It’s Time to Put Injured Workers First as WCB Surpasses 106.7% Funding

HALIFAX: The Nova Scotia Federation of Labour (NSFL) is calling on the provincial government and the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB) to improve benefits for injured workers and extend universal coverage in the workplace safety system. The call comes as WCB Nova Scotia has reached an impressive 106.7% funding status. This achievement offers the opportunity and responsibility to do the right thing for workers and families across the province. WCB Nova Scotia has set the stage for positive change with this funding milestone. However, nearly one in four workers in our province still do not have the protection of workers’ compensation,” said NSFL President Danny Cavanagh. That means 26% of working people, thousands of families, risk being left behind. This is simply unfair, and we call for universal coverage for all Nova Scotia workers now that the system is better than fully funded.

Danny Cavanagh says it’s not just possible, but necessary, to deliver concrete changes for workers. With adequate funding in place, WCB can take required steps like making sure benefits keep up with inflation, increasing the share of wages that injured workers receive, removing unfair waiting periods before benefits start, and, most importantly, expanding coverage so every worker in Nova Scotia is protected, said Cavanagh. Now is the time to put these improvements in place and make WCB work for everyone. Workers in sectors like agriculture remain exempt, and agricultural work is essential to our province; it’s also some of the most hazardous work out there, and all workers deserve protection, no exceptions, Cavanagh said.

The NSFL is urging the government to end exemptions for employers, particularly in industries like agriculture, so every worker in Nova Scotia is protected in case of workplace injury. Cavanagh continued, This is about fairness and basic decency. When a worker is hurt, they shouldn’t have to worry about whether they get support. The system is fully funded, and the money is there to make this right.

He also called on industry leaders to foster a culture of safety throughout all sectors, including agriculture. Safety isn’t something that can sit in the margins. It’s time to put a safety culture in agriculture from the ground up. Every employer and every industry must see safety as the foundation, not an afterthought. It’s time to put action behind our words. A fully funded WCB means there can be no more excuses. We need to put injured workers and workplace safety at the front of the agenda, concluded Cavanagh.