Natural Resources committee  I think if we look at the experience in what are called mass torts, governments have reacted by establishing administrative claims tribunals because they're efficient and they're equitable in terms of their ability to bring claims together and deal with them as a group as opposed to a court, which may deal with claims on a first come, first served basis.

Natural Resources committee  By virtue of clause 28, the workers will still have access to whatever employee scheme of compensation or pension plan, etc., that exists for them.

Natural Resources committee  What the act does is preserve all those forms of agreements, all those pension plans, all those schemes of health insurance. What this provision does is say that although we are providing a separate and special avenue for victims to obtain compensation, recognize that all of these normal contractual agreements between individuals and their health insurance provider, or their pension provider, or other forms of insurance still exist.

Natural Resources committee  That's right.

Natural Resources committee  I think there are various considerations related to why the insurers will not provide the coverage.

Natural Resources committee  The 30-year limitation period--and I think we've covered that area already--addresses bodily injury.

Natural Resources committee  After 10 years.

Natural Resources committee  Between 10 and 30 years would be compensable through the reinsurance account.

Natural Resources committee  That's correct. Claims made beyond 10 years, relating to bodily injury, would fall under this reinsurance regime, and this is similar to legislation internationally, under which it's up to public funds to provide this additional coverage.

Natural Resources committee  The liability limit is fixed at $650 million.

Natural Resources committee  No, they don't. There's a $650 million limit, and the $650 million covers any claims within the period prescribed by the legislation.

Natural Resources committee  That's right. It's $650 million unless the government appropriates additional funds. The legislation establishes $650 million as the limit.

Natural Resources committee  Reinsurance is a component of the $650 million. The actual payments by either insurers or the government will not exceed $650 million.

Natural Resources committee  No.

Natural Resources committee  It's complicated. If we're looking at the issue of damages or injury beyond 10 years, between 10 and 30 years, this is ahead of damage that is provided through reinsurance. That reinsurance is provided by the federal government. The limit of liability is $650 million. That's the total liability.