Legal Resources

Find websites and materials written in plain language.

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Migrant Workers

People’s Law School
This page contains links to what you need to know if you’re preparing to work in BC, including the rights of caregivers and farm workers coming to BC. It explains the steps you need to take to work in BC temporarily, and to extend your work permit. It also includes the steps caregivers can take if they have a problem at work.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Making a Claim for Workers’ Compensation

People’s Law School
Explains how workers’ compensation works, and who can get it, explaining the range of injuries and illnesses. It describes the benefits you might be entitled to if you suffer a temporary disability, or are permanently disabled, and the benefits for families of workers. It explains the steps you need to take to make a claim.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Long Term Wage Rate

Government of British Columbia
Explains the wage rate WorkSafeBC must set if a work-related injury or disease disables you from working for more than ten weeks. It explains how this long term wage rate is set, what counts as earnings, and what if you were at your job for less than 12 months. It also covers what to do if you disagree with WorkSafeBC’s long term wage rate.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Late Applications for Workers’ Compensation

Government of British Columbia
Explains how to apply for workers’ compensation. The page explains how much time you have to apply, what happens if you apply after more than a year, and what special circumstances WorkSafeBC considers. It covers when your benefits will start, what happens if there’s new medical evidence, and what happens if your claim is rejected.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Foreign Workers

Government of British Columbia
This is for workers who are not citizens or permanent residents of Canada. It includes information about compensation claims, including what you should do if you’re injured at work, or develop a work-related disease. It explains how you make a claim with WorkSafeBC. It also explains workplace health and safety.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Federal Workers’ Compensation Service

Government of Canada
The FWCS processes compensation claims submitted by federal employees who have suffered a work-related injury or illness. The page links to compensation for federal workers, merchant seamen, survivors of employees slain on duty, locally engaged foreign citizens, federal inmates, and more. It includes information on how to track claims data.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Extension of Time Applications (WCAT)

Government of British Columbia
This fact sheet explains what happens if your review or appeal is filed late, what steps you need to take to start a late review or appeal, what you should put in your extension of time application, what counts as special circumstances, what counts as injustice, what other factors may be considered, and what happens next.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Essentials of Work & the Law

People’s Law School
This links to a publication that explains your rights and responsibilities as a worker. Topics include what to expect once you’re hired, and what happens if you’re fired or you leave your job. It also includes guidance on how to deal with a problem at work.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with royal arms of Canada and Canadian government logo at the bottom..

Employment Insurance Appeal Process at a Glance

Social Security Tribunal of Canada
If Service Canada made a decision about your employment insurance and you don’t agree with it, you can ask them to reconsider, and then appeal to the Social Security Tribunal (SST). This page explains how to do this, including the levels of appeal and the various deadlines.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Employability Assessments

Government of British Columbia
With Employability Assessments, WorkSafeBC evaluates a worker’s ability to work post-injury, with an estimate of what they can earn in a suitable occupation. Learn what to do if you disagree with the finding.
Last reviewed March 2024