Province to Enhance Benefits for Injured Workers; Workers’ Compensation Board Plans Rate Cut

New legislation will strengthen benefits for people injured at work and their families.

As well, the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) of Nova Scotia plans to reduce the average employer rate in 2027 – the first rate cut in more than 30 years.

Amendments to the Workers’ Compensation Act will make it easier for people who are injured at work to access the support they need, recover, return to work and care for their families, while also giving employers the tools to better support employees’ recovery.

“These amendments will provide meaningful improvements to the benefits that injured workers and their families rely on and modernize the system to ensure it is clear, fair and effective for everyone,” said Nolan Young, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration. “I’m also pleased that the Workers’ Compensation Board plans to support employers with the first rate cut in more than 30 years.”

Amendments include:

• increasing the cost-of-living adjustment for benefits from 50 per cent to 100 per cent of the consumer price index, up to three per cent annually
• expanding presumptive cancer coverage to include wildland firefighters and fire investigators
• modernizing the definition of “spouse” from “husband and wife”
• extending the appeals period for claim decisions from 30 to 90 days
• expanding survivor benefits, including changes so benefits may be paid to an estate when no dependents exist
• requiring employers to report a workplace injury within two days instead of five
• making it clear that employers can access reports on functional abilities to better support people injured at work in their recovery.

The first comprehensive review of the workers’ compensation system in over 20 years was released in August 2024, based on input from more than 1,000 Nova Scotians. The legislation also builds on the Stronger Workplaces for Nova Scotia Act passed in September 2024.

Pending ongoing financial sustainability, WCB is determined to reduce employer rates – made possible due to the efforts of workers, employers and many partners over the years to reduce the impact of workplace injury through prevention and return to work. Details of the 2027 employer rate reduction will be announced in 2026.

Modernizing the Workers’ Compensation Act is part of government’s broader efforts to create safer, more supportive workplaces across the province.

Quotes:

“This is a good news story and long overdue positive change, made possible through a responsible strategic plan, and our strong partnership with government. And this is only the start. By continuing to work together, we can continue the progress we are making.”
— Karen Adams, Chief Executive Officer, WCB Nova Scotia

“We welcome these long-overdue changes to the Workers’ Compensation Act. Increasing the cost-of-living indexing from 50 per cent to 100 per cent is a significant step forward for injured workers and their families, who have been left behind for far too long. We are also encouraged to see presumptive cancer coverage extended to wildland firefighters, who put their health and lives at risk to protect our communities. These improvements, among others, demonstrate that when workers and their unions advocate for fairness, progress can be achieved. There is still more work to do to make the compensation system truly fair, but today’s announcement is a meaningful gain for working people in Nova Scotia.”
— Danny Cavanagh, President, Nova Scotia Federation of Labour

Quick Facts:

• the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia provides workplace injury insurance to more than 20,000 employers and their 395,000 workers across the province

Additional Resources:

Bills tabled in the legislature are available at: https://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/bills-statutes/bills/assembly-65-session-1

News release – Committee Report Released with Recommendations for Workers’ Compensation System: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/08/30/committee-report-released-recommendations-workers-compensation-system

News release – Stronger Workplaces for Nova Scotia Act Introduced: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/09/05/stronger-workplaces-nova-scotia-act-introduced