news | WorkSafe Saskatchewan

Supporting Wildland Firefighters With Presumptive Cancer Coverage

Supporting Wildland Firefighters With Presumptive Cancer Coverage Released on August 5, 2025 On August 1, 2025, amendments to The Workers' Compensation Act, 2013 came into force, establishing presumptive cancer coverage for wildland firefighters in Saskatchewan. "We are committed to supporting our wildland firefighters, who have been putting themselves at risk to protect their communities," Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board Jim Reiter said. "Saskatchewan is leading the way in Canada with the extension of presumptive cancer coverage for 22 types of cancer." These amendments also included a number of housekeeping items: Ensuring chiropractors, health care professionals, physicians and psychiatrists licensed in other jurisdictions are covered; Allowing board members to complete proceedings after their term expires; and Enabling regulations to specify how the Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board publishes appeal tribunal decisions. For more information, contact: Carolyn Van der Veen Workers' Compensation Board Regina Phone: 306-787-4386 Email: cvanderveen@wcbsask.com

Igor Jukov2025-08-07T14:46:35-06:00August 5th, 2025|news|

WorkSafe Saskatchewan celebrates workplace safety leaders at the 2025 Safe Worker and Safe Employer Awards

WorkSafe Saskatchewan celebrates workplace safety leaders at the 2025 Safe Worker and Safe Employer Awards Saskatoon, Sask., May 21, 2025 – Today WorkSafe Saskatchewan recognized safety leaders from around the province at its 2025 Safe Worker and Safe Employer Awards. WorkSafe Saskatchewan, an injury prevention and workplace safety partnership between the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, presented these awards in Saskatoon as part of the WCB’s Compensation Institute event. “At WorkSafe Saskatchewan, we believe that creating safer workplaces starts with strong leadership and personal commitment,” said Kevin Mooney, the WCB’s vice-president of prevention and employer services. “This year’s Safe Worker and Safe Employer Award winners exemplify what it means to make safety a core value, not just a set of rules. Through their dedication, passion and innovation, our winners are setting new standards for safety and well-being in our province. We [...]

John Thronberg2025-05-16T16:40:03-06:00May 21st, 2025|news|

Day of Mourning Remembers 27 Workers Who Lost Their Lives

Day of Mourning Remembers 27 Workers Who Lost Their Lives Released on April 28, 2025 Every year on April 28, Canada marks the National Day of Mourning. Provincially, flags at all government buildings are lowered to half-mast from sunrise to sunset. April 28 was first declared as the National Day of Mourning by the Canadian Labour Congress in 1984. The day is now annually observed across Canada as a way to pay tribute to individuals killed, injured or stricken with illness in the workplace. In 2024, 27 workplace fatality claims were accepted by the Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board. "Our condolences are with the friends, families and colleagues of those who lost their life to a workplace injury or illness," Deputy Premier and Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Jim Reiter said. "Safety must be a priority in everything we do." "Today is an important day to reflect on how we can create [...]

Lisa Goudy2025-04-28T15:46:38-06:00April 28th, 2025|news|

Skills Canada National Competition in Regina

Check out SCNC 2025, on May 29 and 30, at the Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) District, in Regina! A competitor welds during the 2024 Skills Canada competition. Join us for the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) and experience the only national, multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices in the country. At SCNC Regina 2025, more than 500 competitors from across Canada will participate in over 40 skilled trade and technology competitions, across six sectors. Skills/Compétences Canada’s flagship event is a great opportunity for our country’s future skilled workforce to explore new and exciting careers. At SCNC Regina 2025, approximately 10,000 students will visit the competition floors and discover the rewarding careers that are available to them in the skilled trades and technologies. We are looking forward to attending this impactful event and we hope that you will join us! Come learn more about the skilled [...]

John Thronberg2025-04-16T13:31:02-06:00April 16th, 2025|news|

2024 WCB operating results announced

2024 WCB operating results announced Total injury rate drops for second year to lowest level in Saskatchewan history The WCB remains fully funded with a sufficiency ratio of 137.5 per cent Total injury rate decreases to 3.91 per 100 workers Time Loss injury rate decreases to 1.72 per 100 workers, reaching a new record low Regina, Sask., April 10, 2025 – The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB)’s 2024 annual report, which was tabled in the provincial legislature today, shows yet another decrease in the province’s workplace Total injury rate. For 2024, the Total injury rate was 3.91 per 100 workers, down from 3.95 per 100 workers in 2023. Saskatchewan’s 2024 Time Loss injury rate and Total injury rate are the lowest in the province’s recorded history and the number of full-time equivalent workers covered by the WCB has reached a record high. “For yet another year, we’ve reached historic lows [...]

