Written by: Josh Buchanan, Magnaltus Consulting

If you are operating a business in Saskatchewan, it is important to be aware of Workers’ Compensation insurance and register for a Workers’ Compensation account with the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) of Saskatchewan, when required. 

Workers’ Compensation is an insurance system for workplace injuries funded by employers. It is a no-fault system provided by the Saskatchewan WCB. Each province has its own governing body with separate rules and regulations. The coverage protects employers against lawsuits from workplace injuries and provides wage-loss benefits and medical treatment coverage to injured workers. 

Under the WCB’s governing legislation, the Workers’ Compensation Act, all employers operating in industries covered under Saskatchewan’s legislation who hire workers on a regular, casual, or contractual basis must register and create an account with the WCB. This includes workers who are not on payroll, but are simply independent contractors. A private insurance policy does not eliminate the need for WCB coverage. 

If you are self-employed as a sole proprietor or in a partnership, you are not required to have Workers’ Compensation coverage for yourself. As of January 1, 2025, directors of corporations receiving wages reported on a T4 are no longer included in the definition of a worker and are no longer required to have Workers’ Compensation. Therefore, if you own and operate a corporation, you are no longer required to obtain Workers’ Compensation coverage for yourself. 

However, in either situation, Workers’ Compensation is generally required if the business has other employees or contractors.  

In the event that a director of a corporation or a self-employed individual would like to opt in for Workers’ Compensation, there is an option to purchase personal coverage through the WCB. Optional personal coverage insures you against wage loss and provides medical and rehabilitation benefits if you are injured at work. 

Some industries are exempt from having to register with the WCB, such as most farming industries and door-to-door sales. All exempt industries are listed in section three of the Workers’ Compensation Miscellaneous Regulations. Businesses that are exempt still have the option to register voluntarily.  

For businesses that are required to register with the WCB, registration must occur within 30 days of hiring employees or contractors. In order to register for an account, the WCB will require the following information: 

• The federal business number of the business 

• Complete legal name(s) of the business/business owners  

• A list of contractors including the type of work and contract amounts 

• An estimate of payroll amounts for workers and covered directors of the business 

• The start date of operations and the start date of the first worker 

• Address and contact information 

There is no charge for registering an account with the WCB if you are part of a mandatory industry. However, there is a minimum account fee of $100 per year if your WCB insurance premiums do not surpass this amount. Registration for a WCB account can be done online, by phone, fax, or by mail.   

Failure to register or comply with WCB rules can result in late penalties and other fines. Additionally, unregistered employers may be required to pay the total compensation costs of the injury and may be required to pay a minimum of three years in retroactive insurance premiums. 

If a workplace injury occurs, businesses must report it to the WCB within five days of learning of the injury. Reporting can be done online with a WCB Online Account. 

The annual WCB insurance premiums for a business are based on three main factors: 

1. The industry the business operates in 

1. The amount of payroll paid to employees 

1. The claims history of the business 

Each industry is assigned an industry premium rate which is updated annually. Industries with higher risk of workplace injury and higher previous claim totals have higher premium rates. Industries with lower risk of workplace injury and lower previous claim totals have lower premium rates. The premium rate is applied to every $100 of a business’s annual payroll. 

For example, in 2025, the premium rate for restaurants is 0.90. A new restaurant that pays out a total of $250,000 in wages to employees over the course of a year would have an annual WCB premium of $2,250. Because payroll was $250,000 and the premium is $0.90 for every $100 of payroll: ($250,000/$100)*0.90 = $2,250.  

Registering for a Workers’ Compensation account with the WCB can seem like just another daunting task for business owners to face. However, it is a very important step to properly protect employees and the employer. Like sales tax accounts and business licenses, the first step of getting registered is often the most difficult, and ongoing reporting and compliance becomes easier as the business owner becomes more experienced with the process.  

Sources: 

Workers’ Compensation Board of Saskatchewan – https://www.wcbsask.com/ 

Optional Personal WCB Coverage – https://www.wcbsask.com/optional-personal-coverage 

Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board Videos – https://www.youtube.com/@SaskWorkersCompensationBoard/videos 

Workers’ Compensation Information Brochure – https://www.wcbsask.com/sites/default/files/2024-09/Information%20for%20employers%20brochure.pdf 

Workers’ Compensation Premiums – https://www.wcbsask.com/premium-rates-and-how-theyre-set