Leading business organizations are calling on the B.C. government to withdraw legislation that allows presumption of viral illness as a workplace injury, changes the determination of retirement age for injured workers and makes other changes to WorkSafeBCB次元官网网址檚 policies.

Premier John Horgan and Labour Minister Harry Bains stood by the changes in the B.C. legislature July 21, as opposition MLAs peppered him with concerns from a lengthy letter from the Business Council of B.C., the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, the Retail Council of Canada, Restaurants Canada and other business organizations.

Employers argue that B.C. is changing its provisions to deal with COVID-19 at a time when the federal governmentB次元官网网址檚 new sick pay program is still being worked out, and moves ahead with changes that B次元官网网址渄estabilizeB次元官网网址� the employer-funded compensation program at a time when businesses are reeling from pandemic-related loss of revenue and employment.

B.C. Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson led off question period by asking Bains why the changes beyond the recommendations of a consultant who met with business representatives.

B次元官网网址淭he proposed changes to workersB次元官网网址� compensation will make it even more difficult for small businesses to bounce back from this devastating pandemic,B次元官网网址� Wilkinson said.

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Waiving a 90-day period for determining if a viral illness is work-related B次元官网网址渁mounts to government pre-judging WorkSafeBCB次元官网网址檚 independent policy decision-making authority,B次元官网网址� the letter states. (See full letter below.)

B次元官网网址淲e are disappointed the government would take a position contrary to all scientific and medical science. Such a position, regrettably mirrors the disastrous approach taken by the administration in the United States.B次元官网网址�

Horgan emphasized that the changes do not increase WorkSafeBC payroll premiums for employers for three years.

B次元官网网址淲hat weB次元官网网址檝e done is increase benefits for workers without adding any cost to businesses,B次元官网网址� Horgan said.

Bains noted that the government has taken significant steps to support business in the pandemic, including the ability to defer WorkSafeBC insurance payments for six months.

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