a learner suffer.s injury for which compensa tion would be payable under this Act, the amount of compen sation shall be computed upon the basis .of wages then paid to beginners in the trade 'Or business in which he is a learner.
(5) Where a worker is receiving compensation for a permanent or temporary disability, he shall not receive compensation for any further .or other disability in any amount that would result in him receiving in the aggregate c{)mpensation in excess of that payable for total disability.
(6) Where a worker has received a lump sum in lieu of the periodic payments that otherwise would have been pay able for a permaI].ent disaibility, he shall for the purposes of subsection (5) be deemed to be still in receipt of the periodic payments.
(7) Where the worker had entered into concurrent con tracts of s'ervice with two or more employers in indus!tries to which this Act applies by virtue of which he worked at one time for one such employer and at a different time for another such employer, his average weekly earnings shall be computed as if his earnings under all such contraC'ts were earnings in the employment of the employer for whom he was working at the time of the accident. 28
47. Computation of compensation. 28
(8) Where the employer has been accustomed to pay to the worker a sum to cover any special expenses incurred by him by the nature of the employment, the sum so paid shall not be reckoned as part of the earnings. 48.
(1) In this section, "institut,ion" means (
a) any educational institution for the administration of which the Minister of Advanced Education is responsible; (
b) a correctional institution under The Corrections Act,; (
c) a hospital designated as a facility under The M en tal Health Act, 1972.
(2) Where a person has been committed or admitted to an institution, and (
a) he is working inside or outside the institution in any industry to which this Act does not apply, or (
b) is participating in a work training or similar pro gram either inside or outside the institution, he shall, while so engaged, be considered to be a worker employed by the Government for the purposes of this Act.
(3) Where a person becomes entitled to 'Compensation under suibsection (2), the compensation payable to him shall, (
a) in the event of an injury in an industry to which this Act does not apply, be based on (
i) the usual rate of wages payable to a person with similar working experience outside an in stitution, or (ii) the rate of wages paid to him for the work, whichever lis the greater, or (
b) in the event of injury in a work training or similar program, be based on the usual apprenticeship rate in the trade in which he was training or partidpa ting which would be payable to an apprentice with similar working experience outside an institution, not exceeding in any case the maximum amount of compen sation fixed by this Act.
(4) If a person committed or admitted to an institution, a penitentiary or a place of confinement to which the Prisons and Reformatories Act (Canada) applies, is, or subsequently becomes, entitled to comp'ensation under this Act, the 'compensation otherwise payable to or in respect of the person may, in the discretion 'of the Board, be paid to the dependent spouse or other dependants of the person. 29
48. Computation for persons in institutions. 29
(1) The amount of compensation to which an in jured person is entitled for temporary total disability under the prov.isions of this Act shall not be less than the weekly equivalent of the amount payable under
section 50 or, where his average earnings are less than such weekly equiv alent, the amount of such earnings.
(2) The Board may, (
a) wherever it considers i,t adviswble, provide that the payments of compensation may be monthly or semi monthly instead of weekly, or (
b) where the worker 'Or dependant is not a resident of Alberta, or ceas'es to reside therein, fix the periods of payment or commute the compensati'On as it con siders proper.
(3) N'Otwithstanding subsection (2), if a worker 'Or de pendant who is entitled to compensation at the rate of $20 a month 'Or more fHes with the Board a request in writing that the compensation payable to him be paid semi-m'Onthly, the compensation payable to such worker or dependant shall thereafter be paid semi-monthly.
(4) For the purpose of ascer,taining the amount 'Of com pensation due, the amount may be computed on a daily basis.
(5) Where a worker or dependant is under the age of 18 years or is under any other legal disabHity, the compen sation to which he ,is enti,tled may be paid to him or be applied in such manner as the Board considers best for his advantage.
(6) Where the worker was at the date of the accident under 18 years of age, the compensation payable to such worker may, upon his atta1ining the age of 18 years, be paid on the basis of the earnings at the time 'Of the accident of workers of the age of over 18 years employed in an oceu pation similar to that in which the worker was employed at the time of the accident.
(7) Where a worker is incapaJble of end'Orsing his com pensation cheque, any compensation to which 'he is entitled may (
a) be paid to the wnr ker' s spouse, or (
b) be applied in such manner as the Board considers in the wnrker's best interest under the circum stances. 50. The amnunt 'Of cnmpensatinn tn which an injured persnn is entitled under this Act (
a) fnr permanent tntal disability shall nnt be less than $275 a mnnth, and 30
49. 'Minimum compensation for total disability. 50. Compen$tion for permanent total or partial disability. 30
(
b) for permanent partial disability, shall not be less than a proP'Ortionate monthly amount calculated according to the percentage of disability assessed. 51.
(1) In fixing the amount of compensation, regard shall be had to any payment, allowance or benefit that the worker will receive from his employer in respect of the peri'Od of his disability, including any pension, gratuity or other allowance provided wholly at the expense of the em ployer, and any sum deducted under this
section from the compensation otherwise payabJoe may be paid to the em ployer out of the Accident Fund.
(2) Where such payment, all'Owance or benefit has been charged against the worker for repayment to his employer, whether such worker is in receipt of a social allowance or otherwise, such payments of compensation as are made by the B'Oard to the empl'Oyer shall be credited by him to the account so charged. 52.
(1) The Board may, on the applkation of a worker, pay an allowance not exceeding $100 a year for the replace ment or repair of clothing worn 'Or damaged by reason of the wearing of an upper or lower limb prosthesis or appli ance supplied by the Board.
(2) The Board may, on ,the application of a worker, as sume the cost 'Of replacement or repair of any
article of his clothing destroyed or damaged as a result of an accident in respect of which he is entitled to compensation. 53.
