Ontario's government plans to introduce legislation to help support injured workers, improve cancer coverage for firefighters and fire investigators, and improve job protection for those diagnosed with a sudden illness.
"Whether it is an injured worker struggling to get by, a firefighter who served their community with distinction, or a young parent fighting a sudden diagnosis, we have your back," Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development David Piccini said in a statement.
If passed, the legislation would enable "super-indexing" increases to Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) benefits above the annual rate of inflation.
"For an injured worker who earns $70,000 a year, a two per cent increase could mean an additional $900 annually on top of cost-of-living adjustments, which were 6.5 per cent in 2023," the statement read.
According to the province, the current number of worker and survivor WSIB claims that are indexed to inflation each year is 134,000.
Fire fighters and fire investigators who have worked less than 25 years would also have an easier time getting benefits and services regarding esophageal cancer.
The legislation proposes lowering the length of time needed to receive automatic compensation before a diagnosis with esophageal cancer from 25 to 15 years.
"Esophageal cancer is a highly fatal cancer that is rarely detected until the cancer is in its advanced stage," said Greg Horton, President of the Ontario Professional Firefighters Association.
Horton added that recent research shows that 15 years is a more appropriate latency period and thanked the province for "recognizing that the legislation requires updating."
To help workers other than firefighters dealing with a critical illness the government intends to propose consultations for a new job-protected leave that matches the length of federal Employment Insurance sickness benefits, which is 26 weeks.
"Ontarians should be able to focus on their cancer treatment without worrying about what it means for their job or how their family will pay their bills," said Hillary Buchan-Terrell the Advocacy Manager for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Jeff Lang, the President and CEO of the WSIB agrees that the proposed changes to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, will improve the lives of people who rely on their services. "If someone gets hurt or sick from their work, we want to help them safely recover so they can get back to what matters," he said.
Currently, it's estimated that 5,000,000 workers and 325,000 employers are covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
