This engagement is now closed.
It ran from 2017-06-05 to 2017-06-30.
Check below for where to find results.
A two-question survey was published on the YWCHSB website. Interested Yukoners could respond using a form on YWCHSB’s website, via email, or in print format.
- YWCHSB advertised the survey through the Yukon government staff newsletter, in newspaper and radio advertisements and online. YWCHSB’s regular stakeholder groups were directly invited to provide submissions. The consultation period ran from June 5 to June 30, 2017.
- 206 Yukon citizens and organizations responded to the survey.
- 194 responded to the on-line survey.
- 12 provided written submissions.
Question One
The Workers’ Compensation Act will be amended to provide a PTSD presumption for emergency response workers which will apply to firefighters, paramedics and police officers. Are there other occupations you think should be considered in the future and why?
- 76% of respondents—157 of 206—suggest applying the PTSD presumption to a broader group of occupations. The three occupations or occupational groups most suggested for inclusion were nurses, social workers and other social care staff, and corrections officers.
- Almost 16% of respondents suggested the presumption should apply to “all workers.”
- Three respondents felt that the proposed amendment should apply to the occupations currently included in the definition of “emergency response worker” (firefighters, paramedics and police officers).
Question Two
Would you support amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act to promote the development of regulations aimed at preventing mental injuries at work? What are the benefits and disadvantages of this approach?
- 69% of respondents support amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act) to promote the development of regulations aimed at preventing mental injuries at work.
- A few dominant themes emerged in support of amendments to promote prevention:
- Prevention is more effective than treatment. Many respondents believe that treating mental health conditions is difficult and costly. Preventing the development of disorders in the workplace would be more cost effective over the long term.
- Mental health issues have far-reaching effects that go beyond the workplace.
- Yukon has a small workforce and difficulties are often encountered in replacing workers. These comments focused on the cost benefit of retaining employees vs. use of sick and disability leave for mental health issues.
- Regulations supporting prevention would help reduce the stigma attached to mental illness.
The Government of Yukon committed to amending the Workers’ Compensation Act to include a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presumption for emergency response workers. On behalf of the government, Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board (YWCHSB) recently conducted a public consultation to collect public input on the following two issues:
- The Workers’ Compensation Act will be amended in 2017 to provide a PTSD presumption for emergency response workers which will apply to firefighters, paramedics and police officers. The government wants to know what other occupations the public thinks should be considered in the future.
- The government also wants to know if the public would support amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act to promote the development of regulations aimed at preventing mental injuries at work.
The Government of Yukon will use the report to evaluate what occupations might be considered for inclusion in the PTSD presumption in the future and will consider the development of regulations aimed at preventing workplace psychological injuries.
How did we do at this public engagement? Tell us by completing a short questionnaire.