What Does the Board of Directors Do?

The Board of Directors provides oversight of the WCB and establishes the vision and strategic direction of the organization. Board members do this by fulfilling the following key responsibilities:

• Approve the overall vision, mission and values of the organization.
• Approve the strategic plan for the organization.
• Approve the annual operational plan and budget for the organization.
• Approve the funding strategy and assessment rates that employers pay.
• Approve program policies of the WCB.
• Appoint the CEO and monitor their performance.
• Recommend legislative changes to the provincial government. 
• Safeguard the WCB’s resources and assets. 

All members have a fiduciary responsibility to the Board. This means that each Board member must act honestly and on good faith in the best interest of the system. 

How many positions are on the Board?

The Board of Directors is made up of a Chair, Deputy Chair, four worker representatives, and four employer representatives. Together, Board members reflect a balance of stakeholder interests in the province’s workers’ compensation system.

The Board of Directors is made up of a diverse group of people who are appointed to represent the interests of employers or workers. Board members are generally appointed for four years and may be reappointed. 

The Chair is the main spokesperson for the Board of Directors. The Chair is appointed for five years and may be reappointed.

The Deputy Chair fulfills the roles and responsibilities of the Chair if they are absent or unable to act as Chair. They also provide support to the Chair. The Deputy Chair is appointed for five years and may be reappointed. 

How are Board Members Appointed?

The Governor in Council appoints Board members. This means they are approved by Executive Council and the Lieutenant Governor, which results in an Order in Council.  Members are selected through the Government of Nova Scotia's ABC Appointment process. 

Worker representatives should be nominated by the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour, designated injured worker associations, or other labour organizations. 

Employer representatives should be nominated by groups that represent employers covered by the Workers’ Compensation Act. There is a section in the online application process to attach a letter of nomination or to provide contact information for someone who can confirm your nomination. 
    
The Chair and Deputy Chair are also selected through the Government of Nova Scotia’s ABC Appointment process and are recruited through an open competition process.

What are the requirements to serve on the Board?

Directors bring a wide range of experience and perspectives to their positions. Examples of the optimal skills and experience required to effectively serve on the Board include the following:

• Understand the strategic goals of the workers’ compensation system. 
• Ability to balance interests of different stakeholders and see other points of view.
• Understand the Board’s governance role.
• Ability to oversee operational performance and measure successful performance.
• Ability to think strategically about opportunities and engage in collaborative  planning and policy development processes.
• Finance and investment knowledge will be an asset, but not a requirement. At least one Board member is required to have an accounting background.
• Risk management oversight, including familiarity with technology and privacy risks, will also be an asset.

The Board has adopted a Director Skills and Diversity Matrix, which defines the optimal characteristics of the board as a whole. Annually, directors complete self-assessments of their knowledge, skills and experience to produce a director skills heat map. The heat map is also used to support the identification of the ongoing learning and development needs of the Board. 

What are the time commitments to be on the Board?

The Board meets approximately one day per month on average. Meetings usually run a full day from 9am-4pm. There will also be a time commitment to read and review materials before and after meetings in order to fulfill your role as a Board member. 

In addition to the regular Board meetings, the Board of Directors has several standing committees that usually meet four or five times per year. Board members may be asked to serve on one of the following committees: 

• Investment Committee
• Finance, Audit and Risk Committee 
• Key Performance Indicators Committee
• Development and Succession Committee
• Governance and Policy Committee (Board as a Whole Committee)

The Board of Directors recognizes the importance of providing ongoing development and education for its members.  As such, directors may be asked to attend conferences and other education sessions to assist in their learning and development needs. 

Collective, Board members will typically be required to dedicate 3-4 days a month to attend to the business of the Board. 

Are Board members compensated?

The compensation for directors is outlined in the Order in Council details. 
The Chair is compensated $20,000 per year, plus $300 per day of meetings, plus expenses. There is a maximum payment of $50,000 per year for the Chair. The Deputy Chair is paid $3,000 per year, plus $300 per day of meetings, plus expenses. 

Board members are paid $300 per day of meetings, plus expenses.  The Deputy Chair and members are also paid an additional $2,000 per year for Chairing board committees, if required.