Workplace Incidents Consultative Committee - Terms of Reference

Lived experience members are appointed on a sessional basis for a term of three years. They are eligible to be reappointed for one additional term and may only be reappointed for subsequent additional terms under exceptional circumstances.

The Government Co-chairperson is appointed for the length of time they remain eligible under the Regulations or until their office becomes vacant.

The Committee is expected to meet a minimum four times per calendar year as set out in the Act. The Committee may also receive updates, provide advice, and make decisions out of session by email correspondence, as required.

The length of individual meetings is to be agreed by the co-chairpersons, with full day meetings (i.e. seven hours including breaks) being the standard.

The quorum for the Committee is at least half of all members. If at least half of all members advise the Secretariat ahead of the meeting that they cannot attend, the meeting will be rescheduled to another time when more members can be present. If this is not possible or practical, the meeting shall go ahead, with any decisions to be held over until the next meeting where there is a quorum.

With support from the Secretariat, the Committee will meet once every calendar year to set its annual forward agenda and workplan.

The workplan should propose a meeting timeline, outline priority areas for reform and the Committee’s objectives for that year. It will be informed by the Government’s priorities for addressing gaps in the system that impact affected persons.

The co-chairpersons will set meeting agendas in consultation with other members, who should let the co‑chairpersons know if they have an item they would like to raise.

The co-chairpersons may also be contacted by external parties, such as government departments or agencies, wishing to consult the Committee on reform proposals. All external requests should first be sent to the Secretariat who will forward the request to the co-chairs. The co-chairs will determine if the request meets the Committee’s scope and requirements.

The Secretariat will send the agenda and any papers to all members at least seven business days before a meeting, if possible. Members will be able to access meeting papers and other resources on an online portal for easy access. Minutes will be circulated within one week of a meeting.

Lived experience members will elect two members of the Committee to the roles of non-government co‑chairperson and deputy non-government chairperson, in the event these roles become vacant.

Members will be given an opportunity to express interest in the positions and explain to other members why they should be considered. Members will then be given an opportunity to vote privately to elect members to the roles.

The Workplace Safety Reform branch, DJCS, will provide Secretariat support to the Committee.

Lived experience members are entitled to pay and reimbursements for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of official duties, as specified in their Instrument of Appointment.

Payment is provided in half day or full day sitting fees and includes reading and preparation time. Any activity undertaken for up to four hours is paid as a half day, and any activity over four hours is considered a full day.

The Government Co-Chairperson is not entitled to receive any pay or allowances in respect of their role.

All members must avoid conflicts of interest. In addition, members must declare any actual, perceived, or potential conflicts of interest to the co-chairpersons or secretariat that arise during their appointment as soon as practical and work with the secretariat to manage the conflict.

These Terms of Reference may be amended, varied or modified in writing after consultation with the Committee and with the majority agreement of members to do so.