Continue Reading What’s really going on? Rebates and government ‘largesse’
Employer premiums
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…
ONIWG continues to speak out on key issues facing injured workers
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…
Continue Reading ONIWG continues to speak out on key issues facing injured workers
Registration deadline Wed. Nov 10 for public hearings on Bill 27 (WSIB surplus distribution)
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.…
ONIWG responds to consultation on ‘surplus funds’
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…
Continue Reading ONIWG responds to consultation on ‘surplus funds’
MOL is asking what to do with WSIB ‘surplus’ funds? Let them know
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…
Continue Reading MOL is asking what to do with WSIB ‘surplus’ funds? Let them know
Injured workers denounce premium rate reduction & death at Fiera Foods
(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…
Continue Reading Injured workers denounce premium rate reduction & death at Fiera Foods
We can do better
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…
On the backs of injured workers
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…
A bonanza for employers at injured workers’ expense
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…
Continue Reading A bonanza for employers at injured workers’ expense
Lower premiums for employers – who pays?
“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…