WSIB Announces Job Cuts Across Ontario Amid Consolidation Efforts

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The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board is set to cut 466 jobs, primarily affecting back-office staff, with further job losses anticipated in the coming year, raising concerns over service delays for injured workers.

TORONTO — The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has announced a significant reduction in its workforce, laying off 466 employees across Ontario, a move that has been met with strong criticism from labor unions. The WSIB described this decision as a necessary consolidation of roles among its back-office staff involved in claims and account management, many of whom work remotely. In a statement released on Thursday, the organization acknowledged the impact of this news on affected employees and their families, stating, 'We recognize this is difficult news for impacted team members and their families.' To assist those losing their jobs, the WSIB pledged to treat everyone with fairness and respect, offering relocation opportunities, access to resumé writing and job-seeking services, as well as continued benefits, including unlimited mental health support during this transition period. The layoffs will affect employees in various cities, including Sudbury, Windsor, Thunder Bay, St. Catharines, Guelph, Sault Ste. Marie, Kingston, North Bay, and Timmins. However, the WSIB indicated that the actual number of job losses could be lower than 466, as some employees may choose to relocate instead of accepting the layoffs. Furthermore, the Ontario Compensation Employees Union, a branch of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, revealed that an additional 155 positions are expected to be cut in Waterloo within the next year. Union president Harry Goslin expressed his distress over the situation, stating, 'I’ve been dealing with this for a few days now, where we have been trying to negotiate some mitigation with the WSIB. Every day is like a gut punch.' Despite the layoffs, the WSIB assured that local teams will remain available in the affected regions to provide in-person support for individuals returning to work. However, Goslin warned that the reduction in staff would likely lead to longer wait times for services, stating, 'People will be waiting longer to get a return call. They’ll wait longer to get a decision. They’ll wait longer to get their health-care costs reimbursed, to get access to the health-care services they need, and the referrals to the return-to-work services that they rely on to get back to work.' The decision has drawn sharp criticism from political figures, including NDP critic Lise Vaugeois, who characterized the cuts as a betrayal of workers. Vaugeois pointed out that, at a time when the demand for labor in industries such as construction, forestry, and mining is on the rise, the WSIB's actions have made it significantly more challenging for workers to access the support they need. Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser also condemned the layoffs, highlighting the disproportionate impact on northern Ontario, where half of the job losses are concentrated. He noted that communities in the north have already faced challenges from tariffs, plant closures, and layoffs, with unemployment rates nearing historic highs. 'These are good, stable jobs that support families, local businesses, and regional economies,' Fraser stated. The WSIB's job cuts come amid a broader review of several large public agencies by the provincial government, as Treasury Board President Peter Bethlenfalvy announced earlier this month that the WSIB, along with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, would be subject to efficiency and productivity assessments.

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