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In your situation, where the company is registered and has a physical office in Ontario but employs remote workers who live and work in Alberta (including global travel), you will need to register and maintain WCB coverage in Alberta for those employees.
Alberta WCB Coverage Requirements
Who Must Register
The Workers’ Compensation Board – Alberta (WCB-Alberta) requires any employer with workers in Alberta to register, even if:
-The business is based in another province (e.g., Ontario).
-The workers are remote and work from home.
-There is no physical office in Alberta.
Remote and mobile workers who are based in Alberta are considered “working in Alberta,” and therefore, WCB-Alberta coverage typically applies.
Relevant WCB-Alberta Guidance
WCB-Alberta specifically states that:
“If you hire workers who live and work in Alberta (even from a home office), you must register with WCB-Alberta, regardless of where your business is headquartered.”
Ontario WSIB Considerations
If your company is already registered with WSIB in Ontario for employees working out of the Ontario office, that coverage applies to Ontario-based employees only.
WSIB coverage does not extend to employees residing and working in Alberta.
Interprovincial coverage is not automatically portable, meaning each province typically requires separate registration with its respective workers’ compensation board.
Global Travel Element
Employees who travel internationally but are based in Alberta for their home office still fall under Alberta jurisdiction for WCB purposes.
If they sustain a work-related injury while abroad, Alberta WCB would generally provide coverage.
You may also want to check for any necessary supplemental international travel coverage or health insurance for business travel.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to register with WCB-Alberta when required can result in:
-Fines.
-Retroactive premiums.
-Denial of coverage for injured workers.
-Legal liability in case of workplace injuries.
You should:
-Register with WCB-Alberta as an out-of-province employer with workers in Alberta.
-Maintain your WSIB registration in Ontario for Ontario-based employees.
-If applicable, consider securing travel or global accident insurance for traveling workers.
You can contact WCB-Alberta directly or visit https://www.wcb.ab.ca to confirm your classification and complete registration.
-HRInsider Staff