News Release WorkSafeNB Releases 2025 Annual Report Highlighting Strong Performance, Safer Workplaces and Continued Modernization

July 9, 2026

WorkSafeNB has released its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting another year of strong performance for New Brunswick workers, employers, and the provincial economy. The report outlines continued progress in workplace health and safety, improved services for injured workers, historic financial strength, and major advancements in modernization and psychological health initiatives.

The report also marks the first full year under WorkSafeNB’s 2025–2029 strategic plan, focused on building safer workplaces, improving recovery outcomes, modernizing services, and strengthening long-term sustainability.

“2025 was a year of strong momentum and meaningful progress,” said Tim Petersen, WorkSafeNB’s president and CEO. “We continued to strengthen and modernize our system for workers and employers while maintaining one of the most competitive assessment rates in Canada. We improved timeliness for injured workers, expanded mental health supports, and improved benefits for surviving families. While we are encouraged by the progress we’ve made, preventing serious injuries and workplace fatalities remains a critical priority because every worker deserves to return home safely.”

Highlights from the 2025 Annual Report include:

• Lowest assessment rate in WorkSafeNB history maintained at $1.10, the second lowest in Canada.
• More than $53 million returned to eligible employers through performance refunds, following $180.6 million distributed in 2024.
• Strong funded position of 161%, reinforcing long-term sustainability and stability for the system.
• Increased benefit level to 90% for surviving spouses, ensuring fair and consistent support for families when they need it most.
• Workplace fatalities declined from 15 in 2024 to 9 in 2025.
• Traumatic psychological injury claims decreased by 26%, reflecting increased prevention and mental health supports.
• Average claim duration improved by more than 80 days since 2021, helping workers recover and return to work sooner.
• Continued modernization progress through initiatives such as SPARC, WorkSafeNB’s new HR and finance system designed to improve efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.
• Expanded mental health partnerships and supports for trauma-exposed workers, including collaborations with Wounded Warriors Canada and the Paramedic Association of New Brunswick.
• Employee engagement increased to 76%, significantly above industry benchmarks. 

• WorkSafeNB recognized as one of Atlantic Canada’s Top Employers for 2025.

“These results reflect the shared commitment of workers, employers, our board, and our employees to creating safer workplaces and a stronger compensation system,” said Mel Norton chairman of WorkSafeNB’s board of directors. “We are seeing the impact of prevention, strong governance, and responsible financial stewardship.”

The report highlights WorkSafeNB’s continued focus on prevention, timely service, strong partnerships, and innovation while reinforcing its vision of making New Brunswick the safest place to work.

Read the full report.