On April 8, 2026, the Ontario government introduced a proposed legislation that would significantly expand workplace injury insurance coverage, extending Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) protections to frontline care workers across the province.
If passed, the legislation would require all privately operated residential care facilities, retirement homes and group homes to participate in the WSIB, bringing mandatory coverage to workers who are currently excluded, such as personal support workers, nurses, social workers, therapists and a range of frontline and support staff.
Employers in the affected sectors should:
- Assess whether their organization would fall under the expanded WSIB coverage requirements;
- Review payroll and classification data for impacted roles and factor in additional WSIB expenses for budgeting purposes; and
- Consult with payroll, HR or legal advisors to prepare for potential compliance obligations