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FAIR PARTNERSHIP

What Is the Office of the Worker Adviser?

The Office of the Worker Adviser (OWA) is an independent agency of the Ontario Ministry of Labour (MOL). Our mandate is to provide free services in workplace insurance matters (formerly called workers' compensation) to non-unionized injured workers and to the survivors of injured workers whose death is work-related. The OWA is not part of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).

What Is the FAIR Partnership?

The Fatalities and Immediate Response (FAIR) Partnership is a joint project of WSIB, MOL, Threads of Life, and the OWA. Its goal is to provide timely and comprehensive assistance to survivors following a traumatic workplace fatality.

What Services Can the OWA Provide to Survivors?

For the purpose of the FAIR Partnership, the OWA will provide the following services to survivors:

  • information, advice and representation in workplace insurance / workers' compensation matters

  • an in-person visit with the families and survivors, upon request

  • general information and appropriate referrals for families and survivors regarding health and safety prosecutions, inquests, and accessing information through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)

  • appropriate referrals to WSIB, MOL, Threads of Life, and other community resources

  • referral to a lawyer where there is a possible third party civil action or other legal matters related to the traumatic fatality.

Who Can I Contact at the OWA?

The OWA contact person for the FAIR Partnership is Mary Tzaferis, Manager, Toronto and Eastern Region at 416-326-6690, or Victoria Drinkwater, Regional Service Coordinator at 416-325-0952.

For information about survivors' benefits, see OWA Fact Sheets 15 and 16 called "Survivors' Benefits" and "Calculating Survivors Benefits".

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
There are time limits for appealing WSIB decisions. If you wish to appeal a decision, contact a qualified representative as soon as possible. For more information on time limits, see OWA Fact Sheets 24 and 25 called Appealing to WSIB and Appealing to WSIAT.

This Fact Sheet contains general information only. It is not a legal document. To see what the law says, you should look at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act and WSIB policies. If you require help and do not have a union to assist you, contact the Office of the Worker Adviser:

  • Our toll free telephone number is 1-800-435-8980 (English) or 1-800-661-6365 (French)
  • or visit our website at http://www.owa.gov.on.ca
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OWA Fact Sheet 37 - September 2008
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