Injured Workers' History Project

Justice : speedily and humanely rendered

May 31, 2011

At a time when the funding of Ontario’s workers’ compensation is again under review, a look back at the Meredith Commission. In making difficult decisions on complex issues of who was to pay, how it was to be financed, how long benefits…

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The politics of workers’ compensation

June 1, 2010

Recent developments mark a renewed assault on injured workers. Bulletin looks at historical political pressures and mobilization.…

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“The historic compromise”

June 1, 2009

In times of economic hardship, the historic tradeoff that Meredith negotiated is often conveniently forgotten. It is a compromise that underscores the fact that employers do not pay for the compensation system by themselves. Workers paid and continue to pay – by…

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Meredith’s principles

May 1, 2009

As head of the Royal Commission (1910-1913) charged with recommending a workers’ compensation system for Ontario, Sir William Meredith aimed to ensure a fair system – one that would prevent injured workers from falling into poverty, that did not unduly burden employers,…

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Miracle at 200 Front St : a play

December 1, 2008

A magical glimpse of how a fair, just and effective workers’ compensation system could be……

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Experience? Rating?

August 1, 2008

Origins of Ontario’s experience rating system, a financial incentive for employers to improve occupational health & safety but that in practice can lead to claims suppression.…

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Back to the future

December 1, 2007

Workers’ compensation legislative changes in Bill 187 not only fail to eliminate deeming as promised but entrench it further. Bulletin looks at government policies on wage loss/dual award systems and deeming.…

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Deeming : it’s just wrong!

June 1, 2007

A phantom job with phantom wages – the introduction of deeming in Bill 162 (1988) as a cost control measure betrays the Meredith principles at the basis of Ontario’s workers compensation system.…

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No more cap in hand

May 1, 2007

Cost of living protection as a right : early in the 21st century injured workers are being condemned to poverty and shame by employers and governments who claim that fully indexed benefits are far too costly.…

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A merry protest

December 1, 2006

Injured workers’ “Christmas Day of protest”, held annually since 1991, marks the ongoing struggle for justice. The Bulletin presents a Dickensian tale of their past, present and future.…

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