The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is cutting 466 jobs across Ontario, describing the move as a difficult business decision to consolidate some back-office positions.
The affected roles are primarily in claims and account management and involve employees working remotely. The positions are spread across Sudbury, Windsor, Thunder Bay, St. Catharines, Guelph, Sault Ste. Marie, Kingston, North Bay and Timmins.
The WSIB said the actual number of job losses could be lower because affected employees may have opportunities to relocate to other positions.
Union warns of service delays
The Ontario Compensation Employees Union, which represents affected workers and is affiliated with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, strongly criticized the cuts.
Union president Harry Goslin said the organization had been attempting to negotiate measures to reduce the impact of the restructuring, describing the announcement as a major blow to employees.
The union also said it had been informed that another 155 positions in Waterloo are expected to be eliminated in approximately a year.
Goslin warned that reducing staffing could lead to longer waiting times for injured workers seeking assistance.
According to the union, workers could face delays in receiving return calls, decisions on claims, reimbursement for health-care expenses and referrals to services designed to help them return to employment.
WSIB offers transition support
The WSIB said local teams will remain in the affected regions to provide in-person support to people returning to work.
The organization also said employees affected by the restructuring will receive transition assistance, including opportunities to relocate, résumé-writing and job-search services, as well as continued benefits and access to mental-health support.
Political criticism grows
The job cuts have also drawn criticism from opposition politicians.
NDP critic Lise Vaugeois said the decision would make it more difficult for workers in industries such as construction, forestry and mining to obtain the support they need.
Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser argued that northern Ontario would be particularly affected, noting that roughly half of the announced job losses are concentrated in northern communities.
He said the cuts come as several northern communities are already dealing with tariffs, plant closures and layoffs.
The restructuring comes as the Ontario government prepares to conduct efficiency and productivity reviews of several major public agencies.
The WSIB is among the organizations being reviewed, alongside the Liquor Control Board of Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