Lisa Goudy2025-04-10T15:23:31-06:00April 10th, 2025|news|

WorkSafe Saskatchewan Signs on with Skills/Compétences Canada as a Premier Sponsor for the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) 2025, in Regina

WorkSafe Saskatchewan Signs on with Skills/Compétences Canada as a Premier Sponsor for the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) 2025, in Regina Ottawa, Ontario, April 3, 2025 – Skills/Compétences Canada (SCC), a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting skilled trades and technologies as rewarding career paths for youth, is proud to announce that WorkSafe Saskatchewan, the partnership between the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety and the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB), has signed as premier sponsor for the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) 2025, taking place in Regina. This event will take place at the Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) District in Saskatchewan on May 29 and 30. WorkSafe Saskatchewan’s support will allow SCC to increase awareness of the great careers that are available in the skilled trades and technologies to youth in Canada. “SCC is grateful for the support given by WorkSafe Saskatchewan, as this will help us toward our mission [...]

Lisa Goudy2025-07-31T11:23:40-06:00April 3rd, 2025|news|

University of Regina and WorkSafe Saskatchewan partner to support public safety personnel mental health

University of Regina and WorkSafe Saskatchewan partner to support public safety personnel mental health Release Date: April 2, 2025 New mental health monitoring system available April 2025 As the number of psychological health and safety claims continue to increase across the province, the Psychological Trauma and Stress Systems Lab at the University of Regina, in partnership with WorkSafe Saskatchewan, has developed a mental health monitoring system to support the mental health and wellness of first responders and other public safety personnel. WorkSafe Saskatchewan is the partnership between the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety. Through a cost-sharing agreement with WorkSafe Saskatchewan, the mental health monitoring system will be made available to agencies across Saskatchewan starting in April 2025. The immense challenges public safety personnel face with their mental health and well-being are a direct result of their work and service to communities. Exposures to [...]

Lisa Goudy2025-04-03T17:12:13-06:00April 2nd, 2025|news|

Asbestos Awareness Week – Be Aware of Asbestos Hazards

Asbestos Awareness Week - Be Aware of Asbestos Hazards Released on April 1, 2025 April 1-7 is Global Asbestos Awareness Week. This is an important time to raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos in the workplace. "Work related asbestos diseases can be prevented if you are aware of where it is located in a building and how to properly handle it to avoid exposure to its fibers," Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Jim Reiter said. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that was regularly used in buildings until the late 1990s. If products containing asbestos are disturbed, the tiny fibres are released into the air. When they are breathed in, they can become trapped in the lungs and stay there for many years. Over time, these fibres can accumulate and lead to serious health problems. In the 2024-25 Provincial Budget, $230,000 in funding was provided to replace [...]

Lisa Goudy2025-04-01T10:07:37-06:00April 1st, 2025|news|

WorkSafe Saskatchewan celebrates workplace safety leaders during 2024 Safe Worker and Safe Employer Awards

WorkSafe Saskatchewan celebrates workplace safety leaders during 2024 Safe Worker and Safe Employer Awards Regina, Sask., May 15, 2024 – Today WorkSafe Saskatchewan recognized safety leaders from around the province at its 2024 Safe Worker and Safe Employer Awards. WorkSafe Saskatchewan, a partnership between the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, presented these awards in Regina as part of the WCB’s Compensation Institute. “The winners of the 2024 WorkSafe Saskatchewan Safe Worker and Safe Employer Awards have dedicated themselves to fostering and advancing safety within their workplaces,” says Kevin Mooney, the WCB’s vice-president of prevention and employer services. “These awards acknowledge the exemplary individuals and organizations that prioritize safety, encourage mutual support and share effective safety strategies. They serve as beacons for all workers and employers across the province as we strive to make Saskatchewan the safest place in Canada to work.” [...]

John Thronberg2024-06-21T11:56:00-06:00May 15th, 2024|news|

Support to Obtain Professional Designations in Disability Management / Return to Work 2024

Support to obtain professional designations in disability management/return to work 2024 National Institute of Disability Management and Research March 7, 2024 - Funding is available for individuals to enrol in courses between now and the end of June 2024. Courses are available at no cost in the following programs: Disability management practitioner program. Mental health certificate program. Disability management from a HR perspective. Special and advanced courses. This special initiative provides Canadian residents (except British Columbia, which developed its similar initiative) the opportunity to obtain these professional designations for those working in the field: Certified disability management professional (CDMP). Certified return-to-work co-ordinator (CRTWC). Employers and governments across Canada and around the world have recognized and adopted these professional designations. They were also referenced in the United Nations’ International Social Security Administration (ISSA) best practice guidelines on return to work and reintegration, as they are recognized as the global gold standard [...]

Alicia Hupp2024-06-21T11:55:52-06:00March 7th, 2024|news|