Permanent disability compensation
Permanent disability compensation is an issue because the compensation is disappearing even though the permanent disabilities are not. One of the founding principles of workers' compensation established by Meredith was compensation for as long as the disability lasts. Lifelong pensions for lifelong disabilities was a cornerstone.
This era ended in 1989 when Bill 162 came into force. Wage loss payments never fully recognized the impact of permanent disabilities. The obligation to re-employ injured workers in their old job was no help to those who were not able to perform their old job. Bill 99 further reduces permanent disability compensation because a job does not even have to be available for the Board to deem an injured worker to have the earnings from it.
The system pretends that with a little training, the permanently disabled are on a level playing field with the able bodied competing for the same jobs. But systemic discrimination is still a reality for the vast majority of injured workers with permanent disabilities. About 80% are currently unemployed in spite of the Boards efforts. They are the last hired, the first fired and the worst paid. As long as this remains true, the compensation system must recognize this in benefits and services.