Law Reform

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What would expanding coverage mean?

September 12, 2019

One in four workers in Ontario, approximately 1.7 million workers, are not covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, giving the province one of the lowest coverage rates in the country. Most provinces automatically cover all workers under workers’ compensation, except…

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“Privatization of the WSIB is on the horizon”

July 9, 2019

“The WSIB of Ontario is one of the most profitable corporations in Canada, regarding any business activity, while its injured workers are the most destitute.” In its recent Workers’ Compensation Newsletter (July 2019), Fink & Bornstein point to the Workplace Safety and…

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Workers’ compensation concerns raised in the House

May 28, 2019

New Democrat Labour critic Wayne Gates (MPP – Niagara Falls) introduced Bill 119, Respecting Injured Workers Act (Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment), in the Legislative Assembly today. Intended to remedy the harmful Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) practice of deeming…

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From the House floor

March 28, 2019

On Monday Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Judith Monteith-Farrell rose in the Legislative Assembly to present a petition and to address how principles underlying Ontario’s workers’ compensation system are being eroded. Her comments focused on the recent 30% cuts to employers’ premiums all while,…

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OFL calls for universal workers’ compensation coverage

February 7, 2019

As part of their submissions to the Ontario Government’s pre-budget consultation, the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) calls on the province to extend workers’ comp coverage to everyone in the province. Though many people assume everyone in Ontario is entitle to WSIB…

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Any workers’ comp review must involve injured workers!

January 4, 2019

On November 15th of last year, Ontario’s governing Progressive Conservative Party released a document called A Plan For the People: Ontario Economic Outlook and Review that outlined some of their early accomplishments and plans. Tucked 54 pages into this document is a…

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A look back – and ahead

December 28, 2018

2018 was marked by the energy and solidarity of the injured worker community in bringing attention of the public and policy-makers to failures of Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) in delivering fair and timely compensation, particularly for those with permanent…

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Register now – Bancroft Institute discussion Nov 29

November 16, 2018

A reminder that the next in the Bancroft Institute for Studies on Workers’ Compensation and Work Injury discussion series is fast approaching. Keynote speaker at the November 29 Thursday morning event will be Professor Ellen MacEachen, Co-director of the Centre for Research…

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Govt bill weakens labour law protections for workers

October 28, 2018

This has been a challenging week for legal protection of workers’ conditions of employment and safety on the job. On Tuesday the Ford government introduced Bill 47, Making Ontario Open for Business Act, 2018 to roll-back labour laws changes enacted in the…

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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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