As of May 21, 2025, the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) is suspending appeals and providing a grace period on time limits while experiencing a labour disruption. Over 3,600 unionized WSIB employees began rolling strikes following failed contract negotiations between the WSIB and the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (“OCEU”). Unionized WSIB workers are expected to strike on a “rotating schedule”, with non-union employees providing priority services and union members alternating between working and picketing in order to limit impact upon WSIB claimants.

In an online service update dated May 21, 2025, the WSIB has advised of the following changes to its usual services during the labour disruption.

Appeals and hearing scheduling

The WSIB is pausing appeals processes and decision-making for the duration of the labour disruption, instead focusing on maintaining critical operations. Hearings scheduled for a date during the disruption have also been postponed, with the WSIB issuing notifications to those affected advising of the postponement.

Hearing participants can expect to be contacted by the WSIB at a later date to reschedule the hearing.

Time limit grace period

The WSIB has also advised that it will be providing a “grace period” for objection time limits, from the start date of the labour disruption until such time that regular services are resumed.

At this time, no further details have been provided regarding the applicable grace period. Updates to this article will be made as additional guidance is released by the WSIB. 

Continuation of benefit payments

The WSIB has clarified that workers already receiving loss-of-earnings (“LOE”) payments or health care benefits will continue to receive such payments and/or services. However, claimants waiting for an initial payment, or for pending payments on a claim, may experience delays in the processing of same.

Limited claim file access

The WSIB is recommending use of its Online Services as the primary way of accessing important claim information during the labour disruption. The WSIB has clarified that users can continue using its website for the following services:

• Reporting an injury or illness;
• Submitting documents for an existing claim;
• Seeing real-time claim, payment and health benefit information;
• Registering a new business; and
• Accessing clearance certificates.

Beyond the information available in the Online Services portal, additional access to claim files will not be provided. The WSIB has confirmed that telephone support will be available from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday; however, wait times are likely to be higher than usual. Response times for non-urgent inquiries and services are also expected to be impacted.

Insights for employers

Employers are advised to stay up-to-date on applicable service updates from the WSIB, especially as concerns any time limit extensions and/or appeal rescheduling that may affect them during the service disruption. Employers are encouraged to take stock of any upcoming objection deadlines with potential to be affected by reduced WSIB operations, and to document any correspondence with the WSIB concerning access to file information, delays in receiving WSIB services and/or amended time limits.

Employers are also advised of the need to continue meeting their claims reporting and information-sharing obligations to the WSIB, as the WSIB’s online channels for doing so remain open. Additionally, the WSIAT has advised that at this time, their respective services remain unaffected.

In addition to the uncertain duration of OCEU strike activity, WSIB services may be further disrupted should a potential Canada Post labour disruption come to pass. In the event of a Canada Post strike, the WSIB has advised that cheques will be sent by courier to avoid possible delays; however, businesses are asked to use Online Services to submit information, report premiums, send correspondence to the WSIB or make a payment.

If you have any questions about these or other recent WSIB changes, please contact a Mathews Dinsdale Lawyer.