On October 22, 2026, Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) announced a reduction in its average premium rate for the coming year.[1] The average rate will fall to $1.18 per $100 of insurable earnings, down from $1.23 in 2026.
More than 80% of employers should see a premium rate decrease, with total savings for Ontario employers of approximately $160 million. The reduction will bring Ontario’s average premium rate to roughly 30% below the national average.
The WSIB attributes the decrease to reduced administrative costs and part of a broader plan to support jobs and investment in innovation and health and safety during ongoing economic uncertainty.
Here’s what employers need to know…
How does the WSIB determine an employer’s premium rate?
The WSIB charges each Schedule 1 employer a premium which creates an insurance fund used to run the workers’ compensation system and from which benefits are paid to injured workers.[2]
The WSIB determines a premium rate for each employer based, in part, on how their individual claims experience and insurable earnings compares with the collective claims experience and insurable earnings of the business class they belong to.
Each employer will annually receive an employer projected premium rate and an employer actual premium rate. A projected premium rate represents how much an employer should pay to fund their share of costs, as well as the collective costs of their class. An employer will not necessarily pay their employer projected premium rate for the upcoming year. However, the projection provides them with an indication of the premium rate they are heading towards in subsequent years if their claims experience, insurable earnings, and class experience remains relatively the same. An actual premium rate represents how much an employer will pay after taking into consideration: risk band limitations, previous year(s) premium rates, as well as the collective costs of their class.[3]
What should an employer do now?
1. Review your 2027 premium rate for potential changes to your rate. Beginning in November, you can access your individual 2027 premium rate statements through the WSIB’s online services. Along with your projected and actual premium rates, review the insurable earnings, claim count, and claim costs listed on your statement. If anything appears incorrect, or if you are not sure if the information is correct, we can help you assess the issue and, if appropriate, request a premium adjustment.
2. Consider additional ways to reduce your premium rate. Our team of WSIB lawyers can help you explore opportunities to further reduce your rate, including helping you:
- return injured workers to work sooner by proactively managing the return-to-work process
- determine if a WSIB entitlement decision should be appealed
- apply for cost-reduction programs offered by the WSIB, including Transfer of Costs and the Health and Safety Excellence Program
For more information or assistance, contact the workplace safety and insurance team at Sherrard Kuzz LLP or email info@sherrardkuzz.com.
The information contained in this briefing note is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice, nor does accessing this information create a lawyer-client relationship. This article is current as of November 2026 and applies only to Ontario, Canada, or such other laws of Canada as expressly indicated. Information about the law is checked for legal accuracy as at the date the article is prepared but may become outdated as laws or policies change. For clarification or for legal or other professional assistance please contact Sherrard Kuzz LLP.
[1] WSIB, 2027 Premium Rates.
[2] A Schedule 2 employer does not pay premiums. Instead, it pays the cost of each WSIB claim, directly.
[3] Operational Policy Manual, OPM 14-02-01.
