News & Noteworthy Decisions
Ontario Introduces Bill 105: Proposed WSIA Changes with Significant Implications for Workplace Parties
On April 20, 2026, the Ontario Government introduced Bill 105, proposing an increase in the LOE payable rate, benefits past age 65 and changes to post-72-month lock-in LOE adjustments.
WSIB Presumptive PTSD in First Responders Policy Undergoes Overhaul Without Stakeholder Consultation
On February 4, 2026, the WSIB announced significant and at least somewhat controversial changes to WSIB Policy 15-03-13, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in First Responders and Other Designated Workers. Read about the updates, including changes to criteria for the rebuttal of work-relatedness.
WSIB Labour Disruption Comes to an End (as of July 6, 2025)
On July 6, 2025, the WSIB announced the end of the 6-week long labour disruption. Be aware of several important transitional measures as the WSIB transitions to regular service levels.
Judicial Review: Ontario Court Overrules Several WSIAT Decisions Relating to Presumptive Cancer
Earlier this year, the Ontario Superior Court overturned three WSIAT decisions that awarded presumptive entitlement to cancer claims for Communications Dispatchers, ruling the WSIAT decisions were unreasonable and illogical. This landmark ruling restores evidentiary balance and highlights important aspects of rebutting presumptive entitlement.
Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025 (Bill 30): New Proposed Penalties and Offences for Ontario Employers
Workers Seven Act, 2025 (Bill 30), proposes significant amendments to employment-related statutes. If passed, Bill 30 will impact Ontario employers by introducing new administrative penalties and offences.
May 2025 WSIB Labour Disruption: What You Need to Know
On May 21, 2025, WSIB employees began strike action. What does this mean for WSIB stakeholders?
Notable WSIB Policy Changes: Policy #18-02-02 – Determining Short Term Average Earnings
In the last year, the WSIB has made two (2) changes to the Short Term Earnings (STE) policy, both of which are important for employers to understand when they are filing their Form 7 or otherwise providing a workers’ earnings to the WSIB for the purpose of Loss of Earnings (LOE) benefit entitlement.
WSIB Introduces New Classification for Temporary Employment Agencies effective January 1, 2025
The WSIB is moving forward with its January 1, 2025 implementation of a new classification for Temporary Employment Agencies related to the supply of administrative, clerical and knowledge-based labour. The new classification will be added to Class L: Professional, Scientific and Technical (2025 base rate of $0.18 per every $100 of insurable earnings).
WSIB Announces Surplus Rebate Distribution for Schedule 1 Employers (February 2025)
The WSIB has announced plans to issue surplus funds to eligible Schedule 1 businesses beginning in February 2025. The surplus funds of approximately $2 billion represent an excess reserve earned by the WSIB’s insurance fund. This represents the second distribution of surplus funds to Ontario employers.
Tribunal Decision Denies LOE Benefits, Taking into Account Worker’s Lack of Motivation to Return to Gainful Employment
This Tribunal decision granted an employer’s appeal, ultimately reversing a 2021 ARO decision which had granted entitlement to full loss of earnings (LOE) benefits to age 65. The principal issue in this appeal was whether the seriousness of the worker’s workplace injury completely prevented them from returning to any work, including the alternate job offered by the employer.