Would increase amount payable to injured workers, number of workers having full wages covered
New Brunswick has proposed changes to improve benefits for injured workers.
The provincial government is making legislative amendments to make workers eligible for more compensation when they are injured.
“We are proud to introduce changes that will see the amount payable to injured workers increase from 85 to 90 per cent of their regular earnings,” said Greg Turner, minister of post-secondary education, training and labour. “The strong funding position we have helped WorkSafeNB obtain will also allow for an increase to the maximum annual earnings of injured workers.”
This is a positive development for workers, said Tim Petersen, WorkSafeNB’s president and CEO.
“Increasing the loss of earnings benefit is a significant step towards providing greater financial stability for those who need it most, when they need it most. This will give injured workers added peace of mind and help them focus on their rehabilitation,” he said.
Recently, a report noted the Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) “will likely be paying out millions in retroactive compensation” following a change in how it interprets “suitable work available in the job market” as it applies to foreign workers who are injured in a workplace in Canada.
New Brunswick is also refining how WorkSafeNB calculates Maximum Annual Earnings (MAE). MAE represents the highest amount of earnings per worker that an employer would pay premiums on and serves as the upper limit for calculating workers' compensation benefits, said WorkSafeNB.
The multiplier is now 1.6, up from the previous 1.5, said organization. As a result, the MAE is set to increase from $76,900 to $82,100, which will result in more workers having their full wages covered in 2025.
The changes follow WorkSafeNB’s recent rate reduction for employers in the province, noted WorkSafeNB.
“We have carefully balanced the needs of our stakeholders with the sustainability of our system, with stable assessment rates for employers, while providing the benefits our injured workers and their families deserve,” said Mel Norton, WorkSafeNB’s board chairperson.
The proposed changes from WorkSafeNB’s review and consultations with workers and employers. They align the province with other jurisdictions, noted WorkSafeNB.
The legislative changes in New Brunswick would apply to the Workers’ Compensation Act and the Firefighters’ Compensation Act. If approved, the changes would take effect July 1.
Recently, Ontario and British Columbia enhanced benefits for firefighters in their respective provinces.
