For the Record: Clarifications about Randy Hillier's claims
The WSIB wishes to correct some inaccuracies in information posted on a website of Randy Hillier, MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington.
Hillier's claim:
That small businesses are required to repay claims expenses, and that they receive premium increases when claims are made.
Clarification
The majority of employers are covered under no-fault, collective liability insurance. They are covered for all claims and administrative costs through their premiums, which are set each year based on the collective claims costs and injury frequency of their industry rate groups.
Administrative fees
No additional administrative fees are charged when claims are made. The only exception applies to the (mostly large government) employers covered under Schedule 2 of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. These employers do not pay premiums, so they are charged separately for claims administration.
Incentive programs
Under the WSIB's financial incentive programs, employers may experience increased WSIB costs after a workplace injury but, conversely, they may also experience cost reductions if they improve safety in their workplaces.
Hillier's claim:
The WSIB is a monopoly that does not work for workers and employers, and that private insurance can offer a more cost-effective alternative.
Clarification
This statement is not supported by the evidence.
WSIB benefits
Benefits paid by the WSIB ordinarily are higher, and cover a broader range of services than are included in the great majority of private insurance policies.
Some examples of how WSIB coverage is better than private:
- Benefit rates can exceed the 66 per cent wage loss rate ordinarily paid by private insurance companies.
- Benefits include Loss of Retirement Income paid to injured workers from age 65.
- Special allowances paid to severely impaired workers including Independent Living Allowance.
- Workers covered by the WSIB have the right to Labour Market Re-entry assessments and plans.
- There is no cap for covered workers on health care benefits.
- Survivor benefits can include lump sum and monthly awards for spouses and dependent children and no limits are placed on benefits for funeral expenses.
- Return to work and prevention support and tools are provided.
Customer satisfaction
Customer satisfaction levels among workers and employers remain high, with the majority of respondents reporting a positive overall impression of the WSIB.
New services
Our new eServices respond to the changing needs of our customers, providing self-service opportunities for workers and employers to access information and transact business with the WSIB through a new secure eChannel.
Hillier's claim:
That the underground economy endangers workers.
Clarification
The WSIB agrees that the underground economy is a problem that needs to be addressed.
Employers must comply with the legislation
All employers covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act register and report their payroll information accurately. Premiums are tax deductable, and covered employers are protected, under the legislation, from lawsuits.
The legislation protects workers
All workers who are compulsorily covered under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act are entitled to all the services and benefits that entails regardless of whether their employer registers with, or pays premiums to, the WSIB.
Compliance programs and initiatives
The WSIB has a range of programs and initiatives in place to help ensure full compliance among employers. For example, the WSIB leads the country with the work it has done with the CRA on its joint registration program, and our Voluntary Registration policy provides favourable term to encourage employers to step forward and register.
