The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board has returned $2 billion in surplus funds to eligible Ontario businesses, marking the second rebate distribution in 2025 and the third in the organization’s history.
All qualifying businesses received their portion of the rebate as of Oct. 31, 2025. The average company will receive a credit equivalent to about 61 per cent of the premiums paid in 2024.
The rebate comes as the WSIB prepares to reduce its average premium rate for the seventh time in a decade, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The current average premium rate is less than half the 2016 level and the lowest in more than 50 years, according to the organization.
Premium cuts deliver long-term savings
Average premium rate reductions over the past 10 years have produced cumulative savings of approximately $21.5 billion for Ontario businesses.
“Uncertainty is an enemy of business and Ontario businesses deserve certain relief in these uncertain times,” said Jeff Lang, WSIB president and CEO. “There’s no better time to offer Ontario businesses this needed rebate relief.”
Improved injury recovery drives financial position
The WSIB attributed its ability to distribute surplus funds to improved outcomes in helping injured workers recover and return to work.
“Our job is to help people recover and safely return to work after an injury, and we’re doing it better than ever,” said Lang. “This means we’re able to offer certainty to people that we’ll be here to help if they need us, and certainty to businesses that we’re offering value for the premium dollars they pay.”
The surplus rebate has been applied as a credit to eligible business accounts.
