Latest News About Workplace Safety & Insurance Board

Here’s the latest on the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB): it launched a new defibrillator rebate program in January 2026, offering up to $2,500 for automated external defibrillators on qualifying construction projects. WSIB also returned another $2 billion in surplus funds to eligible safe Ontario businesses in November 2025, following earlier 2025 rebates.[1]

Recent developments

• In August 2025, WSIB announced a $4 million partnership with Nokiiwin Tribal Council to improve workplace health and safety in Indigenous communities.[1]
• In July 2025, WSIB said it reached a tentative agreement with the Ontario Compensation Employees Union to end labour disruption.[1]
• In May and June 2025, WSIB said it would continue processing claims and paying benefits during the strike while mediation continued.[1]

What it means

The recent coverage suggests WSIB has been focused on three themes: returning surplus funds to employers, expanding safety programs, and managing labour relations. The board’s own site also highlights its core role in providing wage-loss benefits, health care coverage, return-to-work support, and workplace safety services for Ontario workers and businesses.[4][8][1]

Media attention

There has also been critical reporting in early 2026 about WSIB’s spending on an advertising campaign, with CBC describing concerns from critics about the agency’s messaging. A separate news roundup noted ongoing debate in Ontario about WSIB rules affecting injured workers, including age-related policy issues.[5][9]

If you want, I can turn this into a one-paragraph news brief or a timeline of WSIB updates from 2025–2026.