(1) On and after January 1,1974, a person receiving compensation for permanent total or permanent partial dis ability under any Workmen's Compensat,ion Act of Alberta, irrespective of the date or time of the award under or be cause of which the 'Compensation is payable or of the acci dent that 'Occasioned the award, shall be granted an addi tional payment of compensation sufficient to bring the m'Onthly payment to him up to $275 for total disability and a proportionate amount thereof for partial disability cal culated acc'Ording to the percentage of disability assessed.
(2) The cost of the additional amounts of compensation paid under this
section shall be paid t~ the Accident Fund out of the General Revenue Fund. 54. The advisory 'Committee shall review annually the amount of all compensati'On payments being paid in respect of permanent disability and all compensation payments be ing paid to dependants and shall make their recommenda tions in respect thereof to the Minister. 31
51. Consideration of allowance or benefit from employer to worker. 52. Clothing allowance. 53. ,Additional compensation payments. 54. Annual review of pensions. 31
PART 5 MEDICAL AND 5URGI'CAL TREATMENT 55.
(1) Where, in the opinion of the Board, it is in the best interests of an injured worker, in order to cure and relieve him from the effects of the injury, to provide a special surgical operation or other special medi:cal treat ment, the Board has the right to provide such surgical operation or other special medical treatment.
(2) Where in the case of any claim for compensation the Board .is of the opinion that the injury would be alleviated to some extent by the supplying of any apparatus usually provided in such cases, it shall supply the apparatus to the worker, but any such action shall not affect in any way the payments made to the worker.
(3) To aid in getting injured workers back to work and to assist in l'essening or removing any handicap resulting from their injuries, the Board may take such measures and make such expenditures as it considers necessary and ex pedient.
(4) The Board shall provide for the repair, maintenance or renewal of any apparatus provided by the Board, whether the a;pparatus was provided before or after the commence ment of this Act, and that becomes in need of repair, main tenance or renewal by reason of accident or ordinary wear and tear and through no misconduct on the part of the worker, so long as the disability in respect of which such apparatus was supplied continues.
(5) The Board has authority to assume the expense of replacement and repair of dentures, eye-glasses, artificial eyes or limbs or hearing aids, broken or lost as a result of an accident arising out 'Of and in the course of the employ ment of the worker. 5>6.
(1) The Board, at the time of the injury and there after during the disahility, may furnish or provide for the injured worker such medical aid as lit considers reasonably necessary to diagnose, cure and give relief from the effects of the injury.
(2) All questi'Ons as to the necessity, ch~racter and suf ficiency of any medical aid furnished or to be furnished shall be determined by the Board. (3) 'Then the Board provides or is liable to pay for medical or 'Other remedial attention as provided in this
section the amount payable to any person .in respect of medical or other rem'edial attention or any attention shall be such as the Board shall direct, and no action lies against the Board for or lin respect of any amount greater than that 32
SSe Special surgical or medical treatment. S6. Medical aid. 32
fixed by it, nor in any event agains,t the injured worker, his employer or any other person in respect of such atten tion. ( 4) When the Board provides or is liable to pay for hospital services, the amount shall be at such rates as have been mutually agreed upon by the Board and the hospital authori,ty.
(5) Where a worker is rendered helpless through perma nent total disability, the Board in its discretion may provide such other treatment services or attendance as may be neces sary as a result of the injury.
(6) Where, under the direction 'Of the Board, a worker is undergoing examination 'Or treatment at a place other than that in which he resides, the Board may make to him on account of his subsistence a per diem allowance in ac cordance with the regulations.
(7) Where a w'Orker is disabled and is receiving home care which is, in the 'opinjon of the B'Oard, comparable in the circumstances to nursing home care, the Board may pay an allowance not to exceed the amount payable for nursing home care.
(8) The Board may (
a) contract wHh doctors, nurses and hospitals or any 'Other institutions for any medical aid required, or (
b) with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, construct, equip, maintain and operate one or more hospitals at one or more points in Alberta as, in the 'Opinion of the Board, are necessary or advisable for the purpose of providing medical aid, or (
c) with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, construct, equip, maintain and operate clinics or residence facilities for the treatment and rehabilitation of injured workers.
(9) Upon the establishment of a hospital or clinic under the authority of subsection (8), the Board may extend the services of the hospital or clinic to persons other than those entitled to' medical aid under the provisions of this Act, to such extent and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit. (10) """'ithout in any way limiting the power of the Board under ,this
section to supervise and provide remedial aid, in every case where the Board is of the opinion that the .exer cise of that power is expedient, the Board may permIt the inj ured w'Or ker to select any physician he desires.
(11) Every employer shall, at his own expense, furnish to any worker ,injured in his employment who is in need of it, immediate conveyance and transportation 33
(
a) to a hospital, or (
b) to a physician, or (
e) to the worker~s home, or (
d) to such other place as, in the opinion of the Board, the condition of the worker requires him to be sent, and if the employer fails to pay for the conveyance and transportation, the Board may pay for it and the employer is liable to pay to the Board the amount so paid and the repayment of the amount may be enforced in the same manner as the payment of an assessment may be enforced.
(12) Accounts for medical s'ervices or other forms of medical aid rendered to, for or in respect of injured workers for which the Board is liable to pay, shall be rendered to the Board in accordance wi,th the regulations.
(13) Where any employer has establ1ished or hereafter establishes in connection with any industry carried on by him an arrangement for furnishing medical aid exclusively to his workers that, in the opinion of the Board, is at least as favourable to the worker as that provided for in this Act, the Board after investigating the facts and considering the wishes of both the workers and employer may approve such arrangement. 34
PART 6 SRICOSIS 57.
