Apply for Coverage

Workers compensation coverage is required for most businesses in Manitoba. If you are in a mandatory industry, everyone who works for your business is considered a worker and is entitled to WCB coverage regardless of:

• the number of hours they work
• the structure of their pay
• the nature of their work in relation to your primary business operation
• the location.

This includes:

• contract workers
• apprentices and learners
• family members
• domestic service workers (who work more than 24 hours/week).

Note: If you hire one domestic worker who works more than 24 hours per week and another domestic worker for less than 24 hours a week, you must provide coverage for all of your domestic service workers.

Mandatory industries include:

• Agriculture and forestry
• Mines, quarries and oil wells
• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Transportation, communications and storage
• Trade (retail)
• Service
• Public administration.

Yes. Workers compensation coverage is provided automatically to the following volunteer emergency workers:

• volunteer firefighters and ambulance attendants
• individuals called to duty under the Wildfires Act. These workers are provided WCB coverage for the period of time they are engaged to assist with fire protection services and are considered workers of the Government of Manitoba.

In these situations, the Province of Manitoba is considered their employer.

Yes, however in most cases workers compensation coverage is provided by the Province of Manitoba.  Students on a work experience through the following institutions have workers compensation through the Province:

• Universities of Manitoba, Winnipeg and Brandon
• University College of the North
• College Universitaire de Saint-Boniface
• Assiniboine Community College
• Red River College
• High school.

Other institutions may also apply for workers compensation coverage for their students in work experience programs. If the employer is in a mandatory industry, the training institute and the individual’s employer are both responsible for the coverage.

Yes. Employers who hire Green Team members through the Government of Manitoba grant program are required to provide WCB coverage for these employees. Providing workers compensation to Green Team members is a condition of receiving the grant, whether the employer is in a mandatory industry or not.