The article titled “Ontario announces another $2B WSIB rebate”, published by Canadian Occupational Safety, reports that the Ontario government is issuing a second $2 billion rebate to employers through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). This initiative is part of a broader $11 billion provincial package aimed at supporting economic resilience amid ongoing global financial pressures, including trade uncertainties and inflationary challenges. The rebate is intended to help employers stabilize their operations, reinvest in their businesses, and preserve jobs during a period of economic volatility.
The rebate is calculated based on each employer’s 2024 insurable earnings, with most recipients expected to receive approximately 60% of their annual WSIB premiums back. “If your insurable earnings went up, you’ll get a bigger rebate. If they went down, you’ll get a smaller one,” Lang explains.. The WSIB plans to distribute the funds by June 2025, though some may receive them earlier. The financial foundation for this initiative comes from the WSIB’s strong reserve position. The WSIB draws the funds from its reserves, made possible by strong financial performance and improved return-to-work outcomes. Lang confirms the WSIB’s funding ratio sits at 118%, and the rebate won’t affect the board’s ability to fund benefits.
WSIB President and CEO Jeffery Lang emphasized that this rebate is designed to provide businesses with financial flexibility in the face of economic uncertainty, particularly in response to challenges such as U.S. trade policies and tariffs. Lang also affirmed that this employer-focused initiative does not come at the expense of safety investments. The WSIB is simultaneously investing in long-term safety improvements, including a newly launched $65 million, 10-year research initiative focused on preventing musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries—Ontario’s most frequently reported workplace injury.
This rebate follows an earlier $2 billion refund issued in the same year and reflects the Ford government’s ongoing strategy to support employers during difficult economic conditions. While the financial relief is welcomed by many in the business community, the move has been met with criticism from labor unions and injured workers’ advocates, who argue that surplus WSIB funds should be prioritized for improving benefits and services for injured workers. The announcement thus highlights the broader debate over how best to allocate public compensation reserves in a way that balances economic development with worker protection.
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