New legislation passed by the Ontario legislature today will make workers' compensation coverage mandatory for more individuals working in the construction industry.

The legislation will extend benefits and services contained in the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 (WSIA) to independent operators in construction and some other individuals in the construction industry who are currently not covered.

The Act will fully come into effect no earlier than 2012 - three years following Royal Assent. This three-year period will enable the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) to work with construction stakeholders to develop systems to support the proposed changes and to pre-register individuals who will be subject to mandatory coverage when the Act is fully in force.