Richmond, B.C. (Jan. 5, 2026) — B.C. employers will see no change to the average base premium rate from WorkSafeBC in 2026. For the ninth consecutive year, WorkSafeBC has set the average base rate at $1.55 per $100 of assessable payroll.
Annual base premium rates are driven by provincial injury rates, return-to-work performance and the resulting cost of claims, as well as investment returns.
Each year, the costs in some industries go up, some go down and others stay the same. In 2026, 39 per cent of employers in B.C. will experience a decrease in their industry base rate, 47 per cent will see their industry base rate increase, and 14 per cent will see no change.
Given the economic uncertainties facing the province, WorkSafeBC made changes to the maximum increases and decreases in 2026 rates for B.C. industries, which have normally been capped at 20 per cent. For 2026, rate increases were capped at 10 per cent, while rate decreases were allowed to reach up to approximately 40 per cent. This change is intended to provide greater rate stability for B.C. employers during challenging economic times.
Maintaining rate stability through surplus funds
WorkSafeBC’s sound financial position in recent years has enabled improvements in the workers’ compensation system for injured workers, while keeping rates stable for employers.
WorkSafeBC’s rate-setting approach includes mechanisms to return surplus funds to employers when the funding level exceeds its target. In 2026, WorkSafeBC is returning an estimated $570 million of surplus funds to employers by pricing premium rates below system costs.
The average base premium rate of $1.55 in 2026 is 15 per cent less than the average cost rate of $1.83, with the difference funded by the surplus.
Between 2019 and 2026, WorkSafeBC projects that $3 billion of surplus funds will have been returned to employers by pricing premium rates below the cost to run the workers’ compensation system.
Looking ahead
Looking at the year ahead, WorkSafeBC is continuing to see upward claim-cost pressures and a continued reduction in the surplus. If these trends continue, it could lead to a moderate increase in premium rates in the near future. WorkSafeBC will continue to closely monitor cost pressures and keep rates as stable as possible.
The preliminary rates for 2027 will be announced in July of this year.
The Workers Compensation Act requires WorkSafeBC to set premium rates annually for employers to pay for the workers' compensation system. Premiums fund the costs associated with work-related injuries or diseases, health care, wage loss, rehabilitation and administration.
The workers’ compensation system is independently funded by employer premiums and investment returns. WorkSafeBC does not receive any funding from the provincial government.
Key facts:
- Some of the key sectors benefiting from rate reductions this year include:
- Sawmills (-40 per cent)
- Framing or Residential Forming (-39.9 per cent)
- Dairy Farming (-32.2 per cent)
- Restaurants (-25.6 per cent)
- Prehospital Emergency Health Care (-23.5 per cent)
- Retirement Homes (-13.4 per cent)
Backgrounders
- Media Backgrounder:
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