Employer premiums

What’s really going on? Rebates and government ‘largesse’

December 2, 2024

The recent announcement that Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board will be distributing $2 billion of ‘surplus’ rebates to businesses in February 2025 was met with shock and anger by the injured worker community. In response, Steve Mantis (Thunder Bay & District…

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ONIWG continues to speak out on key issues facing injured workers

June 15, 2022

In two recent communications, the Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups (ONIWG) continues to raise its voice on issues of long-standing concern to the injured worker community. Claims suppression, non-reporting and abandoned claims A letter to the President and CEO of the…

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Registration deadline Wed. Nov 10 for public hearings on Bill 27 (WSIB surplus distribution)

November 9, 2021

Schedule 6 of Bill 27, Working for Workers Act, 2021 amends the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act to allow distribution of “surplus” funds. The Bill has now been referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy for public (virtual) hearings Nov. 15-18.…

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ONIWG responds to consultation on ‘surplus funds’

August 8, 2021

In response to the Ministry of Labour’s consultation on how the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) should distribute “surplus” funds, ONIWG calls on the Board to restore the cuts to injured workers’ benefits and services. “Elimination of the unfunded liability should…

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MOL is asking what to do with WSIB ‘surplus’ funds? Let them know

August 3, 2021

The Ministry of Labour is currently holding a short consultation on how the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) should distribute “surplus” funds. The Ministry’s discussion paper follows up on a key recommendation of the WSIB Operational Review report (2020) that the…

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Injured workers denounce premium rate reduction & death at Fiera Foods

September 26, 2019

(Press Release, Sep. 26 2019) The Ontario Network of Injured Workers’ Groups (ONIWG) is appalled that the Ford government and WSIB are giving yet another massive gift to employers in the form of a 17% premium rate reduction, especially with…

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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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Lower premiums for employers – who pays?

September 25, 2016

“WSIB premium cuts hurts injured workers says OPSEU, Injured Workers Group” / Tom Sasvari (Manitoulin Expositor, Sep. 23, 2016) At its recent Annual general meeting, the WSIB announced cuts to the premiums employers pay in 2017, averaging 5% but decreasing by up…

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