Stop rewarding workplace safety violators: NDP MPP Gates

QUEEN'S PARK — Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates called for a end to a Ontario Workplace Safety Board (WSIB) program that rewards companies convicted of health and safety violations.

"The government has known about the problems with this program for many years, yet millions of dollars are still being sent to employers guilty of serious violations,' said Gates.

A report shows the WSIB is handing out hefty safety rebates to companies that have been convicted of health and safety violations. In many cases, the companies were fined for their violations but the fines were dwarfed by these generous WSIB rebates.

'This is a program where a company like Triple M. Metals – where a worker was killed in 2009 after he was trapped inside a metal shredder – was given more than $926,000 in safety rebates in 2011-12,' said Gates.

Gates said the government has known about the problems with this program for many years, yet millions of dollars are still being sent to employers guilty of serious violations.

In early 2012, the respected Arthurs report said the goverrnment should scrap the experience rating program now.

'It’s time to stop studying and start acting,' said Gates. 'Will this government commit to ending this outrageous program now?”