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Recent submissions, reports, guides and other documents developed by Injured Workers Community Legal Clinic, the Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups, and other groups and advocates from the injured worker community. Additional materials can be accessed through the IWC Library.

Submissions on WSIB consultation paper: Modernization of WSIB appeals program

by IWC Community Legal Clinic

Noting the backlog can be addressed without such dramatic means, IWC brief provides detailed analysis of the deeply flawed proposed changes which encroach on the right to appeal and the right to a fair hearing by injured workers. IWC calls for their…

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What will your office tell an injured worker wanting to launch an appeal?

by Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups

Open letter to all Ontario MPPs alerting them to the requirement in WSIB’s “modernisation” of the appeals system that makes injured workers sign a formal ‘acknowledgment of risk’ – the (downside) risk that if they go ahead with the appeal, the WSIB…

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Submissions – WSIB Appeals Modernization Consultation

by Michael S. Green

Brief disputes the Consultation paper’s analysis of the reason for the appeals backlog, attributing it rather to a change in Operations-level decision-making that arises from upper management’s decision to control benefits without policy change. Details concerns with limiting oral hearings and downside…

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Submission on the proposed changes to the appeal system

by Bright Lights Injured Workers' Group

Letter to the Minister of Labour, with submission to the Board, highlights concerns over the downside risk waiver, complexity of forms, and proposal to limit oral hearings. Group calls for the Board to keep the process simple and address backlog in better…

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Letters on the Benefits policy consultation process

by IWC Community Legal Clinic Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups

IWC letter to the Minister of Labour points to the steamroller of change driven by the WSIB management and the need for adequate timeframe to prepare submissions for genuine consultation; attached to letter from ONIWG to chair Jim Thomas on tight timelines,…

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Submission re Proposed changes to the Appeals program

by Gary Newhouse

Lawyer, with over 36 years’ experience representing injured workers, provides historical context for Ontario’s appeal system and, noting the backlog is a crisis of the Board’s own making, delivers a strong critique of proposed changes. In particular, letter addresses the use of…

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Law Commission reports workers’ compensation age limits undermine the worth and dignity of older adults

by Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups

Report notes The Workplace Safety and Insurance Act was amended to protect the age distinctions from discrimination complaints under the Ontario Human Rights Code; discusses two provisions terminating benefits for older workers.…

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Presentations to Agency review: Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

by Ontario Legal Clinics' Workers' Compensation Network Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups

Transcript of presentations by legal advocates and injured workers to the Standing Committee on Government Agencies which address changes to workers’ compensation policies and practices that attack fairness. These include increased claims denial, appeals process, cost-cutting on the backs of workers, deeming,…

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Re Ignoring Professor Arthurs’ quest for fairness for the injured

by Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups

In open letter to the premier, ONIWG responds to the recently announced 2013/2014 cost of living adjustments of 0.5% which, being below the expected inflation rate, means a real reduction in benefits. This runs counter to Arthurs’ recommendation of full COLA.…

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