What's New with the WSIB? (Pt. 2)

Rate Framework Consultation

In the fall of 2012, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) announced that they would be engaging all interested stakeholders in a dialogue surrounding the core principles behind employer classification, rate setting, and experience rating. The dialogue is also open to consider options for the modernization of the WSIB Rate Framework as a whole.

In January 2013, a discussion paper was released by consultant Doug Stanley who is now accepting submissions from stakeholders. If you are interested in participating in this dialogue, there are several ways you can engage: online, through written submissions, in direct discussions with stakeholder groups, and at public hearings which will be held across the province. These public consultations commenced earlier this month with the sole purpose of receiving input and ideas from interested stakeholders and using that information to provide informed advice to the WSIB in a final report of findings.

---

Some of the questions up for consideration include:

• What principles should underlie a classification system that “fairly distributes” the cost of workplace injuries amongst employers?
• Does the system today still achieve the objective of ensuring employers pay a fair share of injury costs and align premiums to claims costs?
• Do we still accept the principle that every year employers pay the costs of injuries in that year?
• How important is it that the premium rate be reflective of a rate group’s recent cost experience?
• Could an experience rating plan be an instrument through which workers’ compensation may be modified towards a fairer allocation of the costs of industrial accidents among employers as a group?

Anna Aceto-Guerin

Results from this consultation have the potential for significant ramifications to the employer community in this province.  Understanding how far reaching the effects could be, Anna Aceto-Guerin, owner and consultant for Clear Path Employer Services, has been participating in the Employers’ Advocacy Council (EAC) and is a member of the policy committee which is representing Employers’ interests in these matters.

Recently, Anna participated with the EAC Policy committee to develop a submission and the committee presented their submission directly to Mr. Stanley on April 16th.   The submission addressed all three issues and was developed with the perspective of large and small employers in mind.  As part of this committee, Anna is able to share the concerns and challenges from our clients which we see each day.

Looking for more information on how the current initiatives by WSIB will affect you or our company? Feel free to connect with Anna directly at anna@clearpathemployer.com

The full discussion paper can be accessed here: http://www.wsib.on.ca/en/community/WSIB/230/ArticleDetail/24338?vgnextoid=cde247bf3864c310VgnVCM100000469c710aRCRD&vgnextchannel=0db70b368d5dd110VgnVCM1000000e18120aRCRD

---

---

We'd love to connect with you!