A new study has revealed the Canadian provinces that are the most dangerous to work in.
Alberta Personal Injury Lawyers, Preszler Injury Lawyers, examined the latest data from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada and Statistics Canada on the number of accepted lost-time claims and the size of the labour force in each province. The number of claims was compared to the labour force to calculate a rate per 100,000 employees and therefore determine the most dangerous provinces to work in.
Quebec has been named the most dangerous province to work in, with 2,609.54 lost-time claims per 100,000 workers. Quebec experienced 124,123 lost-time claims in 2022, which is 57% higher than the previous year’s total of 78,813.
British Columbia is second, with 2,095.96 lost-time claims per 100,000 employees. British Columbia had 62,294 lost-time claims in 2022, this being 12% higher than the previous year’s total of 55,653.
In third place is Manitoba, with 1,944.48 lost-time claims per 100,000 workers. In 2022, Manitoba had 14,360 lost-time claims, a 10% increase from the total of 13,067 in 2021.
Alberta is in fourth place, with 1,432.24 lost-time claims per 100,000 employees. Alberta experienced 37,814 lost-time claims in 2022, which is 14% higher than the previous year’s total of 33,156.
Fifth place is Saskatchewan, with 1,393.67 lost-time claims per 100,000 workers. In 2022, Saskatchewan experienced 8,801 lost-time claims, a 2% increase from 2021, which saw a total of 8,651.
Newfoundland and Labrador is in sixth place, with 1,342.72 lost-time claims per 100,000 workers. Newfoundland and Labrador experienced 3,530 lost-time claims in 2022, which is 9% higher than the previous year’s total of 3,244.
In seventh place is Prince Edward Island, with 1,116.21 lost-time claims per 100,000 employees. In 2022, Prince Edward Island experienced 1,095 lost-time claims, a 3% increase from the total of 1,065 the year prior.
Nova Scotia is in eighth place, with 1,048.63 lost-time claims per 100,000 workers. Nova Scotia witnessed 5,650 lost-time claims in 2022, which is 2% higher than the previous year’s total of 5,524.
In ninth place is Ontario, with 1,013.24 lost-time claims per 100,000 employees. In 2022, Ontario experienced 85,859 lost-time claims, an 18% increase from the previous year’s total of 72,921.
Lastly, New Brunswick is in tenth place, with 933.62 lost-time claims per 100,000 workers, making this the least dangerous province to work in. New Brunswick experienced 3,896 lost-time claims in 2022, which is 2% higher than the total of 3,837 in 2021.
| Rank | Province | Claims Per 100K Workers |
| 1 | Quebec | 2,609.54 |
| 2 | British Columbia | 2,095.96 |
| 3 | Manitoba | 1,944.48 |
| 4 | Alberta | 1,432.24 |
| 5 | Saskatchewan | 1,393.67 |
| 6 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 1,342.72 |
| 7 | Prince Edward Island | 1,116.21 |
| 8 | Nova Scotia | 1,048.63 |
| 9 | Ontario | 1,013.24 |
| 10 | New Brunswick | 933.62 |
A spokesperson for Preszler Injury Lawyers has commented on the findings:
“A lost-time claim is the compensation that is paid to an employee who is absent from the workplace for more than eight working days. A workplace injury affects the entire team, causing delays in the completion of tasks, lower morale, and less productivity.
“However, the impacts on the individual can also be extremely damaging. These may include anxiety due to unsafe conditions, high medical costs, and increased stress. It is crucial that employers maintain a hygienic and safe workplace environment to prevent employees from becoming injured or falling ill.”
The data highlights a wider concern across Canada: nearly every province saw an increase in the number of lost-time claims in 2022 compared to the previous year. This suggests that workplace safety challenges are becoming more pressing, and that existing measures may not be sufficient to keep pace with risks in various industries.
Construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and resource-based jobs continue to be among the most high-risk sectors. In provinces such as Quebec and British Columbia, where these industries make up a significant part of the economy, the high rate of lost-time claims underscores the need for stricter safety protocols, more frequent training, and improved access to protective equipment.
While provinces like New Brunswick and Ontario are positioned near the lower end of the rankings, their year-on-year increases show that no region is immune to rising workplace safety concerns. Even modest increases can place additional strain on compensation boards, employers, and healthcare systems.
Workplace safety experts stress that prevention is key. Employers are encouraged to implement thorough risk assessments, engage employees in safety discussions, and invest in modern technologies that can help reduce accidents. Employees, on the other hand, are urged to report unsafe conditions promptly and to follow established procedures to protect themselves and their colleagues.
Ultimately, the study serves as a reminder of the importance of workplace safety for both businesses and employees across the country. Minimising accidents not only protects workers’ health and wellbeing but also ensures stronger productivity, reduced costs for employers, and a more resilient workforce for the future.
