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 currently underway and completion of projects that began in 2019. Due to COVID-19, we had to defer work on several projects, while others have been able to move forward. We have also done work to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 on Alberta’s employers. Find out more in the 2020 plan update.
Current consultations
We are seeking stakeholder feedback on the following topics:
- Policy Project Plan. We'd like your feedback on our policy project plan. Please take this opportunity to let us know what matters to you by providing your feedback.
- Reimbursement of housekeeping expenses prior to December 1, 2013. Review the draft policy and provide your feedback.
- Third party recoveries - cost relief – unknown or uninsured third parties. Review the draft policies and provide your feedback.
Consultation is open until October 4, 2021.
Closed policy consultations
2021
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Fairness Review Mandate
Jan 15/21 - Feb 15/21
Consultation materials – Jan/21
Verbatim comments
Fairness Review Mandate – Apr/21
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Duty to Cooperate
Jan 15/21 - Feb 15/21
Consultation materials – Jan/21
Verbatim comments
Post consultation policies – Apr/21
-
Egregious Conduct
Jan 15/21 - Feb 15/21
Consultation materials – Jan/21
Verbatim comments
Post consultation policy – Apr/21
-
Maximum Compensable Earnings (MCE)
Jan 15/21 - Feb 15/21
Consultation materials – Jan/21
Verbatim comments
Post consultation materials – Apr/21
2020
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Pension Midpointing
Sep. 30/20 – Dec. 1/20
Consultation Materials – Sep/20
Verbatim comments
Board of Directors Minutes Excerpt – Feb/21
Post consultation policy – Mar/21
2019
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Phase two - Review of employer accounts and premium policies
Oct. 1/19 – Dec. 2/19
Consultation materials – Oct/19
Verbatim comments
Board of Directors Minutes Excerpt – Jan/20
Post consultation policies
-
2020 Policy Project Plan
Oct. 1/19 – Dec. 2/19
Consultation materials – Sep/19
Verbatim comments
Board of Directors Minutes Excerpt – Jan/20
-
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
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2019 Policy Project Plan
Jan. 3/19 – Mar. 5/19
Consultation materials – Jan/19
Board of Directors Minutes – Apr/19
2018
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Obligation to Return Injured Workers to Work
Jan. 2/18 – Mar. 6/18
Consultation materials – Jan/18
Board of Directors Minutes – Apr/18
Post consultation policy – Sep/18
-
Estimating Earning Capacity
Jan. 2/18 – Mar. 6/18
Consultation materials – Jan/18
Board of Directors Minutes – Apr/18
Post consultation policy – Sep/18
-
Interim Relief
Jan. 2/18 – Mar. 6/18
Consultation materials – Jan/18
Board of Directors Minutes – Apr/18
Post consultation policy – Sep/18
-
Code of Rights and Conduct
Jan. 2/18 – Mar. 6/18
Consultation materials – Jan/18
Board of Directors Minutes – Apr/18
Post consultation Code of Rights and Conduct – Sep/18
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Funding Policy
Jan. 2/18 – Mar. 6/18
Consultation materials – Jan/18
Board of Directors Minutes - Nov/18
Post consultation policy – Jan/19
