WCB Announces Public Consultation on Extending Coverage to Manitoba Industries

Today the Board of Directors of the Workers Compensation Board announced the organization is seeking comments from the public regarding the addition of industries to the workers compensation program.

In 2005, the Manitoba Government made a public commitment to extend workers compensation coverage as part of its response to Working for Manitoba, the 2005 report of the Legislative Review Committee on The Workers Compensation Act.

The Review Committee unanimously recommended that WCB coverage “be extended over a three- to five-year period beginning with the inclusion of higher-risk workplaces that are not already covered”. After consulting with employers and workers in affected industries, certain industries were added to the compensation system effective January 1, 2007.

Even with the addition of these industries, Manitoba still has the lowest level of coverage of any Canadian workers compensation system. An extension would ensure that Manitoba is better able to attract and retain workers in a very competitive labour market.

“The Manitoba Government has asked us to do a broad consultation with our stakeholders before extending workers compensation coverage,” said WCB Chairperson Tom Farrell. “It’s important to us to know what’s on the minds of our stakeholders before the government engages in a significant extension.”

The Workers Compensation Board will review submissions from stakeholders and make a report to the Manitoba Government. The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2008 and all submissions will remain confidential.

“We have many means available to the public for providing submissions to make sure the consultation process is thorough,” added Farrell. “We will be sending out notices, placing ads in papers across the province and making a consultation paper available to all on our website.”

An extension of workers compensation coverage would not be compulsory to self-employed individuals who do not employ workers.

The Manitoba WCB is a mutual injury and disability insurance agency governed by a Board of Directors representative of employers, workers and the public interest and funded by employer premiums. The WCB insures approximately 70% of the workers in Manitoba, employed by over 26,000 registered employers.

For more information contact:

Warren Preece

Director of Communications

Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba

(204)-954-4113

1-800-362-3340

Email: wcb@wcb.mb.ca