The Workers Compensation Board in Manitoba has some extra funds in its coffers, and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business wants to see it back in the hands of employers.

Research by the CFIB has shown Manitoba, along with 5 other workers’ compensation boards - or WCBs - are over funded to the tune of almost $5 billion.

Tyler Slobogian, a senior policy analyst with the CFIB, explains Manitoba’s situation.

“Manitoba’s board sits overfunded by about 381 million dollars despite returning 118 million just earlier this year. We estimate that returning that excess WCB money to employers in Manitoba to provide small businesses with five employees around 35 hundred dollars if issued through rebates.”

Slobogian adds that Ontario is the only province that legislates the return of surplus funds, but the CFIB is advocating for the other provinces and territories to do the same.

Hear more from him about this on Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.