Liberals, Tories defeat WSIB Experience Rating program motion

location: Queen's Park

date: May 14, 2008 - 7:00pm

body:

NDP Leader Howard Hampton heaped scorn on the Liberals and Tories for defeating his motion calling for an immediate moratorium on rebates and surcharges related to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s (WSIB) deeply flawed Experience Rating program until an internal board report is completed.

“Employers who are able to hide their serious injuries and reduce their compensation costs become eligible to receive a rebate from the WSIB. If they report their lost time injuries, they’re penalized. This makes absolutely no sense and simply encourages employers to under report workplace injuries and force injured workers back to work as soon as possible,” said Hampton.

His comments came during debate earlier this afternoon on the NDP’s motion to develop a plan to eliminate the WSIB’s deeply flawed Experience Rating program. The governing Liberals and opposition Tories combined to defeat the bill 50 to 9.

It is estimated that between the rebates and surcharges under the program, the money at stake for many employers can add up to millions – roughly $200-million annually throughout Ontario. In fact, it has been estimated that more than $2-billion in rebates have gone to companies in the past 10 years without any sign that the program actually reduces injuries

“This is yet another example of a McGuinty program that simply is not working and the Tories are quite comfortable with allowing it to continue,” said Hampton.

“You would think that with $2-billion going out the door in the past 10 years without any sign of improvement in the number of serious injuries and fatalities, the McGuinty government would have had plenty of time to review the program. They refuse to do so and the Tories are allowing them to get away with it.”

In addition to calling for an immediate moratorium on the Experience Rating rebates and penalties, Hampton called for an end to Experience Rating incentives to employers who contravene the Occupational Health and Safety Act. He also endorsed the OFL’s Excellence Fund proposal as a long-term alternative to the Experience Rating program.