THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay & Dist. Injured Workers’ Support Group along with Advocacy North will be hosting an Injured Worker Outreach Forum on Wednesday, October 3rd at 6 PM and continuing October 4th from 9 AM – 4 PM.
This comes on the heels of a recent announcement by the Ontario PC Government of a 30% reduction in assessment fees Ontario businesses pay to the WSIB for coverage of their workers in case of injury or disease. 20 years ago, the then Harris Government also reduced fees paid by employers. By 2009, this shortfall of revenue created a crisis that led the WSIB to cut costs, i.e. benefits for injured workers.
In fact, from 2010 – 2017, the total benefits (both healthcare and wage loss) paid out by the WSIB were reduced by over 50%. This has certainly created a crisis for many injured workers with serious injuries and their families.
This reduction in employers’ rates signals a continuation of the WSIB policy of cutting benefits for injured workers. Workers and their families must become educated about their rights and how to uphold them in order to protect themselves following a workplace injury or disease.
The Injured Worker Outreach Forum will bring in experts offering workshops on WSIB, Employment Standards, Workplace Accommodation, Human Rights and alternate income support programs. One on one legal information will be available along with information on community programs that can help. Peer support will round out the activities. And food will be available throughout the two days. All this is free of charge.
The Injured Worker Outreach Forum will be held at the Christ Lutheran Church at 47 Walkover Street in Thunder Bay (behind McDonald’s on Red River Road).
For more information, call 622-8897 or 472-6910.
Steve Mantis
