Ontario to amend Workplace Safety and Insurance Act

Ontario is moving toward amending the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA) to promote the long-term stability of the workers’ compensation system.

Proposed changes to the WSIA would, if passed, allow the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) to:

• Review Loss of Earnings benefits after 72 months – currently benefits are generally ‘locked in’ after 72 months, even if an injured worker’s condition improves or they rejoin the workforce.
• Base survivor benefits on the average earnings of the deceased worker’s occupation or trade rather than the statutory minimum currently provided under the Act.

“Our government is helping employers and workers find better ways to get people back to work. The proposed amendments would also help ensure fairness for the survivors of those who die from occupational disease,” Ontario Minister of Labour Linda Jeffrey said in a statement.

The proposed amendments will be introduced once the Legislature resumes.