Released on April 10, 2014
The Government of Saskatchewan has amended the Workers’ Compensation Act Exclusion Regulations to include mandatory WCB coverage for substitute teachers in the province.
The amendment means that Saskatchewan’s substitute teachers now have guaranteed access to the Workers’ Compensation Board’s (WCB) compensation benefits and services if they are injured on the job. This includes wage replacement, medical and hospital treatment, and vocational rehabilitation if needed. It also means that school boards and substitute teachers are protected from lawsuits when an injury happens.
“This is a workplace safety protection that benefits substitute teachers and the school boards which employ them,” Education Minister Don Morgan said. “We’ve heard from substitute teachers that this legislation is long overdue, and we’re responding to those concerns.”
The ministry will be providing funding to school divisions to recognize the additional cost incurred for WCB premiums for substitute teachers. The WCB will also be contacting school boards to advise them of the change and provide additional information.
“This has been a long-standing issue for Saskatchewan teachers,” Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation President Colin Keess said. “The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation has been advocating on behalf of teachers on this matter for more than a decade. We are pleased to see that Minister Morgan and government have responded by providing substitute teachers with access to workers’ compensation benefits.”
“We are pleased with the government’s decision to legislate and fully fund the inclusion of substitute teachers within workers’ compensation insurance,” Saskatchewan School Boards Association President Janet Foord said. “Boards of education take workplace safety seriously, but in the event of an incident we are happy that all of our professional teaching staff are assured protection.”
The new regulations took effect March 6, 2014.
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For more information, contact:
Kelly Johnston
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: kelly.johnston@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-7506