TORONTO — The Ontario government has announced the average WSIB premium rate for Ontario businesses in 2025 will be reduced to $1.25 from $1.30 per $100 of insurable payroll, the lowest it has been in more than 50 years. The Leisure and Hospitality rate, which includes restaurants, will be 0.95, down from 1.00 in 2024.
The government also announced in February 2025, it’ll return $2 billion in surplus funds to eligible safe Ontario businesses as the fund has a surplus greater than its necessary reserve. For a business with $600,000 in insurable payroll, this means there will be a $300 savings on premiums. In aggregate, it’s anticipated this will result in $5.6 million in annual savings for the restaurant industry.
The province is also launching a new Safe Business Bonus with an additional $1,000 bonus to eligible employers who create a new workplace health and safety action plan approved through the WSIB’s Health and Safety Excellence program, starting in 2025.
“This is a positive and welcomed announcement,” says Kris Barnier, VP, Central Canada, Restaurants Canada. “We’ve been working hard at Queen’s Park to help the government understand that reducing payroll taxes is one of the most impactful things governments can do to help the restaurant industry because we’re among the most labour-intense industries in the province.”
