‘Improving the WSIB system is one of the ways our government is making it easier for people to receive the benefits they deserve’
Ontario is investing $600,000 in the Office of the Worker Adviser (OWA) and Office of the Employer Adviser (OEA) to help make it easier for workers and small businesses to navigate the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board's (WSIB) compensation system.
“Our government is committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of the WSIB, which is vital to protecting Ontario workers,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, training and skills development. “Improving the WSIB system is one of the ways our government is making it easier for people to receive the benefits they deserve and ensuring workers and employers can find the information and representation they need when they need it.”
Through the two adviser offices, non-unionized workers and small businesses will be able to access advice, education and representation at the WSIB and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) at no cost.
Strengthening the adviser offices is a recommendation made in an operational review of Ontario's WSIB commissioned by the government to help ensure the WSIB's long-term sustainability and effectiveness. Linda Regner Dykeman and Sean Speer were appointed to conduct the review based on their respective areas of expertise in insurance and public policy.
Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board covers over five million people in more than 300,000 workplaces across Ontario.
Previously, Ontario announced its $45 billion, three-year Ontario's Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover to respond to the serious health and economic impacts of COVID-19. However, it did not fully meet the demands of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO).
