OTA has learned that carriers are starting to receive rebates promised in 2024.
In response to calls from OTA and other business groups, the WSIB announced last year they would be returning $2 billion to Ontario employers through surplus rebates.
In OTA’s calls for relief, the association noted the need to provide Ontario businesses with rebates and premium rate decreases, as the Board continues to exceed funding targets. OTA noted that with a current funding ratio over 122 percent, the WSIB should begin providing employers in the province – who fund the WSIB – some relief.
As OTA outlined in its submission, the Ontario trucking industry is a major employer in the province and played a pivotal role in the WSIB’s journey to tackle its unfunded liability. Starting from the 2009 Auditors General’s report and lasting the better part of a decade, the WSIB’s financial position was greatly increased through a combination of improved administration, improved economic conditions, and sustained increases in employer premium rates. While these increases were not easy for employers, the OTA and the Ontario trucking industry still supported the WSIB throughout its journey to retiring the unfunded liability.
“We are very happy to hear from members that they are starting to see their rebates,” said Jonathan Blackham, Director of Policy and Public Affairs with OTA. “We think this is the right time to show employers some relief and are thankful that the WSIB is following through with its commitments on this front,” added Blackham.
Eligible businesses can find their credit amounts in their online services account and in their March statement of account.
To be eligible, businesses had to meet all the following eligibility requirements to receive a rebate of surplus funds starting in February 2025:
- have an active account and premium payment obligations as of November 1, 2024
- had premium obligations in 2023
- have not been convicted of a Workplace Safety and Insurance Act or an Occupational Health and Safety Act offence in a proceeding under Part III of the Provincial Offences Act, in 2024 or in 2025 up to and including the date the WSIB issues a surplus rebate
- have not been convicted in more than one such proceeding under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, or have not been convicted in more than one such proceeding under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, between 2020 and 2025 up to and including the date the WSIB issues a surplus rebate
- have not had a traumatic workplace fatality attributed to the organization in 2024 or in 2025 up to and including the date the WSIB issues a surplus rebate, or have not had more than one traumatic workplace fatality attributed to the organization between 2020 and 2025, up to and including the date the WSIB issues a surplus rebate
- must not be affiliated through common ownership with a business that:
- is ineligible to receive a surplus rebate based on the convictions criteria outlined, and
- has a traumatic workplace fatality attributed to them between 2020 and 2025, up to and including the date the WSIB issues a surplus rebate