WSIB-Raise the Benefits not the premium
- 5 min read
- May 4, 2026
Raising the Benefits, Not the Premiums
Premier Doug Ford, alongside the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, the Hon. David Piccini, recently announced a landmark proposal to increase benefits for injured workers under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). If passed, these changes will raise loss‑of‑earnings (LOE) benefits from 85 per cent to 90 per cent of a worker’s take‑home pay, the first increase in income‑replacement benefits in nearly 30 years.
At the same time, the government is proposing to extend WSIB support beyond age 65 to reflect the reality that more Ontarians are working later in life. Eligible workers who reasonably expected to remain in the workforce would be able to continue receiving benefits past 65, rather than facing an automatic cut‑off that no longer matches today’s labour‑market patterns.
A Shift Made Possible by Strong Leadership
This notable shift in policy has been made possible by the leadership of Jeff Lang, who took the helm at the WSIB in 2022 and has since driven a transformation in how the organization operates. Working closely with stakeholders, healthcare providers, and internal management, Lang has pushed the WSIB toward greater efficiency, cost control, and strategic deployment of its substantial asset base.
Under his tenure, the WSIB has not only held premium rates to a 50-year low, but has also delivered the only three surplus rebates in the organization’s 110-year history — returning $5.2 billion to safe Ontario businesses to invest in jobs, technology and health and safety programs. WSIB-sponsored programs have simultaneously expanded to support mental health initiatives, musculoskeletal injury prevention, and other priority areas, making the board one of the larger funders of research into PTSD, MSI, and similar workplace health issues.
“One of the most important services we provide is income replacement for people who miss work because of an injury or illness. Raising income replacement to 90 per cent would help give people peace of mind so they can focus on their recovery and have a safe and timely return to work. "
— Jeff Lang, President and CEO, WSIB
Premier Ford has framed this move as part of a broader commitment to protecting workers while keeping Ontario competitive.
In a joint statement, the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development underscored the importance of aligning the system with modern workforce realities.
“A workplace injury doesn’t stop being compensable at a certain age, and neither should a worker’s coverage. This proposal modernizes WSIB coverage, so it works for the workers of today and tomorrow.”
— Hon. David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
Getting the Right Resources to the Front Line
Former WSIB Chief Privacy Officer Ron Kelusky captured the cultural shift in one line that also serves as a guiding principle:
“It’s all about the right resources efficiently being deployed at the right time.”
— Ron Kelusky, former Chief Prevention Officer, MLITSD
Business leaders in the occupational health and safety sector have also noted a marked change in how the WSIB engages with the front line.
“In our 21 years in business we haven’t seen this level of participation by the government and WSIB to improve safety in Ontario, and we feel this is really making a difference on the ground.”
— Sobi Ragunathan, VP, 4S Consulting Services
With premiums effectively frozen or reduced and core benefits strengthened, the current direction suggests the WSIB is moving toward a model where better outcomes for injured workers and better incentives for safe workplaces go hand in hand.
Under his tenure, the WSIB has not only held premium rates to a 50‑year low, but has also delivered the only three surplus‑rebates in the organization’s 110 year history, returning $5.2 billion to safe Ontario businesses to invest in jobs, technology and health and safety programs. At the same time, WSIB‑sponsored programs have expanded to support mental‑health initiatives, musculoskeletal‑injury prevention, and other priority areas, making the board one of the larger funders of research into PTSD, MSI, and similar workplace health issues.
“One of the most important services we provide is income replacement for people who miss work because of an injury or illness. Raising income replacement to 90 per cent would help give people peace of mind so they can focus on their recovery and have a safe and timely return to work. "
— Jeff Lang, President and CEO, WSIB
A Shared Step Toward Safer Workplaces
Ontario’s WSIB rebates and premium cuts are more than policy they’re an invitation to act.
Whether you need to optimize your safety programs, enhance employee training, or develop a safety-first culture, 4S Consulting and 4SafeCom™ can help you achieve your compliance goals.
