Updating psychological injury compensation in Nova Scotia: A preliminary report on cost impacts

The WCB is considering some policy changes that update and modernize WCB policies in regard to the compensability of psychological injuries, a growing issue in workplaces across Canada.

The changes could impact the way workers’ compensation insurance covers psychological injuries incurred on the job. They would help Nova Scotia’s approach to these types of injuries become more in step with the way they are compensated in other parts of the country.

As part of the consultation process, the WCB commissioned an actuarial report. This document sets out very preliminary estimates about the cost impact to the Workers’ Compensation System of the policy changes.

The estimates are preliminary. As outlined in the report, the implementation of the policy is not expected to bring significant new costs. 

This actuarial report is simply a projection. As always, any decision about assessment rates would be made by the Board of Directors during its annual budget process, and would be based on the overall funding situation at the time.