As we begin our second century, we’ll continue to adapt to meet the evolving needs of workers, employers, and our other stakeholders in British Columbia — all in support of our vision of a British Columbia free from workplace injury, disease, and death.

Highlights

2017 To mark the 100-year anniversary of British Columbia’s workers’ compensation system, we release four videos highlighting our accomplishments in each quarter century.

2017 As part of our 100-year celebration, we collaborate with Science World to create a new exhibit called A Tinkering Space. The space is designed to engage kids and families in workplace health and safety topics and connect with the workers of tomorrow before they enter the workforce.

2017 The provincial government announces the appointment of Ralph McGinn as chair of the Board of Directors.

2018 Bill 9, the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2018, comes into force and adds a mental disorder presumption for workers who are or have been employed in an eligible occupation.

2018 Diana Miles, president and chief executive officer (CEO), retires.

2019 Bill 18, the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2019, comes into force and extends the application of the cancer, heart injury, heart disease, and mental disorder presumptions to wildland firefighters, fire investigators, and firefighters working for First Nations or other Indigenous organizations.

2019 The Board of Directors appoints Anne Naser as the new president and CEO.

2020 WorkSafeBC is deemed an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing to support workers, providers, and employers around the province while partnering in the provincial restart plan.

2020 Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 2019, c.1 takes effect on April 6, 2020. The Act is revised to make laws easier to find and modernize the language, but the revisions do not change B.C.’s laws concerning workers’ compensation, occupational health and safety, or employers’ assessment premiums.

2020 Ralph McGinn, chair of the Board of Directors, passes away.

2020 The provincial government announces the appointment of Jeff Parr as chair of the Board of Directors.

2020 Bill 23, the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2020, comes into force. The bill contains 34 provisions that include housekeeping amendments and changes relating to compensation, assessment, and occupational health and safety matters.

2021 Our new claims document uploader launches, simplifying how workers submit forms to us.

2021 We introduce online inspection reports to give employers easy access to their inspection reports.

2021 A postdoctoral fellowship is established in honour of Ralph McGinn, former chair of the WorkSafeBC Board of Directors.

2022 Bill 41, Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2022, comes into force. It introduces seven amendments to better support workers in British Columbia; three amendments take effect in 2022, three in 2023, and one in 2024.

2022 Bill 5, Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2022, comes into force. The bill introduces new protections to help keep workers safe from the danger of asbestos.

2023 The provincial government appoints Baltej Dhillon as chair of the Board of Directors.

2024 Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation relating to occupational first aid take effect. The amendments include changes to the minimum requirements for first aid supplies, equipment, facilities, and first aid attendants.

2024 The final Bill 41 amendment takes effect. This amendment adds a legal duty for workers and employers to cooperate in the worker's early and safe return to work, along with an obligation for employers to return injured workers to work.

2025 We launch a new online expense reimbursement request application that enables workers to easily submit reimbursement requests at any time.

2026 The provincial government appoints William Laird Cronk as chair of our Board of Directors for a three-year term.