The WSIB's $42 million oopsie

Plus, Ontario's rent control problem and missed opportunities to save millions [The Star] First Up [By Kevin Jiang] By Kevin Jiang Good morning. Here’s the latest on WSIB accidentally shortchanging workers for 20 years, rent control in Ontario and the province missing out on opportunities to save taxpayers millions. DON’T MISS Canadian Press File Photo star exclusive [WSIB will pay out $42 million after shortchanging 100,000 injured workers]( Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) accidentally underpaid more than 100,000 injured workers — for a total of $42 million — after a coding error went unnoticed for 20 years. The board has now sent letters to affected workers, promising they’ll get their missing funds within six weeks once they sign into a WSIB portal and confirm their identity. “We screwed up,” WSIB president and CEO Jeff Lang said in an exclusive interview with the Star, adding that workers “have a right to be frustrated.” While most payments will be under $70 (plus interest), some range up to $40,000. [Here’s what’s behind the error and how you can get your money](. - Wait, what? According to Lang, the glitch began in 1998 after legislative changes to the way cost-of-living adjustments were calculated. Another change in 2018 meant the code was rewritten, fixing the mistake – but it wasn’t noticed until 2019. - Meanwhile: A Star investigation earlier this summer found that while chronic stress is a recognized workplace injury, more than 90 per cent of these claims are rejected by the WSIB – [rates that far exceed any other workplace injury claims](. Canadian Press/Cole Burston housing [Their Toronto landlord raised rent by $7,000 — now they’re fighting for “real rent control” in Ontario]( When Toronto sisters Yumna and Khadeja Farooq learned their rent would be skyrocketing from $2,500 to $9,500 per month, it felt like the rug had been pulled out from under them. The dramatic jump was introduced after the siblings voiced concerns to their landlord about a host of issues, including “malfunctioning items” they had paid to repair — but which they allege were their landlord’s responsibility. Now the sisters are collaborating with NDP MPP Jill Andrew to push for “real rent control” across Ontario. [First Up’s Manuela Vega explains the loopholes perforating rent control in the province and what needs to change](. - Context: In November of 2018, Premier Doug Ford amended Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act to [effectively scrap rent control for new buildings and rental units that had not been occupied before that date](. - Bad news for: Renters who moved in the last five years, as tenants began reporting double-digit price hikes just a year after the amendment passed. [Experts warned the change could lead to increased evictions as renters struggle with exorbitant fees](. Dreamstime Photo star exclusive [Ontario’s missing out on an opportunity to save taxpayers millions]( A new report being released today from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce found the province’s $30 billion procurement process could be costing millions more than necessary due to short-term savings being prioritized over long-term value. For example, buying cheaper laptops might save money up front, but the goods may need to be replaced sooner, leading to greater long-term costs. Similarly, buying some supplies in bulk — like pharmaceuticals — may be cheaper, but could lead to future shortages, the report’s author said. By streamlining the process and putting more emphasis on quality, [Ontario’s procurement process could save money long-term and support the province’s local businesses](. - Now what? A spokesperson for Ontario’s Treasury Board Secretariat told the Star they will review the report. Supply Ontario, which is in charge of improving and updating procurement, said they’re reviewing the findings as well. - Meanwhile: Ontario changed the rules in 2022 so the procurement of goods by the public sector [must give preference to local companies.]( WHAT ELSE Who funded Olivia Chow’s win? How much did Xiao Hua Gong spend? [Here’s the tea on Toronto election financing](. “Everything is at risk.” [Mayor Olivia Chow is campaigning for a new way to fund Toronto’s collapsing budget](. “We’re not there yet.” [Post-COVID recovery is still plaguing waterfront businesses](. Health Canada has approved Moderna’s updated vaccine for its [fall booster campaign](. “It’s me, it was me that did it.” [A Windsor court viewed footage of an alleged white-nationalist killer’s arrest](. A Toronto man has been charged after a [30-minute racist, misogynistic tirade at a Black female TTC bus driver](. [Peel school board is reinstating some of the nearly 500 “casual workers”]( laid-off days before the start of school. [Student mental health has taken a steep decline]( since the pandemic, according to Toronto’s top doctor. U.S. Speaker Kevin McCarthy has directed the House to [open an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden](. Serial killer and former police officer Anthony Sully has [died on death row in a California prison](. [Taylor Swift took home the top prize at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards]( for her “Anti-Hero” music video. Time for a new toy? [Here are six noteworthy features coming to the iPhone 15](. POV Supplied Photo [Forcing senior couples apart in long-term care must stop.]( CLOSE-UP Demiroren News Agency/AFP via Getty Images TURKEY: American researcher and caver Mark Dickey talks to journalists after being pulled from Morca Cave on Tuesday — [more than a week after he fell seriously ill 1,000 metres below its entrance](. Before I go, Monday’s edition of First Up erroneously said the trial of accused terrorist Nathaniel Veltman was taking place in London, when it is in fact being held in a Windsor courthouse. Sorry for any confusion. Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_198826). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [View in Browser]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](