Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) will reduce its average premium rate for businesses to $1.23 per $100 of insurable payroll in 2026, down from $1.25 in 2025.
The cut, announced last week, is expected to save employers about $60 million next year. It comes at a time when many businesses are contending with inflation, tariffs and broader economic uncertainty.
The 2026 adjustment marks the seventh reduction in the past decade. Since 2017, the WSIB has lowered its average premium by more than 50 per cent. Combined with surplus distributions, these cuts have provided approximately $21.5 billion in cumulative savings for Ontario employers. Despite these reductions, the board said it has maintained its financial position while continuing to expand coverage and improve services for injured and ill workers.
WSIB President and CEO Jeffery Lang (pictured above) said the lower premium rate reflects the board’s ability to deliver results, including supporting people in recovery and return to work. Labor Minister David Piccini emphasized that the reduction will allow businesses to reinvest in safety, remain competitive and strengthen the economy.
Nationally competitive
Ontario’s new rate is also competitive nationally. Alberta’s average premium rate for 2025 is $1.26, while British Columbia’s sits higher at $1.37. Manitoba maintains one of the lowest rates at $0.95, while Québec averages around $1.54, although its rates vary significantly across industries. Ontario’s new figure, at $1.23, positions the province among the more affordable jurisdictions for workers’ compensation premiums, which could appeal to businesses weighing expansion or relocation decisions.
The WSIB said it continues to deliver additional value alongside lower rates. This includes a streamlined registration process, expanded online services available around the clock, and free access to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety’s Business Portal.
These tools are intended to make it easier for employers to manage their accounts while improving workplace safety outcomes, the board said.
