Policy development and consultation

Section 6 of the Workers' Compensation Act (WCA) authorizes the Board of Directors to determine policy. The WCA, Regulation and policy provide the decision-making framework on entitlements and benefits for injured workers and on the responsibilities of employers.

WCB's Policy Development department supports the Board of Directors in this responsibility by:

• researching and analyzing policy issues
• managing WCB’s stakeholder consultation process through our website
• drafting policy for consideration by WCB's senior management team and the Policy Committee of the Board of Directors

Get more in-depth information about our policy development and consultation process. To view policies currently posted for consultation and to provide comments and feedback, visit our What's new in policy? section.

If you have a question about how a policy applies to your claim or employer account, contact your adjudicator, case manager or account manager directly. Policy Development does not work with individual claims or employer accounts.

If you feel a policy should be changed, you can request a policy review. Please follow the process in the Policies & Information Manual under G-4.

2020 Policy Project Plan

Each year, the policy project plan identifies the policy reviews planned for the coming year. The 2020 Policy Project Plan includes the Government of Alberta's legislated review that is scheduled to take place this year and completion of the projects that began in 2019. Due to COVID-19, much of our project work has been deferred with the exception of the pending legislated review and some work on our employer services policies, which was completed prior to the pandemic being declared. We are looking at the impacts of COVID-19 and will share updates as they become available.

2019 consultations

• Phase two - Review of employer accounts and premium policies
  Oct. 1/19 – Dec. 2/19
  Consultation materials – Oct/19
  Verbatim comments
  

• 2020 Policy Project Plan
  Oct. 1/19 – Dec. 2/19
  Consultation materials – Sep/19
  Verbatim comments
  

• Phase one - High-level review of employer accounts and premium policies
  May 14/19 – Jul. 15/19
  Consultation materials – May/19
  Verbatim comments
  

• Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)
  Jan. 3/19 – Mar. 5/19
  Consultation materials – Jan/19
  Board of Directors Minutes – Apr/19
  Post consultation policy – Jun/19
  

• 2019 Policy Project Plan
  Jan. 3/19 – Mar. 5/19
  Consultation materials – Jan/19
  Board of Directors Minutes – Apr/19
  

Closed policy consultations