(1) In this Part, "silicosis" means a fibrotic condi tion of the lungs, caused by dust containing silica and evidenced by specific x-ray appearances, a'ccompanied by a lessened capacity for work.
(2) Nothing in this Act 'enrbitles a worker or his depen dants to compensation, medical aid or payment of burial expenses for disability or death from silicosis unless in the opinion 'Of the Board the worker has been exposed to silica dust in his employment in Alberta for periods amounting in all to at least 450 work shifts preceding his. disablement or such other criterion as the Board may fix for the purpose of implementing any agreement under subs'ecti'On (6).
(3) In any case of silicosis, the limitations as to time contained in
section 16, subsections (8) to (11) do not apply.
(4) The provisions of subsection (2) d'O not prevent al lowance by the Board of any claim due to silicos,is that the Board considers is entirely due to employment in Alberta.
(5) For the purlpose 'Of dealing with any claim due to silicosis where the disablement first arose prior to March 31, 1948,
section 42, subsection (6) of The Workmen's Com pensation Act, being
chapter 4 of the Statutes of Alberta, 1943, shall be deemed to have included therein a clause as follows: " (
e) nothing in this subsection shall prevent the allow ance of any claim due to silicosis that the Board feels in justice should be allowed.".
(6) The Board may enter into an agreement either with the Government of Canada or with the appropriate author ity in any other province or territory of Canada providing for the sharing of the costs of silicosis claims in proportion to the exposure or estimated amount of 'exposure to silica dust encountered by the claimants in the provinces or ter ritories concerned.
(7) Payment out of the Accident Fund of moneys re quired to be paid pursuant to an agreement made under subsection (6) may be made ,to the Workmen's Compensa tion Board or to the Government 'Of Canada or to the person with whom such agreement has been made and all moneys received by the Board pursuant to any such agreement shall be pa:id by it into the Accident Fund. 58.
(1) The Board may require an employer in an in dustry in which exposure to siI.ica dust occurs to cause all or any workers 35
57. Silicosis. 58. Medical examination for silicosis. 35
(
a) within one month from the date of entering the employm'ent, and (
b) thereafter at such intervals as the Board may direct, to be examined by a medical practitioner registered under The Medical Profession Act selected by and at the expense of the employer.
(2) The Board shall prescribe the nature of the medical examination, which shall include an x-ray examination.
(3) The m'edical practitioner who examines a worker shall furnish to the Board the information and rec'Ord with respect to the examination.
(4) The Board may require an employer to employ only those workers who are found 'On the examination to be physically su1ted for employment in that industry.
PART 7 THE ACCIDENT FUND 59.
(1) A fund called the "Accident Fund" shall be provided by contributions to be made by all employers in the manner provided in this Act, and compensation pay wble in respect of accidents and the c'Osts of administration shall be paid out of the Acddent Fund.
(2) The Accident Fund heretofore mainta,ined under The Worktne.n's Compensation Act, being
chapter 397 of the Revised Statutes of Alberta 1970 shall be incorp'Orated into and form part of the Accident Fund referred to in subsection (1).
(3) Where at any time there is not sufficient money available in the Accident Fund for payment of the com pensation that has become due, the Lieutenant Governor in Council may direct ,that the compensation be advanced out of the General Revenue Fund, and in that case the amount advanced shall be repaid to the Provincial Treas urer after the next assessment. HO.
(1) Separate experience accounts shall be main tained of assessments levied and costs of claims chargeable in respect of each employer, but for the purpose of paying compensation the Aecident Fund is one indivisible fund.
(2) Where it appears to the satisfaction of the Board that a worker has been injured or killed owing to the negligence of another employer or his worker, the Board may direct that the costs of the claim shall be included in the experience account of that employer and, where the employers are in different classes, charged to the class in which that employer is included in the same manner as if those costs had been expended in respect of a worker of that employer, except that where it appears to the satis faction of the Board that the injury to or death of the worker is due to the negligence of two or more persons, one of whom may he the worker, the Board may direct (
a) that the costs of the claim shall be so included and charged in the experience accounts and classes of the employers who, 'Or whose workers, were negli gent in proportion to the degree of negligence of 'each person involved, or (
b) where the Board is of the opinion that it cannot establish different degrees of negligence, that the costs of the claim be included and charged in the same manner in the experience accounts and classes of the employers involved in equal propor tions.
(3) Costs of claims chargeable to an employer shall in clude ,the capital cost of pensions awarded as well as 37
59. Formation of Accident Fund. 60. Separate experience accounts for each employer. 37
amounts expended in connection with compensation and n1edical aid. 61.
(1) The Prov,indal Treasurer may, on behalf of the Board, from time to Itim'e invest any funds arising under any provisions of this Act or under the 00ntrol of the Board, in any securities authorized by The Financial Ad ministration Act, and may sell and dispose of any such securities and reinvest the proceeds of such sale in secu rities.
(2) The Board may borrow by way of overdraft from a chartered bank or treasury branch. 62.
(1) The accounts of the Board shall be audited by the Provincial Auditor.
(2) The Board shall, 'On or before the 31st day of May in each year, make a report to ,the Lieutenant Governor in Council of its bus1iness and affairs during the next preced ing calendar year.
(3) Every such report shall be forthwith laid by the JVlinister before the Legislative Assembly if it is then in session, and if it lis not ,then ,in session, within 15 days after the opening of the next sessi'On.
(4) The Board shall have an actuarial evaluation of its pension accounts made every five years or in such lesser period as the Lieutenant Governor in Council may direct, by an independent duly qualified actuary whose report shall be made to the Board and laid before the Legislature in the same manner as an annual report under sub section (3). 38
61. Investment of Board funds. 62. Audit and annual reports. 38
PART 8 ASSESSMENTS -63.
