Changes to provide ‘clarity and consistency for employers,’ says minister
The Ontario government has introduced proposed legislation that would significantly broaden workplace injury insurance coverage, extending protections to roughly 29,000 additional frontline care workers across the province.
If approved, the changes would require all privately run residential care facilities, retirement homes, and group homes to provide mandatory coverage through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
Roughly165,000 people worked in nursing and residential care facilities across Ontario in 2025.
Standardizing protections
The move is intended to address longstanding inconsistencies that have left many workers without access to compensation if they are hurt or become ill on the job.
Currently, workers performing similar roles in publicly operated facilities are covered, while many in privately run settings are not. The proposed legislation aims to standardize protections across the sector, ensuring equal treatment regardless of an employer’s operating model.
Roles expected to benefit include personal support workers, nurses, social workers, therapists, and various support staff.
The WSIB already covers more than five million workers in Ontario. It offers wage replacement, medical benefits, and return-to-work support for injured employees.
‘Consistency for employers’
Government officials framed the proposal as part of a broader strategy to strengthen labour protections while streamlining regulations.
"Protecting workers and cutting red tape go hand in hand. By modernizing outdated rules and extending WSIB coverage across the residential care sector, we’re giving workers the protection they deserve while providing clarity and consistency for employers,” said Andrea Khanjin, minister of red tape reduction.
In November 2025, the WSIB announced the distribution of another $2 billion in surplus funds to eligible, safe Ontario businesses. This marked the second surplus distribution in 2025 and the third in the WSIB’s history.
