Ontario Announces $2 Billion WSIB Spring Surplus Rebate in Response to U.S. Tariffs

April 16, 2025 | Angela Powell, Jemma Lewis

In November 2024, the Government of Ontario announced the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) would return $2 billion in surplus funds to eligible Ontario businesses; 280,000 businesses qualified. These businesses received their surplus rebate in February and March, 2025.

Now, the Government has announced it will distribute an additional $2 billion in surplus funds to help Ontario businesses respond to the economic uncertainty resulting from the Trump tariffs (“Spring Surplus Rebate”). The Spring Surplus Rebate will be provided to select Schedule 1 businesses, and the WSIB will announce eligibility criteria soon. Sherrard Kuzz LLP will keep readers apprised.

If an employer is eligible for the Spring Surplus Rebate, the WSIB will apply the rebate as a credit to the employer’s account, and automatically apply the credit against future premiums owed. If an employer is up to date with its premium payment and reporting obligations, it can request a cheque for any credits on its account.

To read the full Sherrard Kuzz LLP Briefing Note please click here.