(1) The Board may divide any industry into one or more classes and any class into one or more subclasses.
(2) In aocordance with and for the purposes specified in the regulati'Ons the Board shall from time to time assess and levy upon the employers such perC'entage of the payroll or other rate, or such spe0ific sum as, allowing for any surplus or deficit in the class, the Board may require.
(3) The Board may establish such subclassifications, differentials and proporti'Ons in the rates as between the different kinds of employment in the same class as the Board considers proper, and where any particular industry is shown to be so circumstanced or conducted that the hazard is greater than the average of the class or sub class to which the industry is assigned, the Board may im pose upon the industry a special rate, differential or assessment to correspond with the excessive hazard of such industry. '64.
(1) Assessments may be made lin such manner and form and by such procedure as the Board considers to be adequat'e and expedient and may be general as wpplicable to any class 'Or subclass or special as applicable to any industry or part or department of an industry.
(2) Payments on account of their respective assessments shall in the firslt .instance be made by employers in amounts determinwble by and based upon the 'estimates (
a) furnished by them respectively under
section 67, or (
b) made by the Board under
section 69, or such payments shall be made otherwise, as the Board may direct.
(3) Where the assessment is based upon the payroll of the employer and the payroll shows in anyone year earn ings in respect of any worker in excess of $10,000 for that year, every such exC'ess shall be deducted from the amount of the payroll before it ,is used as a basis for assessment.
(4) It is not necessary that assessments upon employers in a class or subclass be uniform, but they may be fixed, graded or varied by the Board in relation Ito the hazard or other circumstances of the operati'Ons of the employer.
(5) Where publication of a notice containing a state m'ent of percentages and rates determined and fixed by the Board and of the industries to which they respectively apply is made in The Alberta Gazette, such publication constitutes an assessment upon, and notice thereof to, each 39
63. Assessment and levies upon employers. 64. Assessment procedure. 39
employer in an industry named in the notice for the year or other period named therein, computed on the payroll of such employer at the percentage or rate set out in the notice as applicable to such industry.
(6) Publicati'On of any percentage or rate as provided in subsection (5) does not in any way limit the right of the Board to increase or decrease the same from time to time, so long as n'Otice of the increase or decrease is also published in The Alberta Gazette, and upon such publica tion the increased or decreased percentage Dr rate has effect in the same manner and to the same extent as if it had been the percentage or rate originally fixed by the Board.
(7) All assessments made under this .Act shall be due on the first day of January in the year in which they are made, but the Board may direct payment of ass'essments at such time or times by instalments 'Or otherwise as the Board thinks fit.
(8) Unless satisfactory evidence of an employer's actual payroll for any period is submitted to or 'Obtained by the Board, the payroll estimated by the employer under
section 67 or by the Board under
section 69, as the case may be, shall for all vurposes under this Act he deemed to be the actual payroll of the employer.
(9) Upon the exemption of any industry from the appli cation of this Act, the employers therein are liable to pay and shall pay toO the Board the appropriate assessment in respect of such industry, in accordance with the rate 'Of assessment applicaJble thereto, for the portion of the then current year during which the Act was applicable to the industry or otherwise as the Board may require.
(10) N 'Otwithstanding any provisi.on of this Act re specting notice to employers, payrolls or estimates of pay rolls, employers are liable to pay to the Board, with or with out demand or notice from the B'Oard, the full amount of every assessment assessed against them under the pro visions of this Act.
(11) Every employer shall pay into the Accident Fund the assessments made by the Board, and if any assessment or any part thereof is not fully paid in accordance with the terms of the assessment, the Board has a cause of action against the empl'Oyer in respect .of any amount un paid, and is entitled to the costs of the action.
(12) If an assessment or a special ass'essment is not paid at the time when it becomes payable, the defaulting employer is Hable to pay and shall pay as a penalty for his default such percentage upon the amount unpaid as may be prescribed by the regulati.ons .or may be determined by the Board. 40
(13) Where, in his statement to the Board of the amount or estimated amount he will expend for wages for or dur ing the then current year, an employer understates or underestimates the same, he is liable to pay and shall pay as a penalty for such underestimate, such percentage upon the amount thereof as the Board may detern1ine in accord ance with the regulations.
(14) A system of merit credits and super-assessments may, in the discretion of the Board, be adopted.
(15) The amount of a super-assessment shall not exceed 331/3 per cent of the ordinary assessment.
(16) Where, in the opinion of the Board, the ways, works, machinery and appliances in any industry conform to modern standards in such manner as to reduce the hazard of accidents to a minimum, and the Board is convinced that all proper precautions are being taken by the employer f'0r the prevention of accidents, and where the accident record of the employer has in fact been consistently good, the Board may reduce the amount of any contribution to the Accident Fund for which the employer is liable.
(17) Where in the opinion of the Board (
a) sufficient precautions are not taken for the preven tion of accidents to workers in the employment of any employer, or (
b) the working conditions are not safe or the first aid requirements required by the Act or regulations have not been complied with, the Board may assess and levy against the employer such an amount in addition to the other assessments authorized by this Act as the Board considers just and may exercise such power as often as is appropriate in the opinion of the Board. '65.
(1) No assessment of less than $25 shall be levied in respect of any industry to which this Act applies.
(2) Where the worker or any group of workers of any employer employs a worker as a checkweigher, checker or otherwise, the employer shall pay to the Board an amount sufficient to pay the assessment in respect of the worker so en1ployed and may deduct such amount from the wages of the worker or group of workers who employed him. 66.
