The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, May 8, 2002 - A3 MORE THAN 30 injured workers and their supporters staged a public protest last week in an effort to draw attention to what they say is a system which denies them compensation they deserve. Organized by the Northwest Injured Workers Association, the protesters gath- ered in front of the Workers’ Compensa- lion Board (WCB) office in Terrace be- fore marching to Liberal MLA Roger Har- ris’s constituency office April 30. “There’s a preat misconception that the WCB is there for the workers when it’s not,” said society founder Jim Smith. “It’s for themselves.” He charges the board is more intent on policing benefit pay-outs than on rehabiii- tation. The group also claims the WCB con- stantly ignores the advice of doctors and denies injured people money. JIM SMITH (lop) rallies injured workers and supporters at an April 30 demon- stration in front of the Workers’ Compensation Board office on Lakelse Ave. One of those injured people, Joanne Carrier (left) spoke of her problems. Injured workers rally at WCB, MLA’s office experiences, Joanne Carrier, a Terrace grandmother, said she stopped receiving benefits March 23 because the WCB said she should be able to work a 40 hour week. After seven surgeries on her right knee since 1992, Carrier has braces on both of her legs and walks with the assistance of two canes. She said her doctors need to do more tests before determining what type of work she is able to do and for how many hours per week. She charges WCB wrongly cut off her benefits. “Financially, right now [’m just strapped,” Carrier said. Jim Smith added there are workers who are wrongly being denied claims. He said some WCB employees are “marally and ethically corrupt.” Medically. unqualified. case, workers ig-. “nore doctors’, advice, “and t vf turn, “d claims, Smith said. . - A number of injured people gathered Speak, to “the office of MLA Roger Harris, but. were met at the door by a security guard who A number of. the: protesters ‘tried: to, o WCB officials: before walking to , for the rally and spoke openly about their A FREE SHAMES MOUNTAIN 2002/2003 SKI PASS! 2002 GOLF GL SALE *19,995 *12 Year Factory Rust Warranty! aR Smile and Whitening By Dr. Zucchiatti ADENT DENTAL CLINIC Phone: 635-2552 4623 Lakelse Avenue, Terrace Mon-Fri * 8:00 am - 5:00 pm "purchase any 2002 Golf off the month of may 2002 and receive... Columbia Auto Haus Drivers wanted: (i) The Golf. 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The practice started years ago at forest service sites to counter damage and disturbances, says for- est service official Carl Johansen. “Regular patrols with our slaff and the RCMP have worked,” he said. That worked all to well as young party-scekers last year then went.to the Lakelse Lake provincial park. Provincial parks supervisor Ben Sabal last year’s rowdy behaviour resulted in more than $1,000 in damage and the eviction of more than 120 mostly young people who were drinking. “Persons under the age of 19 will not be allowed to camp unless they have a parent or legal guar- dian camping with them on the camp site, said Sabal. Fallers aided FHE WORKERS’ Compensation Board is staging a seminar here tomorrow aimed at reducing injur- ies und deaths among fallers. WCB statistics indicate there were eight faller deaths in 2000, which amounted to one-third of all deaths in the forest industry that year and five per cent of all WCB fatality claims for that year. It says 252 fallers were also injured in 2000, 13 per cent of all claims from the forest industry. The day-long seminar takes place at the Best Western Terrace [nn. Doctor honoured Dr. Bent Hougesen of Hazelton was given the award by the Society of Rural Physicians at its conference last week in Kelowna. “Many rural communities don’! have enough doctors. Others are privileged to have a series of doctors contribute to the care of their community. Only a few have had long-standing contributions of physicians who have made a real commitment to their community,” said society president Dr. Jill Konkin in announcing the award. Colleges sign deal NORTHWEST COMMUNITY College and the Wilp Wilxo’oskwhl Nisga’a (Nisga’a House of Learning) in the Nass Valley are to renew their co- Operalion agreement at a ceremony this Friday. The two institutions have offered a variely of courses in the Nass Valley since the late 1980s. That list includes business and office administra- tion courses, home support courses and university credit courses. The goal is'to provide post-second- ' ary education focussing on, First Nations develop- ment and for programs leading toward degrees. A a Ee INDUSTRIAL = FLEET - SAFETY SUPPLY 2809 Kalum Street, Terrace, B.C. 635-6226