August 15, 2008
Most WSIB premium rates for 2009 will see a slight increase, with garden centres taking the biggest percentage hike at 5.3 per cent. Other categories to see an increase are lawn care at 2.0 per cent and snow plowing at 1.6 per cent. There is no change for the contractor and nursery categories.

Last year, contractor and snow plowing groups saw decreased rates of 4.6 and 2.4 per cent, respectively, while garden centres had the biggest increase at 3.1 per cent. Nursery and lawn care went up 1.3 and 1.6 per cent, respectively.

Unfortunately, firms in some of our sectors are included with groups outside the landscape industry. For example, garden centres are categorized with department stores, big box stores, etc.
 
Rate Group Industry sector 2001 rate 2002 rate 2003 rate 2004 rate 2005 rate 2006 rate 2007 rate 2008 rate Projected 2009 rate % of change from 2008
190 Contractor 6.72 6.22 5.45 5.07 4.69 4.77 4.52 4.31 4.31 N/C
184 Lawn Care 2.13 2.21 2.13 2.13 2.19 2.45 2.45 2.49 2.54 +2.0%
181 Nursery 3.67 3.47 3.35 3.22 3.03 3.10 3.10 3.14 3.14 N/C
636 Garden Centre 1.02 1.21 1.23 1.22 1.19 1.24 1.29 1.33 1.40 +5.3%
570 Snow Plowing 5.31 5.61 5.94 5.83 5.68 5.84 5.84 5.70 5.79 +1.6%
To clarify, the chart gave rates for horticultural sectors that are subcategories of the Rate Groups cited. For example, Snow Plowing is a subcategory of Rate Group 570, General Trucking. Detailed information on WSIB rates can be found at www.wsib.on.ca/wsib/wsibsite.nsf/public/premiumrates2009.