(1) Where (
a) an employer engaged in an industry to which this Act applies directs a worker who is working in that industry to do 'Other work that is not in an industry to which this Act applies, and 41
65. Minimum assessment levy. 66. Engagement in work not under Act. 41
(
b) the worker is injured in the course of that other work, that other work shall be deemed to be in the industry of the employer to which this Aot applies and the employer shall pay to the Board in respect of that other work an additional assessment equal to the full cost of the claim in respect of the injury up to a maximum of $100.
(2) Any person who has control and direction of a worker and who directs him to do other work as mentioned in subsection (1) shall be deemed to have given the direc tion on behalf of the employer. G7'.
(1) Every employer shall, not later than J a:c.ual'y 20 in each year or at such other time or times as may be required by the Board, prepare and transmit to the Board a statement of wages earned in the past year and estimated wages payable in the current year.
(2) Every person rendering service to a corporation, wherever and however incorporated or constituted, under a contract of service written or oral, express or implied, whether that person is or is not a member, officer or ex ecutive of the corporation, and whether or not the cor poration is or is not under legal obligation to pay such person any wages, salary or other remuneration, shall be deemed to be a worker employed by the corporation and shall be included upon the payroll thereof, and in every such case, where the person is not being paid any wages or salary, or is being paid a merely nominal or token re muneration, the Board shall, for the purposes of assess ment, fix such sum as in its opinion represents a reasonable wage or salary for the service rendered by the person, having regard to the nature of the employment, but not in any case exceeding in anyone year the sum of $10,000 and the Board shall for the purpose of its assessment add the sum so fixed by i,t to the amount of the payroll of the corporation.
(3) Within three days after the granting of any building permit involving an expenditure of over $300 by any city, town, village, municipal district, county or the Minister of Municipal Affairs, notice in writing thereof shall be given to the Board by the person whose duty it is to keep a record of such permits.
(4) A person who contravenes subsection (3) is guilty of an offence and liable on
summary conviction to a fine of not more than $25 and on default 'Of payment to im prisonment for a term not exceeding three days.
(5) Any work done or performed under and subsequent to the issue of a building permit referred to in subsection (3) is hereby constituted an employment to which this Act wpplies and the employment by the permit holder of 42
67. Statement of wages earned and of estimated future wages. 42
any worker in or in connection with such work constitutes him an employer within the meaning of this Act and he is subject to all the provisions thereof. 68.
(1) Every employer shall keep within Alberta in such form and with such detail as may be required for the purposes of this Act, a careful and accurate account of all wages and earnings of his workers and of such other features and particulars of his operations as the Board may require.
(2) Any person who, in the opinion of the Board, might be an employer under the provisions of this Act, shall on request of the Board at any time furnish and deliver to the Board a statement signed by him giving full particulars of the nature of the different classes of work carried on and such particulars as may be required by the Board con cerning his payroll or other matters pertaining to his busi ness or industry.
(3) Where the business of the employer embraces more than one branch of business or class of industry, the Board may require separate statements to be made as to each branch or class of industry and such statements shall be made, verified and transmitted as required by the Board.
(4) The Board and any officer of the Board or other person authorized by it for the purpose has, for any pur pose that the Board considers necessary for its administra tion of this Act, the right at all reasonable hours to enter into every part of the establishment and the premises con nected with the establishment of any employer or any other person who, in the opinion of the Board, is or might he an employer. ( 5) The Board and any member of it and any officer of the Board or person authorized by it for that purpose, has the right to examine the books and accounts of 'every em ployer, and ·to make such other inquiry as the Board con siders necessary, for the purpose of ascertaining (
a) whether any statement furnished to the Board under any of the provisions of this Act is an accur ate statement of the matters that are required to be stated therein, or (
b) the amount of the payroll, or (
c) whether the Act applies to any industry or person.
(6) For the purpose of any examination or inquiry, the Board or person authorized to make the examination or inquiry may give to the employer or his agent notice in writing requiring him to bring and produce before the Board or person, at a place and time to be mentioned in the notice, which time shall be at least 10 days after the giving 43
68. Employers' records. 43
of the notice, all documents, writings, books, deeds and papers in the possession, custody or power of the employer and in any way relating to or concerning the subject matter of the examination or inquiry referred to in the notiee.
(7) Every employer and every agent of the employer named in and served with any such notice shall produce at the time and place required all such documents, writings, books, deeds and papers according to the notice.
(8) For the purpose of any such examination or inquiry the Board and any person so authorized by it has all the powers of a commissioner appointed under The Public In quiries Act.
(9) Every member of the Board and every officer or person authorized by it to make an examination or inquiry under this
section has power and authority to require and to take affidavits, affirmations or declarations as to any matter with which the examination or inquiry is concerned.
(10) An employer or other person who obstructs or hinders the making of an examination or inquiry under this
section or who refuses to permit it to be made or who neglects or refuses to produce any documents, writings, books, deeds or papers at the time and place stated in the notice mentioned in subsection (6) ,is guilty of an off'ence.
(11) If a statement is found to be incorrect, the assess ment shall be made on the true amount of the payroll or other basis of ass'essment as the Board may require, as ascertained by the examination or inquiry, or if an assess ment has been made against an employer on the basis of his payroll or other basis of assessment as shown by the statement, the employer shall pay to the Board the differ ence between the amount for which he was assessed and the amount for which he should have been assessed.
(12) No memher or officer of the Board and no person authorized to make an examination or inquiry under this Act shall divulge or allow Ito be divulged, except in the per formance of his duties or under authority of the Board, any information obtained by him or that has come to his know ledge in making or in connection with an examination or inquiry under this Act.
