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Consultation on Bill 23 – Permanent partial disability benefits

On August 14, 2020, the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2020 (Bill 23) came into effect. Under Bill 23, 34 legislative amendments were made to the Workers Compensation Act (Act). One of these legislative amendments concerns permanent partial disability benefits and came into effect on January 1, 2021.

On November 18, 2020, the Board of Directors (BOD) approved changes to 25 policies in the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual, Volume II (RS&CM) to ensure policy is consistent with the Bill 23 amendments regarding permanent partial disability benefits. These policy changes became effective January 1, 2021.

The BOD also approved housekeeping changes to 12 policies in the RS&CM and the Assessment Manual consequential to re-formatting Chapter 6 of the RS&CM.

You can view the BOD resolution regarding the Bill 23 amendments to permanent partial disability benefits here.

The BOD approved policy changes in advance of stakeholder consultation to ensure WorkSafeBC policy aligns with the Act as amended by Bill 23 on January 1, 2021. Our Policy, Regulation and Research Division is now releasing a discussion paper with options on these newly revised policies to identify whether further policy changes are necessary. You’re invited to provide feedback on the options until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 16, 2021.

The discussion paper, revised policies, and information on how to provide feedback can be accessed through the following link:

Discussion paper

There are a number of ways for you to provide feedback on the options and policy changes.

 

(a) Comment link:

This consultation is now closed.

(b) Email: policy@worksafebc.com
(c) Mail: Sheena Clarkson
Senior Manager
Policy, Regulation and Research Division
WorkSafeBC
P.O. Box 5350, Stn. Terminal
Vancouver BC V6B 5L5

The consultation period will end at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 16, 2021. The BOD will consider stakeholder feedback before making a decision on further policy changes.

Please note that all comments become part of the Policy, Regulation and Research Division’s database and may be published, including the identity of organizations and those participating on behalf of organizations. The identity of those who have participated on their own behalf will be kept confidential according to the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.