VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – There are mixed feelings now that WorkSafeBC has decided to return surplus contributions to employers.

Union and business leaders are at odds over the tens of millions of dollars that would go to back to small businesses come the election in May.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says excess WorkSafeBC funds should be returned to employers to re-invest in business and employees. BC Economist Aaron Aerts thinks the legislation proposed by the Liberals is a good way to help small businesses grow.

“Right now we’re seeming to find that nearly 140 per cent of assets over liabilities, over 4.5 billion dollars more assets than liabilities.”

Irene Lanzinger, the president of the BC Federation of Labour thinks the money should stay where it is to help local businesses stay strong, and stay safe through newly developed programs funded by WorkSafeBC.

“The WCB should be using their money, the money that employers and workers pay to them, they should be using that to make workplaces safer and to compensate injured workers.”

She says injured workers have had their benefits reduced drastically, and their are getting less in compensation for injuries.

The policy is intended to be completed by June with changes being brought into law as early as the next legislative sitting.