(13) No member or officer or employee of the Board shall divulge information respecting the business of an em ployer or a worker obtained by him in his capacity as such member or officer or employee unless it :is divulged under the authority of the Board to the persons directly concerned or to agencies or departments of the Government of Canada or of the Government of any province.
(14) Every person who contravenes subsection (12) or (13) is guilty of an offence. 44
-69.
(1) If an employer does not make and transmit to the Board the prescribed statement within the prescribed time, or if such statement lin the opinion of the Board does not represent the probable amount of the payroll or other basis of assessment of the employer, the Board may, in ad dition to any other remedy provided by this Act, base any assessment or supplementary assessment thereafter made upon him on such sum as in its opinion is the probable amount of the payroll or other basis of assessment of the employer, and the employer is bound thereby.
(2) If it is afterwards ascertained that such amount is less than the actual amount of the payroll or other basis of assessment, the employer is liable to pay to the Board the difference between the amount for which he was assessed and the amount for which he should have been assessed on the basis of his payroll or other basis of assessment.
(3) Whenever an employer fails to furnish to the Board within the prescribed time a statem'ent of wages, whether estimated or actual, as required by any provision of this Act or the regulations, he is liable to pay and shall pay as a penalty for such default such percentage upon the amount of his assessment as the Board may determine in accordance with the regulations. 70.
If for any reason an employer liable to assessment is not assessed, he is nevertheless liable to pay to the Board the amount for which he should have been assessed, and pay ment of that amount may be enfor'ced in the same manner as the payment of an assessment may be enforced. 7:1. Notwithstanding that the deficiency arising from a defauU in the payment of the whole or part of any assess ment has been made up by a special assessment, the default ing employer continues liable to pay to the Board the amount of every assessment made upon him or so much of it as remains unpaid. 72.
(1) When any industry to which this Act applies is established, commenced or recommenced, the employer shall within 10 days notify the Board of the fact and furnish to the Board an estimate of the probable amount of his payroll for the remainder of the year or such other information as the Board may require.
(2) The estimate and information referred to in sub section (1) shall be verified as the Board may direct.
(3) The employer shall pay to the Board a sum equal to that for which he would have been liable if his industry had Ibeen established or commenced before the last assess ment was made or so much thereof as the Board considers reasonable. 45
69. Basis of assessment where statement not duly furnished. 70. Liability of employer not assessed. 71. Continuing liability to assessment. 72. Duty and liability of employer commencing or recommenc ing an industry, 45
(4) The Board has the like powers and is entitled to the like remedies for enforcing payment of the sum payable by the employer under subsection (1) as it poss'esses or is en titled to in respect of assessments. 73.
(1) The Board may at any time require an employer to furnish to it security in such amount as in the opinion of the Board is sufficient to provide for the assessments tha t are or might be levied against him by the Board for or in respect of the then current year.
(2) Within 15 days after service upon him of notice of such requirement, the em1ployer shall deposit with the Board s'ecurity, in the amount and of the kind stated in the notice, for the payment of the assessments levied or to be levied against him by the BDard for or during the then current year.
(3) Where it app'ears to the Board at any time that the amount of the security furnished by an employer has become inadequate by reason of an increase in the number of work ers 'employed by the employer, the Board may require the employer to depDsit with it additional security and may prescribe the amount thereof, and the emplDyer within 15 days after notice to him 'Of the r,equirements shall deposit with the Board additional security in the amount and of the kind stated in the notice. ( 4) The security shall consist 'Of cash or a guarantee bond of an insurance company authorized to carry 'On the business of guarantee insurance in Alberta or such market able bonds Dr securities as are acceptable to the Board.
(5) If default is made in the payment of any assessment that is payable to the Board by such employer and is levied in the period for which the security is given, the Board may proceed to realize upon any or all of the securities deposited with it under the provisions of this section, and may take such proceedings and do all such acts and things as it con siders necessary, having regard to the nature of the security, to realize upon it.
(6) The proceeds so realized shall be applied by the Board (
a) in payment 'Of the liability of the employer to the Board, (
b) in payment of the costs and expenses of the Board in realizing upon the securities, and (
c) in payment of the balance, if any, to the persons legally entitled thereto.
(7) If default is made by the em1ployer in furnishing any security that he is required to furnish under this sec tion, or if default is made in the payment of any assessments due to the Board by the employer, then and in each such 46
73. Security for payment of assessment. 46
case the Board may order the employer to cease to employ workers until such time as the Board determines by subse quent order, and notice of such orders shall be given to the employer.
(8) Every employer wh'O, after being served with an order, continues to employ workers is guilty of an offence and liable on
summary conviction to a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $100 a day for each day that his failure or default continues, and in default 'Of payment to imprison ment for a term not exceeding six months. 74.
(1) Where any work is perf'Ormed by a contractor for any person (in this
section called the "principal"), (
a) both the principal and the contractor are liable for the amount of any assessment relating to that work, and (
b) the assessment may, in the discretion of the Board, be collected from either of them, or partly from one and partly from the other, but in ,the absence of any term in the contract to the con trary, the contractor is as between himself and the principal, liable for the amount of the assessment.
(2) Where any work ~s performed under a subcontract, (
a) the principal, the contractor and the subcontractor are each liable for the amount of any assessment relating to that w'Ork, and (
b) the assessment may, in the discretion of the Board, be collected from any of them or partly from one and partly from the 'Other or others, but in the absence of any term in the subcontract to the contrary, the subcontractor is as between himself and the others, liable for the amount of the assessment.
(3) A principal may withhold from any moneys payable to a contractor the amount which the principal is liable to pay under this
section and pay that amount to the Board, and as between the principal, the contractor and the sub contractor the payment shall be deemed to be a payment on the contract or subcontract or both, as the nature of the payment requires.
