WCB Changes Payment Plan

Changes to the Workers' Compensation General Regulations were announced today that will allow the Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia to introduce a new payment plan for employers around the province.

Under the new Assessment Payment Plan, employers will pay WCB premiums based on actual payroll, not estimates. They will also make payments at set times over the year, rather than in one advance sum. The changes come into effect Jan. 1, 2000.

"Employers in Nova Scotia wanted this change and we responded with a streamlined process," said Ron Russell, Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Act. "The new system will benefit employers, especially in the seasonal industries."

The regulatory changes will see employers remit premium payments at the same time they make payroll deductions to the federal government, usually on a monthly basis.

The changes will also see employers pay their WCB premiums and report payroll information through the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, formerly known as Revenue Canada.

Thanks to a partnership between the Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia and the revenue agency, employers will follow the same dates and methods for both payroll and premium payments, as well as similar penalty and interest rates.

"This partnership puts Nova Scotia in a leadership role in Canada," said David Stuewe, CEO of the Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia. "We have developed a cost-effective program to meet the needs of employers in Nova Scotia."

The Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia provides workplace accident insurance to 300,000 workers and 16,000 employers in the province.

NOTE TO EDITORS: A backgrounder on the new Assessment Payment Plan is available; please e-mail Release@gov.ns.ca or call collect 902-424-4492 for a copy.