Mobilization of Social
Services Fact Sheet
WSIB
Premiums/Departure Fees
Who we are Mobilization
of Social Services (M.O.S.S.), formed in
1998, is an alliance of approximately 265
Social Service agencies in Ontario, through
their representative associations.
Collectively, they serve some of the most
vulnerable children, youth and adults in our
society, including people in conflict with
the law, in conflict with their families or
schools, in need of protection, with mental
health challenges, or with developmental and
physical disabilities.
·
Ontario Agencies Supporting
Individuals with Special Needs.
·
Ontario Association for
Community Living
·
Ontario Children's and Youth
Associations (OntChild) provides residential
and non-residential services to clients aged
13 to 21 years. OntChild advocates for its
clients to government, other service
providers, and the community at large.
WSIB issue MOSS was
formed to address the issues facing these
agencies over increasing Workplace Safety
and Insurance Board (WSIB) premiums and
declining financial support from their
funders.
WSIB Premiums and Agency Needs
Increasing
Premiums: WSIB premiums
increased over 600% from 1994 to 1998, from
$9.5 Million to $23.5 Million, a $14 Million
increase over four years.
Departure
Fees: WSIB instituted
departure fees, ranging from $20,000 to
several hundred thousand dollars, charged to
any agency who tried to opt out of WSIB to
find alternative coverage.
Falling
Funding: Ministry of
Community and Social Services (MCSS) funding
has decreased when WSIB premiums have
increased.
The Result:
Agencies cannot afford to pay WSIB premiums
that have dramatically escalated when their
major source of revenue has been
substantially reduced. When departure fees
were imposed, the agencies represented by
M.O.S.S. are caught in a "Catch 22." They
cannot afford to stay in W.S.I.B, yet they
cannot afford to opt out because the
departure fees were too high. One agency,
unable to pay either premiums or departure
fees, was threatened with writ of seizure
for property and assets. If this were to
happen, assets, many of which were purchased
with taxpayer dollars, would be seized and
become the property of W.S.I.B., a crown
corporation. W.S.I.B. also has the right to
freeze bank accounts for non-payment of
premiums.
Funded by government,
and without other means to increase revenue,
they do not have the funds to absorb this
cost of doing business.
Because many agencies
go into debt to pay their premiums, their
long term viability and services for clients
(among the most vulnerable of Ontarians) are
threatened.
What MOSS needs
The chair and the staff
of W.S.I.B. have been helpful in dealing
with specific issues raised by M.O.S.S.
agencies. The W.S.I.B Board has supported
the cause and premiums have lowered from
1998-2001. A freeze on the issue of Writs of
Seizure has been negotiated, as well as a
temporary freeze on departure fees.
In addition, many
social service agencies are trying to modify
their management practices to suit the
expectation that they should operate more
like businesses. Many standard business
practices, however, are denied these
agencies. M.O.S.S. has developed a "Tool
Kit," a list of business practices that are
currently not available to social service
agencies, but which would go a long way to
helping social service agencies be more
effective and efficient.
We are looking for
advice and assistance to deal with these
challenges. They are restricting our ability
to deliver programs to some of Ontario's
most vulnerable and volatile children, youth
and adults.
Information contact:
Mandy
Bennett, Chair of M.O.S.S.
519-435-1099
ext. 102
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