Brief
Manitoba Federation of Labour urges independent review of Workers Compensation Board
The federation says Manitoba’s injury‑prevention efforts are failing and asks for a review that compares the province with others.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Manitoba Federation of Labour (MFL) is calling for an independent review of the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) after data showed the province has the highest workplace injury rate in Canada, the outlet winnipegfreepress.com reported on Oct. 6, 2026.
What happened
WCB tracking indicates that last year 2.5 employees per 100 suffered a time‑loss injury – the highest figure among all provinces for three consecutive years. In 2025 the next‑closest rate was 2.04 in British Columbia. The local time‑loss injury rate has stayed between two and three per 100 workers for the past decade, with a peak of 2.9 in 2016.
What the reports add
The article notes that the MFL’s president, Kevin Rebeck, argues the province’s prevention work is failing and that an independent review could reveal why. He suggests the study compare Manitoba’s practices with those of other provinces and examine which data the WCB makes public. University of Manitoba labour‑studies professor Adam King adds that the official figures likely represent only the “tip of the iceberg,” because many injuries go unreported, especially among immigrant workers who may fear retaliation or lack knowledge of their rights.
What was said
“Our prevention work in Manitoba is failing Manitobans,” Rebeck told winnipegfreepress.com. “We need an independent review to help shine a light on, ‘What is happening on the prevention front of WCB?’” King said, “There’s a huge discrepancy between the number of injuries that actually take place in the economy and the number that are actually recognized as injuries.”
How it came about
The call follows a decade‑long pattern of injury rates hovering near three per 100 workers, a level that has not improved despite provincial safety initiatives. Earlier Felo News coverage of labour‑related issues, such as the federation’s stance on visa reforms for care workers, highlighted the organisation’s broader concerns about worker protections across sectors.
Key facts
- Manitoba’s time‑loss workplace injury rate was 2.5 per 100 workers in 2025, the highest in Canada. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- The rate has remained between two and three per 100 workers for the past decade. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Kevin Rebeck, president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour, called the province’s injury‑prevention work a failure. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Professor Adam King said many injuries likely go unreported, especially among immigrant workers. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Sources
- [1] winnipegfreepress.com — originally reported as “Manitoba Federation of Labour calls for independent review of Workers Compensation Board”
