Workers Compensation Board (WCB)

All corporations, partnerships and proprietorships must consider that it may be compulsory to register with WCB when they have employees. The requirements are legislated by The Workers Compensation Act Alberta and The Workers’ Compensation Amendment Act .  In addition, there are Regulations 427/81 as amended which supplement the legislation. In addition, WCB has publications available to provide assistance on their website.  Essentially the WCB is a provider of disability insurance for compensating workers injured while working. 

It is an employer's responsibility to establish whether his/her business operation will require an account with WCB.  There are a number of industries that are exempt under the legislation.  However, even if you, as an employer is not required to carry WCB insurance, there may be instances where you wish to do voluntarily.  For example, if you do not have this insurance, an injured employee could sue you personally.  

Generally all workers of a company are required to be covered by WCB.  This could include, but is not limited to, shareholders who work for the company and subcontractors who perform services as a sole proprietor who do not carry WCB themselves (as evidenced by lack of having a WCB account).  A company’s directors are not required to be covered by WCB.  However they may wish to carry optional personal coverage so that injured workers are not able to sue the director personally for damages.

WCB looks at partnerships and proprietorships differently for coverage purposes.  For example, the proprietorship can only consist of the individual proprietor. When an owner hires someone to do work, he/she becomes an employer who must then meet the compulsory requirements of the Act, as applicable. 

It is advisable that employers review the WCB’s coverage guidelines for each applicable worker relationship because there are several rules and exemptions.  Since an employer subject to WCB only has 15 days in which to notify WCB after hiring workers, it may be best to establish your status during the business planning phase. You can do this by contacting an officer to discuss the nature of your planned operations.  

Legal Notice And Disclaimer

Privacy Statement