Yellowknife, NT/Iqaluit, NU (November 19, 2025) – The Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) announces that the average employer assessment rate will remain steady at $2.40 per $100 of assessable payroll in 2026.
This is the rate the WSCC would need to charge if all employers paid the same amount and is used as the starting point when setting industry group rates. There has been no change to this rate since 2020.
“Keeping the average base rate steady is very positive as we work to ensure a financially sustainable system for both workers and employers”, said Rick Hunt, WSCC President and CEO. “The biggest factor in determining what each employer is responsible for paying to the Workers’ Protection Fund is the cost of workplace injuries for their industry group. When employers invest in safety, prevent injuries, and support recovery at work everyone benefits”.
Subclasses are groups of employers who have similar operations and share similar risks. Each employer pays an annual assessment based on the group rate for their industry and the size of their payroll. Assessment rates reflect each industry’s actual claims cost experience.
9 subclasses of employers in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut will see rate decreases and 7 will see increases in 2026.
Examples of industries with rate increases for next year include Ground Transportation and Construction Services.
Examples of industries with a decrease in rates include Sales, Services & Manufacturing, and Mining Exploration Services.
Starting this year, employers can now conveniently access their individual assessment rate notification letter through their account on WSCC Connect.
Current and historical rates by Class & Subclass and by Specific Industry for all industries are publicly available through WSCC’s online services.
These rates come into effect January 1, 2026.
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Maggie Collins
Communications Manager
T: (867) 920-3854