January 2023
Overview
The WSIB’s Framework for Operational Policy Development and Renewal describes how we keep our Operational Policy Manual documents up-to-date and clear, and provide appropriate guidance about how policies are applied. The Framework also describes our approach to stakeholder engagement in policy development. As part of that approach, each year we publish a policy agenda describing the items that we plan to review in the upcoming year.
The policy agenda gives stakeholders advance notice of anticipated items that may involve consultation. In line with the WSIB’s commitment to open communication, the policy agenda may also include items that may not require stakeholder consultation. We post all policy changes on the policy updates/clarifications page of our website.
The following factors are key drivers of the policy agenda in 2023:
- As we move forward with our Strategic Plan, in particular activities to better meet customer needs and expectations, we rely on the WSIB’s policy area for advice and support.
- A number of projects from prior years are ongoing and continue to require policy leadership, advice and support.
- We are looking at developments in science and medicine to help with evidence-based decision-making. The WSIB’s policy area will commission studies/reviews, as appropriate, to support the Occupational Disease Strategy.
- The WSIB will strive to actively gather stakeholder feedback while recognizing the finite capacity and resources of the WSIB and stakeholders.
Policy agenda 2023
In 2022, the WSIB launched a consultation related to the independent living policy suite as part of our response to recommendations in the value-for-money audit of the Serious Injury Program. We will continue the policy review in 2023, which we anticipate will include publishing any approved revisions to the suite of policies and providing ongoing implementation support and advice.
We are currently conducting a review of the rate setting approach for Temporary Employment Agencies (TEAs). As part of the review, we launched a stakeholder consultation in 2022, which was concluded in Q4 2022. We also updated policy 14-01-10, Temporary Employment Agencies Transition to the Rate Framework in 2022 to reflect the continuation of the 2022 transition approach for TEAs into 2023. In 2023, we will conclude the review and communicate the results to stakeholders. Any changes to the rate setting approach for TEAs will be implemented in 2024 at the earliest.
In early 2022, we added Parkinson’s disease as a new occupational disease to Schedule 3 under the General Regulation, and have now implemented the three foundational pillars of the Occupational Disease Strategy. Throughout 2022, we consulted on and released our Occupational Disease Policy Framework, established the Scientific Advisory Table on Occupational Disease, and continued to leverage our Research and Grants Program to gather high quality scientific evidence to support occupational disease policy efforts.
The final report for the asbestos and gastrointestinal cancer grant will be received in early 2023, and we expect to review the results of this report with the Scientific Advisory Table to inform future policy guidance.
As part of the WSIB’s consultation on the Occupational Disease Policy Framework, stakeholders identified exposures of interest – silica, benzene and trichloroethylene (TCE). The WSIB, with support of the Scientific Advisory Table, has also identified these occupational risk factors for review. In 2023, the WSIB will investigate the association between silica and lung cancer, benzene and acute myeloid leukemia, and TCE and kidney cancer.
Additional research grants may be identified to support the ongoing implementation of the Occupational Disease Strategy.
The WSIB will also continue its noise-induced hearing loss policy analysis and will monitor relevant changes in other jurisdictions.
In 2023, policy work will be required to support the organizational approach related to potential revisions to the in-year rate adjustment process.
The WSIB will continue to provide advice in support of its efforts to better meet customer needs and expectations and maintain policy capacity to support any potential legislative changes.