The Government of New Brunswick’s Bill 45, officially known as An Act Respecting the Firefighters’ Compensation Act and the Workers’ Compensation Act, received royal assent on June 7, 2024, and is now law.
This legislation introduces notable improvements to workers’ compensation benefits in the province, including an increase in wage loss benefits and adjustments to maximum annual earnings, according to a press release issued by WorkSafeNB.
Effective July 1, 2024, the wage loss benefits for injured workers will rise from 85% to 90% of net earnings. This increase aims to provide greater financial security for workers recovering from workplace injuries or illnesses.
Additionally, the calculation of Maximum Annual Earnings (MAE) has been revised. The multiplier used in the formula will change from 1.5 to 1.6, raising the MAE from $76,900 to $82,100. This adjustment ensures that more workers will have their full wages covered under the compensation system.
Tim Petersen, WorkSafeNB’s president and CEO, emphasized the significance of these enhancements.
“Increasing the loss of earnings benefit is a significant step towards providing greater financial stability for those who need it most, when they need it most. This will give injured workers added peace of mind and help them focus on their rehabilitation,” Petersen stated.
Current benefit recipients will automatically receive the increased benefits without any additional action required on their part.
These legislative changes aim to align New Brunswick with other jurisdictions and provide more substantial support to injured workers and their families. Mel Norton, WorkSafeNB’s Board Chairperson, highlighted the balanced approach of the new measures. “We have carefully balanced the needs of our stakeholders with the sustainability of our system, with stable assessment rates for employers, while providing the benefits our injured workers and their families deserve,” Norton said.
The recent changes come on the heels of WorkSafeNB’s rate reduction for employers in the province, reflecting a concerted effort to support both employers and injured workers. Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Greg Turner expressed pride in the legislative changes, stating, “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.”
The enhancements in Bill 45 were developed following comprehensive consultations with workers and employers. WorkSafeNB acknowledged the active engagement of its stakeholders in these consultations and praised the commitment of New Brunswick’s workers and employers to workplace safety and support for return-to-work and stay-at-work initiatives.
WorkSafeNB is New Brunswick’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB). The organization is dedicated to promoting safe and healthy workplaces and providing support to workers and employers across the province. WorkSafeNB’s mission includes reducing the risk of workplace injury and illness and offering effective compensation and return-to-work services when incidents occur.