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“The lowered flag is a powerful symbol of our respect”

April 22, 2016

Bill 180, Workers Day of Mourning Act, 2016 introduced by Percy Hatfield (MPP for Windsor-Tecumseh) and supported by all parties passed second reading April 7 (with a standing ovation) and is now waiting to be considered by the Standing Committee on the…

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PTSD compensation for first responders

April 6, 2016

“Ontario recognizes PTSD as work-related for first responders” / Rob Ferguson (Toronto Star, Apr. 5, 2016) With all-party support, Bill 163, Supporting Ontario’s First Responders Act (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder), 2016 was passed into law Tuesday. The amendment to the Workplace Safety and…

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Union calls for end to age discrimination in workers’ compensation

March 25, 2016

“Older workers want ‘fairness’ – Sudbury union” / Carol Mulligan (Sudbury Star, Mar. 22, 2016) When the government in 2006 abolished the mandatory retirement age of 65, it left other legislation tied to the former mandatory age to be dealt with at…

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An important step, but more is needed to address mental health needs

March 22, 2016

In its “Submission” to the Standing Committee on Social Policy considering Bill 163, Injured Workers’ Consultants supports the amendment to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act adding a presumption that diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in first responders is work-related. It also…

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First responders PTSD bill introduced today

February 18, 2016

With Bill 163, Supporting Ontario’s First Responders Act (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder), 2016, the Liberal Government introduced its promised PTSD legislation. Amending subsection 13(4) of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, the bill aims to give first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder faster …

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Will Ontario follow Manitoba’s lead?

January 8, 2016

“PTSD: The arc of justice bends towards first responders” / Andre Picard (Globe and Mail, Jan. 7, 2016) Amendments in effect January 1st have changed the way Manitoba’s workers’ compensation treats post-traumatic stress disorder claims, with diagnosed PTSD now presumed to be…

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Full indexation finally to be restored?

November 25, 2015

(Update: Bill 144 passed in the legislature Dec. 10, 2015) In second reading debate in the House Tuesday on Bill 144, Budget Measures Act 2015, the Hon. Michael Gravelle (Lib – Thunder Bay-Superior North) spoke in support of workers’ compensation benefits…

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Minister: “Every member of this House should review this report”

November 5, 2015

Cindy Forster (MPP – Welland) rose in the House this afternoon to acknowledge the doctors present supporting the release today of “Prescription Over-ruled”, the OFL/ONIWG joint report addressing how the WSIB systematically ignores medical opinions of the treating health provider. The…

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Bill 133 addresses WSIB clawbacks

October 28, 2015

On Tuesday, Liberal MPP Laura Albanese introduced Bill 133, Workplace Safety and Insurance Act Amendment Act (Permanent Partial Disability Supplements), 2015. The Bill is intended to deal with a problem affecting older recipients with pre-1990 injuries by eliminating deductions of Old…

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Remembering Terence Ison

October 8, 2015

The staff of Injured Workers’ Consultants were saddened by news of the recent death of Terence Ison. We join the legal and injured worker community in wishing to recognize his lifelong and unique contribution to the development of law and policy and…

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