(4) A contractor may withhold from any moneys pay able to a subcontractor the amount which the contractor is liable to pay with respect to the subcontractor under this
section and pay that amount to the Board, and as between the contractor and the subcontractor the payment shall be deemed to be a payment on the subcontract. 47
74. Liability to assessment. 47
75. Assessments may, wherever the Board considers it expedient, be collected in half-yearly, quarterly or monthly instalments or at any other times, and where it appears that the funds in any class are sufficient for the time being, any instalment may be abated or its collection deferred. 76. EmplDyers to whom this Act applies are liable for payment of contriibutions to the Accident Fund required by the Act. 77.
(1) The Board may require any employer who re fuses or neglects to make or transmit any payroll, return or other statement required to be furnished by him under any 'Of the provisiDns 'Of this Act or any regulation or order made hereunder, or who refuses or neglects to pay any assessment or the provisional amount of any assessment or any instalment or part thereof, in additiDn to any penalty Dr other liability to which he may be subject, to pay to the Board a sum of money, not exceeding one-half of the amount 'Of the cDmpensation payable and not exceeding in any case $500 in respect of any accident to a worker in his employ that happens during the period 'Of the default, and the pay ment of the amount may be enforced in the same manner as the payment of an assessment may be enforced.
(2) Where any employer makes default in the payment of an assessment and an executiDn, issued upDn a judgment entered Dr certifkate filed under
section 78 with respect to the assessment, is returned with a certificate from a sheriff or his deputy that he was unable to wholly satisfy the execution, and where the judgment debtor continues to carry on an industry to which this Act applies in which workers are employed, any judge of the Supreme Court, upon an application made on behalf of the Board by way of origina ting notice of motiDn may, without the issue 'Of any writ or the commencement of any action, restrain the judgment debtor from carrying on any industry to which this Act applies until the amount due on the executiDn for all assess ments made by the Board together with the costs of the application are paid. 78.
(1) Where default is made in the payment of all or any part of an assessment or special assessment or any other moneys due to the Board, the Board may issue its certificate setting out the basis of the 'payment tD be made, the amount remaining unpaid and the person by whom it is payable, and directing the payment of the amount by that person.
(2) The certificate, or a copy of it certified by the sec retary under the seal of the BDard to be a true copy, may be filed with the clerk of the Supreme Court or the clerk of 48
75. Collection of assessments by instalments. 76. Liability of employers. 77. Additional penalty for defaults by employer. 78. Enforcement of payment of assessment. 48
the district court in any judicial district and when so filed it becomes an order of the court and may be enforced as a judgment of the court.
(3) The Board has the like power and is entitled to the like remedies to enforce payment of any sum that any em ployer, worker or other person 'is required to pay to the Board under any of the provisions of this Act as it possesses or is entitled to in respect of assessments.
(4) Notwithstanding anything in any other Act, the amount due to the Board by an employer upon any assess ment made under this Act or in respect of any amount that the employer is required to pay to the Board under any of its provisions or upon any judgment for that assessment or amount, (
a) is a charge upon the property or proceeds of prop erty of the employer, including moneys payable to, for or on account of the employer, within Alberta, and (
b) has priority over all assignments by way of security, debts, liens, charges, mortgages or other encum brances whatsoever, whenever created or to be created, except wages due to workers by their employer in cases where the ex·ercise of the priority would deprive the workers of their wages.
(5) A copy of the certificate, certified by the secretary of the Board to be a true copy, may be filed in the land titles office for the district in which the real property is situated and any real property of the employer is bound by the as sessment, to the same extent as by a registered judgment 'Or mortgage, from the date of the filing, and any judgment entered with respect to the certificate binds the property from the date of the filing in the land titles office.
(6) In the event of the sale of any business or any in dustry to which this Act applies or of the stock or equipment in bulk used in connection with any such business or in dustry, it is the duty of the purchaser, before paying any part of the purchase price or giving the vendor any security therefor, to demand and secure from the vendor, and it is the duty of the vendor to furnish to the purchaser, a certifi cate by the Board that it has no claim in respect of the bus,iness or industry or stock or equipment in bulk,
(7) If the vendor has not furnished such certificate, the purchaser of the business or industry 'or stock or equipment is liable to the Board in and indebted to it for a sum equal to the moneys due to it by the vendor. 79.
(1) Except in the matter of retail sales by regularly esta;blished retail dealers 'in the ordinary course of their business, it is the duty of each pur-chaser of lumber, before 49
79. Purchasers of lumber. 49
paying to the vendor the purchase price 'Or any part thereof or giving him any security therefQr, to demand and receive from the vendor, and it is the duty of the vendor to furnish to the purchaser, a certificate by the Board that it has no claim in respect of such lumber for assessment 'Or otherwise.
(2) If the vendor has not furnished the certificate, the purchaser 'Of the lumber is indebted to the Board for a sum equal to the moneys due by the producer 'Or vendor 'Of the lumber to the Board, up to but not exceeding (except as provided in subsection (3)) such proportion .of the Board's assessment against the producer 'Or vendor as the Board may consider applicable in respect of the lumber.
(3) The purchaser is liable to the Board and indebted to it in such further amount per 1,000 feet board measure of the lumber so purchased as the Board by written notice to the purchaser may stipulate and require.
(4) Purchasers of lumber tQ whom this
section applies shall keep in such form and with such detail as the Board may require, 'careful and accurate accounts .of all lumber purchased by them, and when so required shall submit such accounts fQr examinatiQn by the Board or any duly author ized officer of the Board.
(5) Moneys payable to the Board by a purchaser of lum ber under the provisions of this
section may be paid out of the purchase price of the lumber, and such payment con stitutes a payment to the vendor on account of the purchase price of the lumber so purchased.
