Contributing to the economic prosperity of Ontario
We work to strengthen our communities and contribute to the economic prosperity of our province by easing the burdens caused by workplace injuries and illnesses.
- We alleviate the financial stress on injured or ill people and their families by replacing lost wages and covering medical expenses
- We keep jobs in Ontario, supporting a stable workforce
- We help businesses maintain their operations
- We help ensure that injured or ill people and their families can continue to participate in society as much as possible, contributing to the province’s economic activity.
Reducing the duration and cost of claims has a positive impact on our health care, social, and legal systems, leading to cost savings. Investing in health and safety helps businesses stay productive with less absenteeism, lower onboarding costs, and reduced turnover.
As one of the largest insurance organizations in North America, covering over five million people and 300,000 workplaces across Ontario, we’re here to help in more ways than one.
How we’re making real economic impact
Rate reductions are making a positive impact
From 2015 to 2023 the premium rate has declined from $2.57 to $1.30 per $100 of insurable earnings. Based on an analysis by Deloitte, this reduction in rates has resulted in significant savings for Ontario businesses and a positive impact for our economy.
Rate reductions have resulted in significant savings for Ontario businesses
$14.9 billion
saved (2016–2023)
$300 million
in savings
2017
$3.6 billion
in savings
2023
Savings from WSIB rate reductions have resulted in increased business investment in Ontario.
$2 billion
increase in business investment (2016–2023)
$2.7 billion
increase in consumer spending (2016–2023)
Increase in investment and consumer spending has had a positive impact on Ontario’s gross domestic product and level of employment.
$4 billion
growth in Ontario’s economy (2016–2023)
$930 million
growth in real GDP (2023)
8,000
jobs supported (2023)
Support for businesses (2022-2023)
- Maintained the lowest premium rates in more than 20 years, despite inflationary and other economic pressures, averaging $1.30 in 2023 and 2024
- Introduced double rebates for smaller businesses participating in the Health and Safety Excellence program in 2022 and maintained the incentive in 2023 and 2024
- Launched new online services for businesses to access real-time claim information 24/7
- Introduced ability for businesses to report and pay premiums through their online banking and CRA My Business Account
- Moved all account statements online so businesses could access them in one convenient location – contributing to business enrollment in our online services more than doubling to 75% in 2023
- Introduced a new initiative to provide enhanced support to target businesses with their unique needs and challenges when it comes to preventing workplace injuries or illnesses or helping their people return to work after an incident happens.
Financial support
We deliver on our mandate to provide no-fault liability insurance for Ontario businesses, and all of their employees – even those who are only here part of the year.
Foreign agricultural workers come to Ontario to work our farms, grow our food, and contribute to our economy. If they get hurt or are made ill while they do it, we owe it to them to be there to help and our responsibility does not end when they return to their home country.
If a foreign agricultural worker is injured or made ill at work, we will:
- Stay in contact with the person throughout their recovery and return to work, whether they are in Ontario or their home country, to make sure that they receive the care and support they need.
- Pay for their travel to and from medical appointments.
- Help them with finding health care treatment in Ontario or their home country and pay the providers directly.
In September 2023 we also launched a review to make sure that our approach to handling foreign agricultural workers’ claims is consistent and fair.
"We want it to be surprisingly easy to work with us and make a real, long-lasting, positive difference in the lives of people impacted by a workplace injury or illness."
Gavin Pokan, Chief Operating Officer
Supporting return to work
Our return-to-work program helps injured or ill people return to work as soon as they are able, reducing the duration of wage-loss replacement benefits and minimizing the economic impact of workplace injuries in the long-term.
79%
of people are issued loss-of-earnings payment within 15 days
96%
of lost-time claim decisions made within 10 business days
87%
of injured or ill people returned to work within three months
Over the last three years, when we adjust for the increase in lost-time claims, improved return-to-work outcomes have resulted in 1.4 million days added back to the Ontario economy.
Setting fair rates
Our premium rate-setting approach ensures businesses contribute fairly to the insurance fund by paying a rate reflective of their industry and individual claims experience.
The premiums we collect allow us to provide loss-of-earnings benefits to support people who aren't able to work so they can maintain their income and continue to participate in the economy. We also cover medical expenses, which alleviates additional economic burdens on our health care system. Because injured or ill people can access treatment and support through the WSIB’s network of providers, they are not relying solely on the public health care system to receive care.
Promoting health and safety
We provide resources, training and education, financial incentives, consultation services and support for implementing return-to-work plans.
Promoting safe work practices and providing resources to businesses improves their safety record, reducing the number of workplace injuries. This lowers incidence of people missing work due to injury and the associated economic costs. Our Health and Safety Excellence program is Ontario's only rebate program for health and safety.