Changes to the WSIB’s Annual Indexing: Are You Prepared?

Effective January 1, 2018, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) will utilize a single indexing factor to calculate the annual adjustment to all indexed benefits and the legislated amounts as a result of recent amendments to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (WSIA). To support the implementation of these changes, the WSIB has developed a new policy (18-01-14 Annual Indexing) and revised several existing benefit payment policies. Learn more in this FTR Now.

Bill 177 Receives Royal Assent, Amends WSIA, OHSA, PBA and BPSECA

On December 14, 2017, Bill 177, Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2017, received Royal Assent. Bill 177 is omnibus legislation which amends several statutes, including the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Pension Benefits Act and the Broader Public Sector Executive Compensation Act. Workplace Safety and Insurance…

Ontario Announces Intention to Add Nurses as First Responders for Purpose of WSIB PTSD Presumption

On December 6, 2017, the Ontario Ministry of Labour announced that it intends to add nurses who provide direct patient care to the list of “first responders” who benefit from a presumption of work-relatedness if they develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The change is aimed at expediting front-line nurses’ access to benefits and timely treatment…

WSIB Issues Final Chronic Mental Stress Policy: What Employers Need to Know

Recent amendments to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (WSIA) will expand the scope of benefit entitlement for mental stress to include chronic mental stress. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has just issued the final version of its operational policy in support of this new entitlement. This expanded entitlement will have significant consequences for employers – read more for what you, as an employer, need to know..

WSIB Rate Framework Policy Consultation Extended

As we previously reported, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board has launched a public consultation on draft policies for the new Rate Framework, which will be implemented on January 1, 2020. The deadline for submissions on the Rate Framework Policy Consultation has been extended from October 13, 2017 to December 5, 2017. Submissions can be…

WSIB Rate Framework Implementation Date Set for January 1, 2020

Further to O. Reg. 349/17 which amends O. Reg. 470/16 made under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, the new Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Rate Framework will be implemented on January 1, 2020, which is one year later than the initial targeted implementation date. As we previously reported, the Rate Framework will fundamentally change…

WSIB Launches Public Consultation on Draft Policies for New Rate Framework

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has launched a public consultation on seven draft policies made in support of its new Rate Framework, which was approved by the WSIB Board of Directors in November 2016. The Rate Framework has a targeted implementation date of January 2019. Comments are invited on the following draft policies:…

Private Member’s Bill Proposes Compulsory WSIB Coverage for Residential Care Facilities and Group Homes

On June 1, 2017, Bill 145, WSIB Coverage for Workers in Residential Care Facilities and Group Homes Act, 2017 was introduced by a member of the Liberal Party. If passed, Bill 145 would amend the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (WSIA) to provide that an employer who operates a residential care facility or a…