(6) Any person who, pursuant to the provisions of this section, deducts .or withholds any payment that he is ob liged to make to any pers'On shall be deemed to hold the amount so deducted or withheld in trust for the Board and the amount is payable to the Board nQt later than the last day .of the month following the m'Onth in which the lumber is purchased and may be collected from the purchaser by the Board as if it were an assessment levied against the purchaser. 80.
(1) If any person fails to pay all or any part of an assessment or any other moneys that he is liable to pay within the time pr'Ovided for such payment, the secretary may by himself or his agent .or iby a sheriff, deputy sheriff or assistant sheriff collect the same with costs by distress of the goods and chattels of such person, and the costs chargeable shall be the same as those allowed under The Seizures Act.
(2) In order to effect the seizure of any goods or chattels under the power herein contained, the person duly author ized to effect the seizure shall serve a notice of seizure 50
80. Collection of assessment by distress. 50
upon the debtor, and if there is more than one debtor upon each of them, or upon some adult member 'Of the debtor's household, or shall atta,ch it to the go.ods to be seized or some or all of them, .or shall put it up in some conspicuous place on the premises upon which the goods or some part of them are at the time of seizure.
(3) For the purpose of effecting the seizure of any goods and chattels authorized by any distress warrant under the provisions of this section, or of obtaining the possession of any goods that have been previously seized, the secretary or his agent or other person lawfully charged with the ex~ ecution of such distress warrant, (
a) has the right to go upon any lands or premises on which any goods and chattels subject to distress hereunder are situated, and to seize, sell or remove the same as he requires, and (
b) may, if it ,is not possible otherwise to 'effect the seizure or obtain possession of the goods previously seized, as the case may be,either by himself or with the assistance of such persons as he may request, break open the door or doors of any building, other than a private dwelling house, in which any goods and chattels liable to seizure are contained, and upon the order of a judge may similarly break open the door or doors of a private dwelling house. ( 4) Any seizure made pursuant to this secti.on shall be a continuing se1izure until such time as the secr,etary by notice in writing releases the seizure or until the goods or property under seizure have been sold.
(5) The secretary or his agent or other person lawfully charged with ,the execution .of the distress warrant may sell by public auction in accordance with the regulations the goods and chattels distrained or so much thereof as is necessary to pay the moneys due with all lawful costs.
(6) If any goods taken under any of the powers of this
section 'have been off.ered f.or sale and remain unsold, the secretary or his duly authorized agent or .other person as aforesaid may sell the goods by private contract, either to the Board or any other pers.on, if the prke offered for such go.ods is in the opinion of the secretary or agent a fair and reasonable price having regard to all the circumstances.
(7) Upon the sale by the sheriff, or other person lawfully charged with the execution of the distress warrant, of any goods pursuant to any distress, the sale shall be without warranty of title and the purchaser, upon pa~ing the pur~ chase price, acquires in the goods so sold the precise interest that may lawfully be sold under power of distress and no more. 51
(8) If the property distrained has been sold for more than the amount of assessments due and costs, and if no claim to the surplus is made within six months from the date of the sale by any other person on the ground that the property sold ibelonged to him or that he was entitled by lien or other right to the sunplus, it shall be paid to the Iperson in whose possession the property was when the dis tress was made.
(9) If any claim to the surplus is contested, the surplus money shall be paid by the secretary or his agent or other person as aforesaid to the clerk or deputy clerk of the dis trict court of the judioial district within which the goods and chattels distrained are situated, who shall retain the surplus until the respective rights of the parties have been determined by action at law or otherwise.
(10) When, at the time a distress warrant issued by the Board under the provisions of this
section is placed in the hands of a shedff or deputy sheriff, goods and chattels of the person against whom the warrant is issued are already under seizure or distraint by the same sheriff or deputy sheriff, or are subsequently seized or distrained by him, under a distress warrant other than the Board's, the said goods and chattels shall, from the time of the placing of the Board's warrant in the hands of the sheriff or deputy sheriff or from the time the seizure or distraint is made, as the case may be, be deemed to have also been seized or dis trained upon by the sheriff or deputy sheriff under the Board's warrant.
(11) A distress warrant placed in the hands of the sheriff by the Board or its secretary, his agent or other person as aforesaid, constitutes the Board an execution creditor with in the meaning of
section 5 of The Execut,ion Creditors Act and Form A in the
Schedule thereto, for the amount claimed in the warrant, which amount shall be included and stated by the sheriff in any certificate or statement of subsisting executions made or issued by him under the provisions of The Execution Creditors Act.
(12) Subject to subsection (1), The Seizures Act does not apply to any proceedings under this section. 52
PART 9 GENERAL 8~.
(1) Where an employer ceases to be an employer wi thin the meaning of this Act he shall, wi thin 10 days thereafter, notify the Board by registered mail, and shall at the same time transmit a statement of the total amount of wages earned by all his workers for the portion of the then current year during which he has continued in business.
(2) No employer shall keep or have in his employment any worker unless the employer has complied with the pro visions of this Act, and where an employer is in default of payment of any assessment or part thereof or any other moneys due by him to the Board and default has continued for one month, the Board may order the employer to dis continue and thereafter refrain from employing any worker or workers, and the employer shall not thereafter employ any worker or workers until he pays to the Board all moneys due to it by him. 82.
(1) All books, returns, notices, reports, forms or other documents or papers and copies thereof required to be kept, posted or forwarded in accordance with the provi sions of this Act or regulations made hereunder, shall be in a form approved by the Board.
(2) Employers shall post and keep posted in a conspicu ous place upon the premises where th