Legislative Amendments Aim to Improve Benefits for Injured Workers in New Brunswick

May 17, 2024

The provincial government has introduced legislative amendments meant to improve benefits for injured workers and their families while ensuring sustainability of the workers’ compensation system.

The changes, if approved, would apply to the Workers’ Compensation Act and the Firefighters’ Compensation Act.

“We are proud to introduce changes that will see the amount payable to injured workers increase from 85 to 90 per cent of their regular earnings,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Greg Turner. “The strong funding position we have helped WorkSafeNB obtain will also allow for an increase to the maximum annual earnings of injured workers.”

Maximum annual earnings represents the maximum earnings per worker on which an employer pays premiums. It also serves as the upper limit for calculating workers’ compensation benefits. The figure is currently set at $76,500 but the amendments would adjust the formula, increasing the figure to $82,100, and result in more injured workers having their full wages covered in 2025.

“We have carefully balanced the needs of our stakeholders with the sustainability of our system; first by establishing stable assessment rates for employers, and now providing the benefits our injured workers and their families deserve,” said Mel Norton, WorkSafeNB’s board chairperson.

The amendments reflect recommendations stemming from a review by WorkSafeNB and its consultations with workers and employers.

“This historic increase will see rates reach levels not seen since 1992, and we know that this will mean more money in the pockets of New Brunswickers as we work to help them with the rising cost of living,” said Turner.

The changes would take effect on July 1.

Source