Benefits

Former rubber workers: ‘Those plants ruined us’

December 6, 2018

[Dec. 12 update: In response to The Record’s series, WSIB Chair orders review of hundreds of denied claims]. Once the booming Rubber Capital of Canada, Kitchener’s plants employed thousands. While many of those plants have long closed, former workers and their families…

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Overdue: addressing injured worker poverty

October 17, 2018

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is a day to reflect also on the poverty close at home. One in six Canadians currently live in poverty, and in Ontario the percentage is slightly higher at 17%. While Toronto and Windsor…

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We can do better

October 8, 2018

Pushback on the recently announced 30% cut in employers’ premium rates continues unabated. In Rank and File.ca (Oct. 4) , Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups president Willy Noiles tracks reductions in employers’ premiums made since the mid-1990s. According to Professor Harry…

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On the backs of injured workers

September 28, 2018

The 30% cut to employers’ premiums recently announced by the Ontario government and WSIB continues to draw strong condemnation for the negative and continuing impact it will have for those with work-related injury or illness: The Ontario Network of Injured Workers’ Groups…

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A bonanza for employers at injured workers’ expense

September 27, 2018

While the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) was holding its Annual General Meeting yesterday, injured workers and their advocates were protesting outside the building. They were there to #BlowTheWhistle on the Board’s strong financial position being built on the backs of…

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The Opioid crisis, injured workers, and the WSIB

August 17, 2018

Although the opioid crisis is now recognized as a national priority in both Canada and the United States, the two countries with the highest per capita opioid usage, a feature article in Workers’ Comp Hub Newsletter (summer 2018) highlights the fact…

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Difficulties accessing medical marijuana

July 13, 2018

“Ontario injured workers shut out of medical pot coverage – told to take opioids instead” / John Lancaster (CBC News, Jul. 12, 2018) A CBC Toronto investigation reveals the dilemma many injured workers face in Ontario when denied coverage for medical marijuana…

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Appeal Court Stops WSIB Criminalization of Injured Workers’ Recovery from Injury

May 17, 2018

Ontario’s Court of Appeal has issued its decision on three cases that were heard together challenging convictions of injured workers for failing to report a material change of circumstances (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board v. Curtis, 2018 ONCA 441 (CanLII). Injured…

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“Deeming the WSIB unfit to serve Ontario’s injured workers”

April 12, 2018

Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas rose in the Legislative Assembly Tuesday to call out the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) on practices that have had catastrophic impacts for two miners in her constituency – and that can have devastating consequences for…

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Injured workers and the Assembly

March 29, 2018

It’s been a busy week in Ontario’s Legislative Assembly as the province moves towards the June election. MPPs raised several issues facing injured workers: Questions in the House Deeming – on Monday Cindy Forster (Welland) again questioned why “the government continues to…

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