News Release
Communiqué
07-135
For Immediate Release
December 27, 2007
INJURED WORKER BENEFITS INCREASING ON JANUARY 1
Increase Helps Deserving Workers
TORONTO--Workers who have been injured on the job in Ontario will receive the second of three increases in their benefits of two-and-a-half per cent as of January 1, 2008, Labour Minister Brad Duguid said.
“Our government is committed to creating a brighter future for injured workers,” Duguid said. “We have put more money into the hands of injured workers through benefit increases and reforms to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.”
Changes in the 2007 budget enhanced the benefits for more than 155,000 injured workers by two-and-a-half per cent on July 1, 2007. Along with the two-and-a-half per cent increase on January 1, 2008, a further increase of two-and-a-half per cent will be made on January 1, 2009. Combined, these increases exceed the current rate of inflation. These increases apply to those who are permanently, partially disabled.
Before the 2007 budget announcement by the McGuinty government to provide injured workers with three increases of two-and-a-half per cent over 18 months, injured workers saw benefits increase by less than three per cent over the past 12 years.
“The McGuinty government inherited a system that was in serious jeopardy but we are well on our way to fixing it,” emphasized Duguid. “These benefit increases help injured workers and their families while we work to create a system that will truly and fairly benefit all workers.”
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For further information:
Media enquiries:
| Susan McConnell Minister's Office 416-326-7710 |
Bruce Skeaff Ministry of Labour 416-326-7405 |
