Non-profit organizations across the province are welcoming the province's freeze on workplace insurance rate increases, according to Newmarket-Aurora MPP Christine Elliott.
“Every day, non-profits are there for the people of Ontario,” said Christine Elliott, the MPP of Newmarket-Aurora. “Today we’re proud to be there for them.”
The Ontario government stepped in and worked with the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) to halt planned increases for five years, she added.
Without a freeze, nearly 2,700 non-profits, including daycares, legions, charities, women’s shelters and others, would have faced increases in their workplace safety insurance premiums. In the case of legions, most were facing 300 per cent increases, Elliott said.
A further 1,600 non-profits will see their rates go down as of January 2020, a news release states.
Elliott visited Newmarket-based DeafBlind Ontario Services Oct. 17 to announce the freeze and hear about its impact of the freeze on a local non-profit organization.
"Today’s announcement demonstrates the Government of Ontario’s strong commitment to providing supports so that vulnerable populations have every opportunity to thrive," said Karen Keyes, COO, DeafBlind Ontario Services. "The cost savings from these reductions to the WSIB premiums will be redirected into continuing to provide high-quality services for individuals with deafblindness."
More than 4,600 non-profit organizations in Ontario are registered with the WSIB.
“Non-profits and charities contribute $50 billion to Ontario's economy, creating jobs and supporting meaningful volunteer opportunities. For non-profit employers that are registered with WSIB, premiums are a growing cost pressure," said Cathy Taylor, executive director of the Ontario Nonprofit Network. "ONN appreciates the Government of Ontario and the WSIB freezing rate increases for non-profit employers, and recognizing the economic and social impact of nonprofits and charities on communities.”
Also, under the new WSIB framework, a 17 per cent reduction will be implemented on the average premium rate. Approximately three-quarters of employers paying WSIB premiums will see a rate decrease under the new system, the news release said.