The proposed changes could apply to individuals receiving Loss-of-Earnings benefits and workers at privately operated Residential Care Facilities and Group Homes in the Province
The Government of Ontario has recently announced that it would table legislation that, if passed, would expand both mandatory Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) coverage to frontline care workers in all privately operated residential care facilities, retirement homes, and group homes. The Government also announced proposed changes that would increase WSIB Loss-of-Earnings (“LOE”) benefits for the first time in nearly 30 years.
According to press releases from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, the proposed expansion is one step in the Government’s “plan to protect workers and build a more resilient Ontario.” The proposed changes appear to be a response to a changing demographic of workers in Ontario and, more specifically, a historical coverage gap for frontline care workers in privately operated residential care facilities, as compared with publicly operated facilities (and most other employers in Ontario), which are subject to mandatory WSIB coverage.
The WSIB is Ontario’s no-fault collective liability insurance system, which provides wage-loss benefits, medical coverage, and support to individuals following an injury or illness that is work-related. Over 75% of Ontario employers are subject to mandatory WSIB...
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