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St. Francois Xavier CAO Robert Poirier (left) and reeve Roger Poitras attended the AMM’s annual convention in Winnipeg. (ANDREA GEARY)

Members of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities recently passed a resolution asking the provincial government to take on responsibility for processing emergency volunteer workers’ injury compensation claims.

The resolution was sponsored by the municipalities of Cartier and St. Francois Xavier and voted on at the AMM’s annual convention.

SFX reeve Roger Poitras said it was drafted in response to a situation in 2011 in which two volunteers in his municipality and one in Cartier were injured while sandbagging during spring flooding along the Assiniboine River.

The volunteers’ compensation claims were processed by the municipalities, and as a result, the rates they pay to the Workers Compensation Board increased.

"We feel that the province should be responsible for volunteer compensation claims," Poitras said.
Because of the claims filed, Poitras said the WCB levy for his municipality rose from 79 cents per $100 of municipal payroll, to $1.07 this year, and will increase to $1.32 in 2013.

CAO Robert Poirier said the cost increase was $1,237 this year and will be $1,156 in 2013. However, a portion will be paid back through the Cartier, St. Francois Xavier and Headingley Emergency Measures Office.

The resolution, along with others passed by AMM members, will be sent to the provincial government.