Saint John, N.B. – At its Annual General Meeting, WorkSafeNB announced a $151.2 million performance refund for eligible employers and confirmed that its average assessment rate will remain at $1.10 per $100 of assessable payroll in 2027. This is the lowest in WorkSafeNB’s history and, for the third consecutive year, among the lowest in Canada.
“New Brunswick employers are navigating rising operating costs, tariff uncertainty and other economic pressures,” said Tim Petersen, President and CEO of WorkSafeNB. “Maintaining the lowest assessment rate in our history and returning more than $151 million to employers provides meaningful support at a time when costs are high, while continuing to provide the benefits and services injured workers rely on.”
“The Board recognizes the challenges employers are facing and the importance of keeping New Brunswick competitive,” said Mel Norton, Chair of WorkSafeNB’s Board of Directors. “We are in a position to provide relief to employers today while protecting the long-term strength of the workers’ compensation system.”
WorkSafeNB ended 2025 in a very strong financial position, with a funded position of 161.0%, driven largely by excellent investment performance and the continued efforts of New Brunswick employers and workers to create safer workplaces. The Board’s funding policy allows for rate rebates and performance refunds when the funding position exceeds their 115% - 125% target.
For 2026 performance refunds greater than $1,000 will be issued by cheque while smaller refunds will be credited to employers’ WorkSafeNB accounts.
WorkSafeNB’s strong financial position also allows the organization to set the average assessment rate below the projected cost of the compensation system, resulting in an additional $52.6 million rebate for New Brunswick employers.
Since 2023, annual rate rebates and performance refunds have returned more than $550 million to employers, while WorkSafeNB has continued to strengthen benefits and services for injured workers and invest in safer workplaces.
Future costs will continue to be influenced by factors such as injury volumes, health-care costs, claim duration, payroll growth and investment performance. WorkSafeNB remains focused on maintaining a strong, sustainable workers’ compensation system for New Brunswick workers and employers.
WorkSafeNB also announced no change in the rate charged to fund the Firefighters’ Compensation Act’s disability fund–maintaining the rate at $220 per firefighter.
Full AGM results and materials are available on the WorkSafeNB website.
The presentation for our Annual General Meeting is available here.
For more information on how WorkSafeNB determines assessment rates: WorkSafeNB | Assessment Rates
For more information on the performance refund: WorkSafeNB | Performance Refund
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