Recent amendments to the Workers' Compensation Act
Amendments to The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013 came into effect on Aug. 1, 2025.
These amendments make Saskatchewan a leader in ensuring wildland firefighters have access to presumptive cancer coverage, expanding coverage in some cases for out-of-province workers and assuring that licensed health-care providers practicing outside Saskatchewan are recognized to provide service to workers.
Policy listing
Policy updates
Injuries – Firefighters (POL & PRO 28/2025)
This policy and procedure are amended to include wildland firefighters in the adjudication of cancer and cardiac claims for firefighters, in accordance with amendments to The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013 (Bill 4).
Coverage – Volunteer Firefighters (POL & PRO 29/2025)
This policy and procedure are amended to include wildland firefighters in coverage for volunteer firefighters in accordance with amendments to The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013 (Bill 4). The policy and procedure will also add municipal boards to Saskatchewan municipalities that a volunteer firefighter must be registered with as the municipal boards are considered extensions of municipalities.
Injuries – Following a Work Injury (POL & PRO 22/2025)
This new policy and procedure establish guidelines for the adjudication of secondary injuries that occur as a result of an initial work-related injury. They also outline situations where a secondary injury may not be compensable.
The new policy will replace POL 04/2011 - Injuries – Travelling for or Attending Medical Aid or Return to Work Programming and clarifies that the WCB can consider secondary injuries that occur any time after a work injury and not only when travelling for or attending medical aid or return to work programming.
Enterprise Risk Management (POL & ADM PRO 23/2025)
As an oversight body and through its governance duties, the WCB Board Members are responsible for monitoring risk factors through an Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework. This includes stewardship of its resources and responsibilities in fulfilling he mission, vision, values and strategic initiatives for the WCB. There is currently no formal policy or procedure in relation to ERM therefore policy has been approved outlining the WCB’s commitment to risk management. An ADM procedure has also been approved. The procedure introduces the risk register and the roles and responsibilities in the ERM framework.
Internal Audit will be in touch with the leaders in each department regarding training on ERM responsibilities.
Coverage – Students in Work Experience Programs (POL 24/2025)
This policy defines circumstances for providing coverage to students in work experience programs. In accordance with Section (1)(11)(iv)(v) of the Act (which was amended through Bill 138), the policy has been updated to reflect the approved work experience programs recognized by the Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety.
