“More empty promises,” NDP MPPs say injured workers deserve better

QUEEN’S PARK – Ontario NDP critic for WSIB and Injured Workers Lise Vaugeois (Thunder Bay – Superior North) issued the following statement in response to the Ford government’s latest announcement on WSIB changes:

“Since 2019, this government has gifted billions in WSIB premiums back to employers, but the misery of injured workers hasn’t changed.

“Tens of thousands remain in poverty. Instead of taking action that would have real and lasting impacts for workers—like ending the practice of deeming or increasing loss-of-earnings rates from 85% to 90% to lift workers out of poverty. The massive surpluses generated by the WSIB are a direct result of the massive denial rates to workers injured or made ill on the job. The Ford government is serving up empty promises of trickle-down benefits. Injured workers deserve better.”

ADDITIONAL QUOTE:

MPP Jamie West, Ontario NDP Labour critic

“The government’s promise to reward companies with rebates if they haven’t had more than one conviction in four years is a joke—especially when weak enforcement means fewer convictions. While some provisions, like fee reductions for apprentices, are welcome, this announcement does nothing for injured workers. It could have been about putting $2.5 billion back into their pockets. Instead, the Ford government chose to prioritize bad employers over vulnerable workers.”