Bill 8: WSIB Coverage for Workers in Residential Care Facilities and Group Homes Act, 2025

This bill directly affects operators of residential care facilities, retirement homes, rest homes, senior citizens' residences, and group homes in Ontario — whether privately or publicly run. These are businesses whose staff provide day-to-day personal care, support, and supervision to residents, including tasks like assisting with mobility, administering medications, preparing meals, and managing behavioral support. By reclassifying these employers as Schedule 1, they will be required to pay WSIB premiums and participate in the collective liability insurance framework, which particularly impacts smaller private operators — such as independently owned retirement homes or group homes with a handful of staff — who may not have previously carried WSIB coverage. Larger operators already complying with WSIB requirements may see less disruption, but all affected employers will need to register, report payroll, and pay premiums based on their industry classification rate.