November 2024

FRANÇAIS | ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ

While lifting and carrying loads may not be part of daily tasks at your workplace, most workers have to lift and carry materials at work at some point. The first step to avoiding lift and twist incidents is to identify tasks or hazards that may lead to these incidents.

Supervisors and workers should work together to assess potential lift and twist hazards in their workplace. Examples of these hazards may include, but are not limited to:



• Heavy items that need to be moved regularly. This could be a heavy box of paper in an office, or a load of gravel at a construction site.
• Lack of training for materials handling. It’s important to train workers in how to properly lift and carry loads to avoid injury.
• Slippery or uneven floors, particularly on loading docks, or stock rooms where workers will be carrying items.

Employers and supervisors: start the conversation with your workers about lift and twist hazards at your worksite using our Toolbox Talk on Lift and Twisting Hazards.

Starting January 1, 2025, the NWT and Nunavut will each have a distinct YMIR (Year’s Maximum Insurable Remuneration) value.



The decision to establish separate YMIR values is to ensure that a minimum of 70% of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut workforces will have their earnings totally covered in the event of an injury. Each value will reflect the actual wage growth derived from data analysis of Statistics Canada’s Average Weekly Earnings for NWT and Nunavut.

YMIR is calculated annually and is a maximum dollar amount that sets a cap on maximum remuneration for calculating workers’ compensation benefits and sets a limit on employers’ assessable payroll.

YMIR values and employer Assessment Rates for the year ahead are announced annually in late November.

Employers applying for a municipal business licence in Nunavut are no longer required to obtain and submit a WSCC issued certificate of compliance with their application.

Effective October 1, 2024, businesses must submit a new Certificate of Compliance form to self-certify that they are in compliance with the Workers’ Compensation Act.

This legislative change under the Cities, Towns and Villages Act and the Hamlets Act was made to improve the application process.

For assistance with the new form, please contact Community Development at cgs.cd.hq@gov.nu.ca

For further information about compliance with the Workers’ Compensation Act, please contact Employer Services at EmployerNU@wscc.nu.ca or by phone at 1-877-404-4407.

November 30, 2024 – Payroll Estimate Revision

Changes of 25% or greater to your payroll estimate must be reported by November 30 to avoid potential penalties. To report changes, visit WSCC Connect.

December 31, 2024 – Personal Optional Coverage Renewal

If you are a business owner, partner, registered director, or owner of a sole proprietorship, you can apply for Personal Optional Coverage. This means that you can have the same workers’ compensation benefits as a worker and receive benefits in case of a workplace injury. You can apply for 1 to 12 months of coverage.

If you currently have Personal Optional Coverage, you can reapply before January 1, 2025, to ensure continuous coverage. To apply or renew your Personal Optional Coverage, Complete this form, updated for 2025. 

January 1, 2025 – Annual Payroll Reporting Submissions Open

(Due February 28, 2025)

Employers can submit their Annual Payroll Report (APR) as early as January 1, 2025. You will receive your APR package by mail in early December with submission instructions. Note that for your 2025 payroll estimate, use the YMIR value for your reporting territory. As of January 1, 2025, NWT and Nunavut have each distinct Year’s Maximum Insurable Remuneration (YMIR) value. Submitting an APR is mandatory, even if you are reporting zero (0) payroll. To avoid the late reporting penalty of 15% of your previous year's assessment, submit your APR on or before February 28, 2025. Submit your report through WSCC Connect.

Office Closures

All WSCC Offices are closed for Remembrance Day on Monday, November 11, and reopen on Tuesday, November 12, at 8:30 a.m.

To report a serious workplace injury or incident, call 1-800-661-0792.

To report unsafe work, use our online Report Unsafe Work service on WSCC Connect.

wscc.nt.ca 1.800.661.0792 | wscc.nu.ca 1.877.404.4407