Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | July 22, 2020 B.C. trade unions are praising proposed changes to the province’s Workers’ Compensation system, which they say restores balance with compromises the whole industry can live with. But many employer groups disagree, calling the changes poorly thought out and badly timed. “I think the system was skewed…
Read MoreLes Leyne: Businesses balk at costs of changes sought by WorkSafe B.C.
Les Leyne / Times Colonist| JULY 22, 2020 06:00 AM A few developments this week bring home the mounting frustration and anxiety the B.C. business world is facing in month five of the pandemic. For all the billions the NDP government has earmarked to cope with COVID-19 and recover from it, the economy is still reeling. Business…
Read MoreB.C. NDP stands by WorkSafeBC changes as business protests
Presuming COVID-19 infection job-related ‘contrary to medical science’ Local Papers | TOM FLETCHER | Jul. 21, 2020 Leading business organizations are calling on the B.C. government to withdraw legislation that allows presumption of viral illness as a workplace injury, changes the determination of retirement age for injured workers and makes other changes to WorkSafeBC’s policies….
Read MoreLetter to the Editor: Cost of CBAs too steep
Journal of Commerce | Paul de Jong | July 21, 2020 To the Editor; RE: BC Building Trades executive director casts doubt on coalition legal appeal, July 17, 2020 No matter how many times the executive director of the Building Trades says it, that doesn’t make it true. Andrew Mercier would be hard pressed to prove that…
Read MoreB.C. boosts benefits for injured workers, but stops short of expensive overhauls
Vancouver Sun | Rob Shaw | Jul 17, 2020 VICTORIA — B.C.’s NDP government is boosting benefits for injured workers, but stopping short of fully implementing recommendations from an expert review that would have cost the workers’ compensation system hundreds of millions of dollars during the COVID-19 pandemic. Labour Minister Harry Bains introduced legislation this…
Read MoreRecent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
July 13, 2020 Construction incident summaries are based on information obtained as soon as possible after the incidents: they are preliminary and subject to change. Details have been edited to protect workers’ privacy. See additional summaries online. Injury Type: Injury to head Core Activity: House or other wood frame contracting, construction, or renovation work Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C. Date…
Read MoreKenney charts optimistic pandemic recovery path at ICBA virtual town hall
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | July 17, 2020 Alberta Premier Jason Kenney assured the construction industry he will do everything in his power to bring investment to the province as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is hard to overstate the challenges we are facing, but nevertheless, I am honestly optimistic about the…
Read MoreConstruction coalition blasts B.C. government CBA policy as it heads to Court of Appeal
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | July 17, 2020 VANCOUVER — A coalition of British Columbia construction associations is calling out the province’s transportation and infrastructure minister as they take their legal challenge of the NDP government’s community benefits agreement (CBA) policy to the B.C. Court of Appeal. The coalition is asking the court…
Read MoreB.C. to get $2.2B in COVID-19 support, Horgan celebrates paid sick leave program
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | July 17, 2020 VICTORIA — British Columbia Premier John Horgan says he’s proud that a national paid sick leave program has been announced as part of a $19 billion federal funding plan to support provinces during the COVID-19 pandemic. Horgan has been pushing for a national program to…
Read MoreMinistry of Labour Reports
Workers’ compensation system reports Consultation Report on Potential Amendments to British Columbia’s Workers Compensation Act – Jeff Parr (PDF) WorkSafeBC and Government Action Review: Crossing the Rubicon – Lisa Jean Helps (PDF) Balance. Stability. Improvement: Options for the Accident Fund – Terry Bogyo for WorkSafeBC (PDF) A Worker-Centred Approach to Workers’ Compensation Policy – Paul Petrie for WorkSafeBC
Workers’ compensation changes to better support workers
BC Government News Release | Victoria | July 14, 2020 Changes to the Workers Compensation Act will provide better support to injured workers and their families and enhance WorkSafeBC’s ability to investigate workplace incidents, while keeping premiums low. “For too many years, we have heard from injured workers in B.C. that the system lacks fairness…
Read MoreB.C. government brings in changes to workers’ compensation system
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | July 15, 2020 VICTORIA — Workers’ compensation benefits in B.C. would be based on a higher maximum salary amount under legislation introduced Tuesday (July 14) by the provincial government. Amendments to the Workers Compensation Act would increase the maximum insurable earnings to $100,000 from $87,100. The government says…
Read MoreB.C. Coroners Service investigating death at Burnaby construction site
Vancouver Sun | Scott Brown | Jul 15, 2020 A worker was crushed to death during an excavation near a construction site in Burnaby on Tuesday. Vancouver development company Ledingham McAllister confirmed the fatal accident occurred at its Cedar Creek construction project in the 7100-block of 14th Avenue. Read more.
WCB changes restore balance, protect injured workers
For information only and not an endorsement – this information is shared to ensure members have the context and understanding of current issues that impact the Construction Industry. BC Building Trades Website July 14, 2020 Changes to the Workers Compensation Act introduced today by the BC NDP government put injured workers first for the first…
Read MoreWorkers Compensation Act Changes Reduce Red Tape for Business
For information only and not an endorsement – this information is shared to ensure members have the context and understanding of current issues that impact the Construction Industry. Surrey Board of Trade | Jul 14th, 2020 at 3:20 pm BC Minister of Labour Harry Bains presented legislative change to the Workers Compensation Act – Bill…
Read More“Working sick isn’t working”: BCFED launches plan to ensure paid sick leave for every worker
For information only and not an endorsement – this information is shared to ensure members have the context and understanding of current issues that impact the Construction Industry. BC Fed Website | July 9, 2020 | Health, Safety, and Compensation (Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC) — With workplace COVID-19 outbreaks fresh in the…
Read MoreAlberta’s Bill 32 cuts through labour law red tape: stakeholders
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | July 13, 2020 Progressive unions and trade unions are applauding proposed changes that are poised to transform the province’s labour laws. According to the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA) Bill 32, the Restoring Balance in Alberta’s Workplaces Act, is long overdue. One of most significant changes is that…
Read MoreSkillSource explores apprenticeship co-operative training model
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | July 10, 2020 A new project in B.C. aims to explore alternative options for improving historically low trades apprenticeship completion rates which experts believe could worsen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. SkillSource, with support from the Province of B.C. and the Government of Canada, is currently in the early…
Read MoreAlberta bill proposes major changes to union strike rules and funding
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | July 9, 2020 EDMONTON — The Alberta government is proposing major changes to rules governing unions, including limits on where and how workers can picket during strikes or lockouts. Under a bill introduced July 7, pickets would not be allowed to interfere with anyone coming or going across…
Read MoreSeptember 2020 public hearing on proposed regulatory amendments
WorkSafeBC will be holding a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Because of the restrictions on public gatherings put in place by the provincial health officer during the COVID-19 pandemic, we will hold the public hearing virtually. The virtual public hearing will be streamed live on September 30, 2020, in two sessions….
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