Universal coverage
Fact sheet
Fact sheet: Universal workers' compensation coverage (November 2010) [pdf]
Most people think that all workplace accidents are covered by our compensation system. But this is not true. Ontario is the worst province in this respect. Nearly one in three workers in Ontario is not covered....
Recent initiatives & commentary
Although little has been done to develop workers' compensation coverage since its inception in 1915, Justice Meredith's foundational report states that his list was intended to be just a beginning step towards comprehensive coverage of Ontario workplaces. In 1996 the Jackson Report again called for expanded coverage; the Brock Smith Nov. 2003 report from the WSIB consultation and review of coverage recommended coverage of all Ontario's workers.
The extension of workers compensation coverage to include all workers in all workplaces in Ontario however has still not been achieved. Bill 119 (passed into law November 2008), addressing mandatory coverage in the construction industry, is an important, if small, first step towards this goal.
- WCB/WSIB consultations on implementing Bill 119 - update
- IAVGO reporting service (v. 22, no. 1) Aug. 2009: 17-38. Exclusions and omissions under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act : towards a Charter argument ⁄ Brendan McCutchen. Paper explores the possibility of a legal challenge to the exclusion of workers from WSIB coverage.
- Ministry of Labour FAQ: Mandatory workers' compensation protection to independent operators in construction (December 29, 2008) [pdf]
- Injured Workers' Consultants. Submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy re Bill 119.(November 17, 2008). Brief supports the recommendations of two public consultations calling for universal coverage.
- NDP press release: Expand WSIB coverage for all workers, Horwath says. (December 7, 2006) [pdf]
- Question to the Minister of Labour on the Brock Smith reportand extending coverage of workers' compensation. Andrea Horwath ⁄ Steve Peters. (December 7, 2006)