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Artist: Paraskeva Clark, Title: Parachute Riggers, Accession Number: 19710261-5679, Beaverbrook Collection of War Art ©Canadian War Museum (CWM)








What is the OWA?


The Office of the Worker Adviser (OWA) is an independent agency of the Ontario Ministry of Labour. The OWA provides free services to non-unionized injured workers and their survivors in workplace insurance matters (formerly called workers' compensation).

The OWA was established in 1985, along with the Office of the Employer Adviser (OEA) and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT).

The OWA is not part of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).

What's New?
Photo de la statue commémorant les employés chinois des chemins de fer.  La statue se trouve à Toronto, en Ontario.


WSIB Work Reintegration Complaints Office

WSIB has introduced a new Work Reintegration (WR) Complaints Office. The office assists workers who have a complaint about the quality of the services in their work transition (WT) program. In particular, the office will assist with complaints about external service providers, such as public and private colleges, employment placement / retention service providers and vocational / functional assessment providers.

Workers are asked to speak with their Case Manager or WT Specialist about their concern before contacting the WR Complaints Office.

The WR Complaints Office cannot make or overturn decisions related to a WT plan, and cannot make specific recommendations to the Case Manager or WT Specialist. Making a complaint to this office does not amount to an appeal of a WSIB decision.

For more information, please see the WSIB Website.

Posted January 24, 2012

LifeQuilt Logo and link to the LifeQuilt Website


The Canadian LifeQuilt is a unique and permanent memorial dedicated to the thousands of young women and men ages 15 to 24 killed and injured on the job. 

Read the Threads of Life newsletters.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, the Office of the Worker Adviser (OWA) makes every effort to ensure that services are provided in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. Please notify OWA staff if you require any accommodations to meet your individual needs.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Office of the Worker Adviser (OWA) charge for services?

What can the OWA do for me?

What if I belong to a union?

What if my union will not represent me?

Is the OWA part of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)?

Can the OWA see my WSIB claim file?

Can I see what is in my WSIB claim file?

Can my employer see my WSIB claim file?

What if I am hurt in another province?

What should I do if I cannot return to my pre-injury job?



Workers' Information Kits

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Ontario Ministry of Labour

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

WSIB - Operational Policy Manual (OPM)

Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT)

Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997


Ontario Regulation 175/98



Ontario Regulation 259/92
Reinstatement in the Construction Industry


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