INFORMATION BULLETIN
For Immediate Release 2002SDL0037-001089 June 21, 2002		Ministry of Skills Development and Labour
WORKERS' COMPENSATION CHANGES EFFECTIVE JUNE 30

VICTORIA – Changes to workers’ compensation benefits come into effect on June 30, 2002.

Benefits for workers injured after June 30 will now be based on 90 per cent of the worker’s average net earnings instead of 75 per cent of gross earnings.  Wage loss benefits will also cease at age 65. 

Workers with a permanent disability will receive a lump sum payment as a retirement benefit, which can be used to buy an annuity.  The lump sum is an additional amount that WCB sets aside each month, which equals five percent of the monthly WCB benefit, plus interest.  The worker may also choose to contribute to this benefit.  Workers who receive a Canada Pension Plan disability benefit for the same injury will have their WCB benefit reduced by 50 per cent of their CPP benefit.

These changes do not affect workers currently receiving WCB benefits for a permanent disability calculated under the old rules.

Wage loss benefits for all workers with permanent injuries will be adjusted for inflation once a year, on Jan. 1, at the rate of inflation minus one per cent, capped at four per cent per year.

The legislation to bring these changes into effect was introduced May 13.  The changes are comparable with other provinces and are required to make the workers’ compensation system sustainable for the future.

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For more information, go to www.labour.gov.bc.ca/wcbreform on the Internet.

 

Visit the province's Web site at http://www.gov.bc.ca/ for online information and services.
Media contact:	Labour Communications Branch 250 356-1487