Message from Guy Kerr

For all the people who work with me, for our clients, and for our business partners I am grateful to see closure to the harrowing event of October 21, 2009.

The Workers’ Compensation Board exists to help injured workers return to work safely following a workplace accident. Our system helps thousands of people every day, nearly two hundred thousand each year.

This help is extended through WCB’s committed and talented employees. These are ordinary people who do extraordinary work on behalf of Albertans injured or killed on the job. They work hard, contribute to their community and they deserve our respect.

Our clients – workers and employers – have a voice in the system. They can and do question decisions and have open access to a multi-layered decision review and appeal system. And for those workers who need a little help in questioning a decision, WCB provides it free of charge. It is important to us that Alberta’s workers’ compensation system is fair and works for all.

And it’s true; sometimes we cannot provide the help, service or payment one of our clients needs or wants. Sometimes we have to say “no.” However, when we do, we know we have tried to explore the alternatives first and there are checks and balances to ensure we have reached the right outcome.

On October 21, 2009, our client made a wrong choice and, through sentencing, the courts have confirmed that violence in the workplace will not be tolerated by Albertans.

All Albertans deserve to be safe at work.

We are grateful to all those who have expressed support, provided help and counsel, and have voiced their condemnation for an act of violence that hurt so many.

Our employees were distressed by this act of violence, yet most returned to work early the next day to try and catch up on their lost work – our clients count on that work. This incident did not deter our commitment to ensuring people are helped and as we move forward, our commitment remains strong. We are glad to again focus all our energy on helping Albertans return to work safely.

Guy Kerr
President and CEO

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Media contact:
Marcela Matthew
media.contact@wcb.ab.ca
780-717-5855
www.wcb.ab.ca