WSIB Cuts Ontario's Average Premium Rate to $1.18 for 2027: What Employers Should Do Now
On October 22, 2026, Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board announced that the average premium rate for Ontario businesses will drop to $1.18 per $100 of insurable earnings in 2027, down from $1.23 in 2026. The WSIB says the reduction leaves about $160 million with employers next year, and that Ontario's average premium rate will now sit almost 30 per cent below the national average. For context, the average rate was $2.35 in 2018, so it has been cut roughly in half over nine years.
What changed
The WSIB sets premium rates each year under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act. The official 2027 premium rates page sets out the headline figures:
- Average premium rate: $1.18 per $100 of insurable earnings for 2027, down from $1.23 in 2026.
- Who benefits: more than 80 per cent of premium-paying businesses will receive a rate reduction, according to the announcement.
- Maximum insurable earnings ceiling: $126,700 for 2027, up from $121,700 in 2026. The ceiling is tied to average earnings in Ontario as measured by Statistics Canada.
- How your rate is set: 2027 rates use claims and insurable earnings data as of April 30, 2026.
The average rate is only an average. Your actual rate depends on your industry classification and your claims history, so some businesses may see a larger decrease, a smaller one, or no change at all.
When it takes effect
There are three dates to keep separate:
- Announcement date: October 22, 2026. Nothing changes on this day.
- Statement availability date: starting in November 2026, individual 2027 premium rate statements will be available exclusively through WSIB online services. Paper statements are no longer the channel.
- In-force date: January 1, 2027. The new rates apply to premiums you calculate and report on insurable earnings through the 2027 calendar year.
What employers should do now
- Sign up for online services. Individual rate statements are available exclusively online starting in November. If you do not have an online account, the WSIB is directing businesses to register now.
- Review your statement in November. Compare your 2027 rate and your projected rate against your 2026 rate before budgeting for next year.
- Check your classification. Your rate follows your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) classification. If your business activities have changed, the classification may need updating.
- Budget for the earnings ceiling. The maximum insurable earnings ceiling rises to $126,700 in 2027, which affects premiums for higher earners.
- Keep claims costs down. Rates reflect your claims experience. The WSIB notes that improving return-to-work and health and safety practices can improve your rate over time. The government also points to roughly $4 billion in WSIB rebates returned to eligible safe businesses since 2024.
What this does not change for workers
This announcement changes what many employers pay. It does not change benefit entitlements for injured workers. Benefits under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, including loss-of-earnings benefits and health care coverage, are set by the legislation and by WSIB policy, not by the premium rate. If you are an injured worker, your claim, your benefits, and your appeal rights are unaffected by this rate change.
Employers who disagree with a decision about their business account, including classification or premium decisions, may object to the WSIB within the applicable time limits. Objecting is time-sensitive, and the WSIB may confirm, change, or cancel the decision on reconsideration. Outcomes are never guaranteed.
The bottom line
Ontario employers will pay a lower average WSIB premium rate in 2027, but the number that matters is your own. Check your individual rate statement when it appears online in November, confirm your classification, and plan payroll budgets around the new $126,700 insurable earnings ceiling. If you need help with a WSIB business account decision, a premium or classification dispute, or a denied claim, JSR Immigration and Legals assists Ontario employers and workers with WSIB matters. See our WSIB services page and employment law services page, or contact us at (647) 286-4266 or info@jsrlegals.ca.
This post is general information, not legal advice, as of October 28, 2026. For advice on a specific matter, please contact JSR Legals.
Sources
- WSIB, 2027 Premium Rates (announced October 22, 2026, effective January 1, 2027): https://www.wsib.ca/en/2027premiumrates
- WSIB, Premiums and payment FAQs: https://www.wsib.ca/en/businesses/premiums-and-payment/premiums-and-payment-faqs
JSR Legals / JSR Immigration Ltd. 9300 Goreway Drive, Suite 205, Brampton, ON L6P 4N1 (647) 286-4266 info@jsrlegals.ca
Immigration & paralegal practitioner at JSR Immigration & Legals, helping newcomers and Ontario residents with their cases.
This post is general information about Canadian immigration and Ontario paralegal matters and is not legal advice. Rules change and every case is different — confirm current requirements for your own situation.