Minister charged with the administration of The Workers Compensation Act (Manitoba)
Since 1981, the Executive Council of Manitoba has included a Minister responsible for the Workers Compensation Act. The specific ministerial designation has changed several times. The current position is not a full cabinet portfolio, and has always been held by a minister with other cabinet responsibilities.
Most ministers responsible for the Workers Compensation Act have also been Ministers of Labour. The current minister is Nancy Allan, who is also the Minister of Labour and Immigration.
Assessments under the act are levied upon employers and gathered into a common fund out of which benefits are paid to workers who are injured as a result of their employment. Administration and adjudication are carried out by the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba.
Ministerial designation
- The position was established in 1981. In addition to holding other positions in cabinet, Jay Cowan was designated as Minister responsible for the Workers Compensation Act and Minister responsible for the Workplace Safety and Health Act.
- In 1983, both positions appear to have been incorporated into the new cabinet portfolio of Workplace Safety and Health. The first minister to hold this position was Gerard Lecuyer, who was also Minister of Environment.
- The Workplace Safety and Health portfolio was eliminated in 1991.
List of Ministers
| Name | Party | Took Office | Left Office | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jay Cowan (*) |
New Democratic Party | November 30, 1981 | November 4, 1983 | |
| Gerard Lecuyer (**) |
New Democratic Party | November 4, 1983 | May 9, 1988 | |
| Harry Harapiak (***) |
New Democratic Party | February 4, 1987 | May 9, 1988 | |
| Edward Connery (+) |
Progressive Conservative | May 9, 1988 | February 5, 1991 | |
| Gerrie Hammond (++) |
Progressive Conservative | April 21, 1989 | February 5, 1991 | |
| Darren Praznik (+++) |
Progressive Conservative | February 5, 1991 | May 9, 1995 | |
| Vic Toews |
Progressive Conservative | May 9, 1995 | January 6, 1997 | |
| Harold Gilleshammer |
Progressive Conservative | January 6, 1997 | February 5, 1999 | |
| Mike Radcliffe |
Progressive Conservative | February 5, 1999 | October 5, 1999 | |
| Becky Barrett |
New Democratic Party | October 5, 1999 | June 25, 2003 | |
| Steve Ashton |
New Democratic Party | June 25, 2003 | November 4, 2003 | |
| Nancy Allan |
New Democratic Party | November 4, 2003 | present |
- (*) Cowan was designated as the Minister responsible for the Workers Compensation Act and Minister responsible for the Workplace Safety and Health Act.
- (**) Lecuyer was designated as the Minister of Workplace Safety and Health.
- (***) Harapiak was designated as the Minister responsible the Workers Compensation Act (except at it relates to Worker Advisers).
- (+) Connery was designated as Minister of Workplace Safety and Health and Minister responsible for the Workers Compensation Act (except as it relates to Worker Advisers).
- (++) Hammond was designated as Minister responsible for the Workers Compensation Act (as it relates to Worker Advisers). She did not seek re-election in the 1990 election, and it is not clear if she continued to hold the portfolio until February 1991.
- (+++) From 1991 to 1993, Praznik was designated as the Minister responsible for the Workers Compensation Act (as it relates to Worker Advisers).