Document name
Travel Expense Rates
Document number
PRO 07/2023

Effective date: June 1, 2023

Application: Applies to all travel expenses incurred by an injured worker, dependant and WCB staff.

Policy subject: Allowance and expenses

Purpose:

To establish rates for covering travel expenses.

BACKGROUND

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  1. POL 04/2023, Travel Expense Rates, authorizes the Assistant Director of Legal and Policy to revise travel expense rates automatically following changes to the Saskatchewan Public Service Commission (PSC) rates.
     
  2. The Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) travel expense rates are rounded to the nearest cent (POL 04/2023, Travel Expense Rates).

PROCEDURE

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  1. Travel expenses are covered based on the rates in effect on the date of travel. These rates are applicable to injured workers, dependants and WCB staff.
     
  2. For travel expenses where actual costs will be reimbursed (i.e., public transportation, hotels, taxis) and not a pre-determined travel rate, copies of original receipts must be submitted for reimbursement. Original receipts must be retained for 12 months from submission date, as they may be requested by the WCB for audit purposes.

Travel and meal expenses

  1. If a personal vehicle is used, travel coverage will not exceed the rates outlined in Appendix A – Private Vehicle Travel Rates.
     
  2. If travel outside of the province is required, the most economical means of public transportation (e.g., airfare) will be covered, if appropriate. This includes the actual cost of a taxi or specialized transportation to and from airports and hotels (POL 05/2023, Travel Expenses - General).
     
  3. Coverage of meal expenses for travel within Saskatchewan and outside of Saskatchewan will not exceed the rates outlined in Appendix B – Meal Rates.

Lodging

  1. Hotel accommodations are covered based on actual and reasonable costs.
     
  2. Coverage of hotel accommodations will be authorized for:
    1. An injured worker and/or a dependant requiring accommodation in order to attend WCB authorized medical treatment or vocational programming.
    2. WCB staff travelling on WCB business. WCB staff are encouraged to use businesses that have established competitive government rates or to request government rates, wherever possible.
  3. The rate for private accommodations is outlined in Appendix C – Private Accommodation.
     
  4. If an injured worker or WCB staff travel out of country:
    1. Actual costs in another currency (e.g., USD) will be paid in Canadian currency. The exchange rate will be based on the average Bank of Canada conversions for the period of time travelled. 
    2. The per diem out-of-province meal rate in effect at the time of travel will apply, but will be paid in Canadian currency.
      For example, if an injured worker travels to the United States for treatment on November 1, 2022, a per diem meal rate of $61(USD) will apply and paid in Canadian currency.

Policy references

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Legislative Authority

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Document History

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  1. November 20, 2023. Housekeeping change to clarify departure and return time guidelines.
  2. PRO 04/2023, Travel Expense Rates (effective June 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023). 
  3. June 1, 2023. Reference to Corporate Policy Manager updated to Assistant Director of Legal and Policy. Out of country travel guidelines clarified in PRO.
  4. POL and PRO 01/2019, Travel Expense Rates (effective January 1, 2019 to May 31, 2023).
  5. May 1, 2023. Ordinary per km mileage rate maintained at 55¢; premium (north of the 54th parallel) decreased from 60¢ to 59¢.
  6. November 1, 2022. Ordinary per km mileage rate increased from 51¢ to 55¢; premium (north of the 54th parallel) increased from 55¢ to 60¢.
  7. May 1, 2022. Ordinary per km mileage rate increased from 49¢ to 51¢; premium (north of the 54th parallel) increased from 52¢ to 55¢.
  8. November 1, 2021. Ordinary per km mileage rate increased from 47¢ to 49¢; premium (north of the 54th parallel) increased from 51¢ to 52¢.
  9. May 1, 2021. Ordinary per km mileage rate increased from 45¢ to 47¢; premium (north of the 54th parallel) increased from 49¢ to 51¢.
  10. November 1, 2020. Ordinary per km mileage rate decreased from 46¢ to 45¢; premium (north of the 54th parallel) decreased from 50¢ to 49¢.
  11. May 1, 2020. Mileage rate for north of the 54th parallel updated from 49¢ to 50¢.
  12. March 1, 2020. Meal rates updated.
  13.  November 1, 2019. Ordinary per km mileage rate updated from 45¢ to 46¢.
  14. January 1, 2019. Corporate Policy Manager authorized to revise travel expense rates following changes to the Saskatchewan Public Service Commission (PSC) rates.
  15. POL 02/2012, Expenses – Travel and Sustenance – PSC Rates (effective January 10, 2012 to December 31, 2018).

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Complements

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