The first half of 2017 saw significant improvements in our financial position, along with better outcomes for people who were injured at work.
One highlight for this quarter is that the percentage of people successfully finding employment after completing a Work Transition Plan has steadily increased. In the first half of 2017, nearly nine out of ten Schedule 1 participants (89 per cent) found employment after completing their Work Transition Plan compared to 83 per cent at the same point in 2016. For Schedule 2 participants, 97 per cent found employment, which was comparable to 2016 (98 per cent).
We also continue to see a high proportion of claims treated through at least one of our integrated health care programs such as Specialty Clinics and Programs of Care. In the first half of 2017, 43 per cent of Schedule 1 claims and 51 per cent of Schedule 2 claims were treated through these programs. Programs such as these help to keep the percentage of workers who experience a permanent impairment low. For 2017, year to date, fewer people with workplace injuries are experiencing permanent impairments from their injuries or illnesses (5.9 per cent of Schedule 1 claims, down from 6.0 per cent over the same period last year).
To ensure we are financially sustainable in the long-term and can continue to provide support to those we serve, we are working to eliminate our unfunded liability and we made significant strides this quarter.
As of June 30, 2017, our unfunded liability on a Sufficiency Ratio basis was approximately $2.6 billion. This is a decrease of $1.4 billion since December 31, 2016. This corresponds to a Sufficiency Ratio* of 91.8 per cent.
Read the 2017 Q2 Report to Stakeholders (PDF) to learn more about our operational and financial results.
* The Sufficiency Ratio is an objective measure to track our progress toward sustainable funding.