Recent documents are in both PDF and html formats but all may be available in alternate formats on request.
Complaint to the Ombudsman of Ontario: WSIB Refusal to Compensate for Chronic Occupational Stress
A request for the Ombudsman to investigate the WSIB’s continued application of legislative provisions and policy that have been found unconstitutional and discriminate against workers suffering chronic occupational mental health disabilities.
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Re Better at Work critique
Regarding the WSIB response to its July 21st letter, ONIWG remains deeply concerned that the “Better at Work” approach sacrifices the “safe” part of “early and safe return to work” …
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Submission to the Changing Workplaces Review on the Interim Report
In a second submission, IWC calls on the Special Advisors to reject options that will introduce more precarity to Ontario’s labour market and instead recommend legislative changes to protect migrant workers, who are particularly vulnerable to abuse…
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UN Convention on the Rights of People with a Disability (CRPD): ONIWG Submission
Submission focuses on systemic barriers (including WSIB practices of deeming and experience rating) encountered by injured workers and workers with disabilities when trying to maintain employment following workplace injury or illness. Referencing Articles 27 and 28 of the CRPD, ONIWG recommends a holistic approach to assessing workplace issues…
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WSIBs principle of Better at Work contravenes Time to Heal and WSI legislation
The purpose of this letter is to engage the Government and the WSIB in a conversation about their mistaken and harmful philosophy promoting “immediate” return to work, rather than “early and safe” return to work based on an individual’s situation ….
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Re Appeal time limits – Workplace Safety and Insurance Act
Time limits on appeals, first introduced into the system with Bill 99, have added unnecessary complexity that adversely affects injured workers’ access to justice – especially those with modest education or for whom English is a second language – and proves a burdensome challenge even for experienced representatives.
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WSIB misuse of IWH update on “Adequacy of Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Ontario”
Letter to the Premier regrets that the Board is ignoring the real message: why do only 48% of injured workers return to work after injury and replace over time their pre-injury earnings? The study data goes only to 2008 – before the major changes made in claims adjudication from 2010 on. So what are injured […]
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Workers concerns downplayed and misrepresented by Rate Framework Consultation
Letter to the WSIB Chair protests the Consultation’s virtual dismissal of worker-side concerns submitted, with considerable time and effort, by injured worker groups, labour and advocates.
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Commentary on Bill 163 supporting Ontario’s First Responders’ Act
Clinic’s submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy welcomes the assistance the presumptive amendment provides to first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but also makes recommendations on addressing more broadly the under-compensation of work-related mental health disabilities.
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Letter to Premier on WSIAT Chair Appointment
The importance of choosing a fair minded Chair of the Workplace Safety and Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) – last bastion of justice and hope for injured workers – in an open process.
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