WSIB may extend WSIB coverage for retirement homes
SEIU Local 1 Canada has been working with the WSIB to extend mandatory coverage to all retirement home operators for several years. SEIU Local 1 Canada again raised the issue with WSIB Chair Steve Mahoney in July 2009.
The WSIB has now given SEIU a small window of opportunity to extend coverage retirement homes that provide nursing care for their residents. There is a provision in the WSIB regulations that allows for automatic WSIB coverage if the home is at least providing two hours of nursing care per-resident per-day.
The WSIB has agreed to monitor and assess five retirement homes in Ontario who may be providing at least two hours of care per-day per-resident to determine how extensive this practice may be.