Small businesses in Nova Scotia have been paying the highest Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) premiums in the country for far too long. On top of that, claim durations are some of the longest in Canada, leaving both employers and employees stuck in a system that just isn’t working.
For more than 20 years, business owners have been overpaying for this broken system without seeing better results for the people it’s supposed to support. It’s time for a change.
By lowering WCB premiums to the national average and shortening claim durations, we can give small businesses much-needed relief while making sure employees get back to work faster with the right support.
Bringing premiums down to the national average would mean real savings, about $590 per employee, or nearly $6,000 for a team of ten employees. For small business owners already stretched by high payroll and regulatory costs, those savings could make a big difference. Lower rates would also help make Nova Scotia more competitive, instead of keeping them near the top for the highest payroll taxes in the country.
CFIB has been standing up for small businesses every step of the way. We pushed for a full review of Nova Scotia’s WCB system, represented employers on the provincial review committee, and made sure their concerns were front and centre. We delivered more than 2,000 signed petitions to the Minister of Labour, met regularly with WCB leadership, and presented to the Law Amendments Committee on changes to the Workers’ Compensation Act. We also sat down with MLAs, opposition leaders, and elected officials from all parties to keep the pressure on.
Through this petition, we’re asking government to finally take action: keep small businesses that are currently excluded from WCB out of the system, lower Nova Scotia’s rates to match the Canadian average, and cut claim durations so employees can get back to work sooner.
Does this type of advocacy appeal to you and your small business? Become a CFIB member today!