This bill updates the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. It makes employers in residential care facilities, such as retirement homes and senior residences, and in group homes, subject to the same insurance requirements as other major industries. This means these employers will now be classified as Schedule 1 employers, which have specific legal and financial responsibilities under the Act. The bill will come into effect six months after it is officially approved.
If you work or are planning to work in a residential care facility or group home in Ontario, your employer will now be required to follow more comprehensive workplace safety and insurance rules. These changes aim to improve health and safety protections and ensure that workers can access insurance benefits if they get injured on the job. For residents or family members, this could lead to better safety standards and more consistent coverage of injuries or accidents.
Since the bill does not include a fiscal note or detailed financial estimates, the exact costs are unclear. Broadly, making these employers Schedule 1 may increase their insurance premiums because they will now be required to contribute to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). The precise increase in costs depends on the number of workers and the insurance premiums set by WSIB. Data unavailable.
Supporters believe this change will improve safety for workers in residential care and group homes. By making these facilities subject to existing insurance requirements, advocates say workers will have better access to injury benefits and protections. It could also lead to improved workplace safety standards in industries that serve vulnerable populations, like seniors and children. Proponents argue this aligns with the goal of providing fair and comprehensive safety coverage to more groups of workers.
Opponents may raise concerns about the potential increase in costs for employers, especially smaller facilities or those operating on tight budgets. These increased insurance premiums could lead to higher costs for running homes, which might be passed on to residents through higher fees. Critics might also worry that some employers could face financial strain or even reduce staffing or services to manage new expenses. Data unavailable to quantify these impacts.