The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of Manitoba has more of your money than it needs, and this amount is growing! In 2017, WCB was $254 million overfunded, or 148.8% – well above its targeted funding ratio of 130%.
Victory! WCB listens and rebates $74 million to employers
On May 3rd, 2019, WCB announced that they are rebating $74 million of the surplus back to employers in 2019, while continuing to have the lowest average assessment rate in Canada ($0.95 per $100 of accessible earnings). However, we're disappointed the entire was not rebated back to you in 2019.
What does this mean for your business?
This $74 million rebate amounts to a credit of 40 per cent of each employer's 2018 premiums paid. The credits will show up on your next WCB statement.
CFIB delivers over 2,500 signed petitions to Premier Pallister and Minister Pedersen
The fight continues
We will keep pushing the WCB of Manitoba to refund to entire remaining surplus back to employers in 2020.
CFIB met with Premier Brian Pallister and Minister Blaine Pedersen in July, 2018 to raise this important issue. We delivered over 2,500 signed petitions calling for a rebate of the entire $254 million surplus.
Results to date:
- May 3, 2019: WCB announced the first surplus rebate ($74 million) is being refunded to employers in 2019.
- February 21, 2019: CFIB sent a letter to WCB's Board of Directors highlighting new research about the need for a surplus rebate.
- December 17, 2018: CFIB met with WCB's President and CEO, Winston Maharaj about the need for a surplus rebate.
- September 26, 2018: The government of Manitoba announced that it will no longer include WCB funds in the province's summary accounts.
- July 12, 2018: CFIB met with Premier Pallister and Minister Blaine Pedersen to deliver over 2,500 signed petitions from CFIB members calling for a surplus rebate.
- February 27, 2018: CFIB met with Hon. Blaine Pedersen, the Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade, about the need for a better employer-employee balance during the WCB Act, SAFE Work, and Workplace Safety &Health Act reviews.
- December 6, 2017: CFIB met with Deputy Premier Heather Stefanson and Minister Pedersen about the urgent need for WCB to rebate its surplus funds back to employers.
- September 19, 2017: CFIB met with Minister Pedersen to review CFIB’s key priorities for Manitoba’s WCB Act Review, and delivered over 1,350 signed petitions calling on WCB to refund excess premiums.
- February, 2017: CFIB submitted your views to the The Workers Compensation Act Legislative Review Committee’s (2016) review of Manitoba’s Workers Compensation Act. This is the first such review in 10 years.
- July, 2016: CFIB launched an aggressive campaign: Urging Manitoba WCB to stop overcharging employers!
Workers Compensation Board Act Review 2016:
CFIB is also working hard to raise your concerns with the Workers Compensation Board Act during its ongoing review. In addition to a rebate, WCB needs to improve customer service, and build a better employer-employee balance in decision making. Read CFIB’s submission to the Act Review.
CFIB’s recommendations for the WCB Act Review:
Financial accountability:
- Change WCB’s current targeted funding position of 130% to a funding ratio (total assets over total liabilities) between 100% and 110%;
- Rebate surplus monies when the funded status rises above a threshold of 110%;
- A surplus should be rebated in the year it is realized, similar to Alberta.
Cost of premiums:
- Improve the speed at which an injured worker is sent for diagnostic testing and referred to a specialist - with a goal of reducing wait times to zero.
Claims management:
- Establish an independent office of the Employer Advocate to provide meaningful support to small business.
Rate setting and assessments:
- A maximum insurable earnings limit should be established in the calculation of workers’ compensation premiums and benefits;
- Modifications be made to the assessment system to introduce some elements of occupational classification, for example, a clerical rate;
- Allow businesses to buy their workplace disability insurance coverage from a private insurer (not the workers’ compensation system).
Classification and assessment:
- Ensure all classification and premium information is communicated to small business employers in plain language;
- Allow employers to pay premiums based on actual, rather than estimated, payroll.
Customer service:
- Provide training to front–line staff to ensure they are knowledgeable about the needs of small businesses;
- Clearly define record keeping requirements;
- Adapt working hours to suit needs of small business.
Join the fight for the rest your money back!
Help us tell WCB that they should rebate 100% of the surplus. Sign our Action Alert: Urging Manitoba WCB to refund employers! Once signed, please return it by fax to (204) 982-0811 or scan and email it to [email protected].
Have questions about WCB or your surplus rebate?
Contact Business Resources at 1-888-234-2232 or email [email protected].
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