Letter to WSIB President and CEO: Language and Cultural Advisors

20 November 2023

 

Mr. Jeffery A. Lang
President and CEO
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
200 Front Street West
Simcoe Pl. 19th floor
Toronto, Ontario
M5V 3J1

 

Dear Mr. Lang,

I am writing to inquire about the status of the block of applications to the WSIB from a small, but important, group of Canadian civilians employed by the Department of National Defence who supported Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations in Afghanistan: the Language and Cultural Advisors (LCAs).

As you are aware, this group served in Afghanistan, often “outside the wire” alongside CAF members on the front lines during combat operations and assisted the valuable efforts of coalition and consensus building with regional and local political/tribal leadership. As you know, because the LCAs worked outside of Canada but were not locally engaged outside of Canada, they are deemed to be usually employed in the Province of Ontario pursuant to the Government Employees Compensation Act, therefore falling within the jurisdiction of the Ontario WSIB.

Last May, you issued a media statement indicating that you had ordered a full review of each of their files. It has been six months since you ordered this review, and I am inquiring as to their status.

This letter is not meant to intervene or interfere with the process that WSIB adjudicators undertake to render decisions. Rather, it is to alert you and your organization that many of these individuals have been seeking resolution for a long time. As the head of an organization that investigates issues of administrative and procedural unfairness, I am keenly aware of the time lapse that can occur during adjudication processes. This is perhaps the most grating and stressful period for those seeking resolution to their applications and/or filings. While this may not be the case for all former LCAs, many of the individuals that have contacted my office, are enduring significant levels of hardship.

They, and we, are anxiously awaiting WSIB decisions in order to determine next steps for these Canadians who have sacrificed much in service to our country.

Sincerely,

 

Gregory A. Lick

Ombudsman

 

cc: The Honourable Bill Blair, PC, COM, MP