Alberta to introduce new penalties for health, safety violations | Manitoba launches review of WCB process for setting employer rates | Ontario WSIB announces premium rates for 2013 | Ontario moves forward with proposed amendments to workplace safety act | Saskatchewan introduces workers’ compensation legislation
ALBERTA
Alberta to introduce new penalties for health, safety violations
Alberta workers and employers who violate safety rules are facing new penalties and significantly greater fines.
Among the notable proposed changes are:
• increased maximum fines through the courts for Safety Codes Act violations — from $15,000 to $100,000 for a first offence, and from $30,000 to $500,000 for subsequent offences
• new administrative penalties for Occupational Health and Safety Act violations — up to $10,000.
MANITOBA
Manitoba launches review of WCB process for setting employer rates
Manitoba is launching an external review of the Workers Compensation Board’s (WCB) process for setting employer premiums. The review will look for ways to strengthen employer incentives for more effective injury prevention while targeting the illegal practice of claim suppression.
A workplace health and safety expert from British Columbia will work with the WCB and Manitoba Family Services and Labour staff to conduct the review, which will include gathering input from groups across the province that represent injured workers, employers and organized labour, the minister said.
The report is to be submitted to the minister in the spring of 2013.
ONTARIO
Ontario WSIB announces premium rates for 2013
Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) will increase premium rates by 2.5 per cent for all employer rate groups in 2013.
The increase is being implemented to create stable and competitive premium rates for the future and ensure a sustainable workplace safety and insurance system for workers and employers, the WSIB said.
Ontario moves forward with proposed amendments to workplace safety act
Ontario is moving toward amending the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA) to improve the long-term stability of the workers' compensation system.
The proposed changes will be introduced when the legislature resumes and, if passed, would allow the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board to complete the following:
• review loss of earnings benefits after 72 months
• base survivor benefits on the average earnings of the deceased worker's occupation or trade.
Ontario is the only province in Canada to “lock in” loss of earnings benefits after 72 months.
SASKATCHEWAN
Saskatchewan introduces workers’ compensation legislation
Amendments to Saskatchewan’s Workers’ Compensation Act, arising from consultations on workers' compensation, have been introduced by Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan.
Highlights of the amendments include:
• improving benefits for injured workers by increasing the maximum insurable earnings
• the introduction of a system of indexation to ensure benefits are adjusted annually
• allowing workers, upon reaching age 65, to choose between purchasing an annuity or receiving a lump sum payment
• providing the compensation board with the ability to assess administrative penalties.
