News

WSIB Eliminates Key Charge, Benefiting Businesses in Nipissing

NORTH BAY – Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is eliminating its unfunded liability charge, leading to a $607 million reduction in costs to business, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli announced today.

“Our government is committed to providing more economic opportunities for the people of Nipissing,” said Fedeli. “By eliminating the unfunded liability, the WSIB has ensured over 222,000 businesses across the province will see premiums reduced.”

With the reduction announced today, the government has reduced WSIB costs to business by more than $2 billion since taking office. These costs are falling while benefits to injured workers are maintained and workplace safety continues to improve.

The WSIB will officially eliminate its unfunded liability charge beginning in January 2020.

“This is good news for employers and employees across the province,” said Fedeli. “This money will lead to investments in new jobs, technology and health and safety programs.”

QUOTES

“Today’s announcement marks a significant achievement. The WSIB’s unfunded liability, which not that long ago exceeded $14 B, served as a red flag to investors looking for a place to build office towers, commercial facilities, factories and warehouses and create jobs, warning them of the burden of future increased taxes. Today, Ontario is more competitive and Open for Business!”

• Ian Cunningham, President and COO, Council of Ontario Construction Associations

“Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) congratulates the government and the WSIB for continuing to support Ontario manufacturing by further reducing most premium rates for 2020. This decease, along with the elimination of the unfunded liability, is critical for helping Ontario manufacturers compete for investment by reducing their operating costs. This continuing trend in rate reductions also reaffirms the tremendous efforts of Ontario manufacturers and their employees to reduce workplace injuries and related claims.”

• Dennis Darby, President and CEO, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME)

“Today’s news is welcomed by the Ontario business community. Premiums come out of the pockets of business owners. This money saved can be better spent on job creation, new technologies, infrastructure, and better, safer workplaces.”

• Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce

QUICK FACTS

• The Ontario Workplace Safety & Insurance Board is Canada’s largest insurer for workplace safety. It provides benefits to injured workers.
• Over 300,000 employers in Ontario are registered with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s to receive coverage for some five million employees.
• In September 2018 the Ontario government announced the elimination of the unfunded liability, along with an almost 30 per cent decrease in premiums starting in January 2019.
• In January 2020, the unfunded liability charge, or Past Claims Cost, will be eliminated from WSIB rates, resulting in approximately $607 million savings to employers.
  • Of this, about $130 million is related to reduced new claims cost and lower administration costs.