Proposed amendments to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act in the current session of the Legislative Assembly (42nd Parliament, 1st session):
- Click on the title to see the full content of each bill, its status and debate.
Bill 119, Respecting Injured Workers Act (Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment), 2019.
Introduced May 27, 2019 by Wayne Gates (NDP MPP – Niagara Falls). Question period discussion June 1, 2021. Topic: Deeming. “Currently, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board may decide that a worker is able to earn amounts that they are not actually earning, on the basis of suitable and available work they do not actually have. The amendments would prevent that from happening, unless the worker refuses employment in bad faith.”
Bill 191, Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act (Presumption Respecting COVID-19), 2020 .
Introduced May 19, 2020 by Wayne Gates (NDP MPP – Niagara Falls). Topic: Occupational Disease. “If a worker for an essential business [in an order made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act] receives a positive test for the disease known as COVID-19, the disease is presumed to be an occupational disease that occurred due to the nature of the worker’s work unless the contrary is shown. The presumption applies to a positive test received on or after January 25, 2020.”
Bill 194, WSIB Coverage for Workers in Residential Care Facilities and Group Homes Act, 2020.
Introduced July 6, 2020 by John Fraser (Lib MPP – Ottawa South). Topic: Coverage. “This is about WSIB coverage for workers in residential care facilities or group homes and would make everyone who operates one of those a schedule 1 employer. There’s a basic inequity where people are doing the same work with different coverage. It’s the third time I’ve introduced the bill.”
Bill 238, Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act, 2021.
Introduced Dec. 8, 2020 by Hon. Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. Topic: Premiums, Ministerial Powers. COVID-related measure to “help protect businesses from unexpected increases in their WSIB premiums while maintaining an increase to the earnings cap for worker benefits…” Second reading debates (Feb. 16, 2021, Feb. 18, Feb. 23, Feb. 24, Feb. 25 (referred to the Standing Committee on General Government for consideration Mar. 1). Public hearings Mar. 9, Mar 16. [transcripts]. Reported without amendment Mar. 22. Third reading debates Mar. 23 , Mar. 24, Apr. 12, passed Apr. 13; royal assent Apr. 14
Bill 267, Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment Act (Access to Mental Health Support for Essential Workers), 2021
Introduced Mar. 23 by Monique Taylor (NDP MPP – Hamilton Mountain). Topic: Occupational disease. Amendment seeks to guarantee workers designated as essential or working in a workplace designated as essential have access to presumptive coverage for WSIB mental health benefits for chronic or traumatic mental stress injuries. Motion for second reading (April 1, 2021 – vote deferred), Apr. 12 (lost on division)
Bill 284, COVID-19 Putting Workers First Act, 2021
Introduced by Minister of Labour Monte McNaughton Apr. 29. Debated, passed with Royal Assent Apr. 29. Topic: Amends Employment Standards Act to provide 3 paid days for COVID-related leave for sickness, vaccinations under certain circumstances; eligible employers may apply to WSIB for reimbursements (with exceptions, until Jan 22, 2022).