UPCOMING EVENT
2026 LGAA CONFERENCE & Tradeshow
June 17 - 18, 2026
Pre-Conference activities on June 16
Coast Canmore Hotel and Conference Centre
511 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, AB
What you'll learn:
- The differences between ICP and Standard Pricing.
- What to evaluate before voting.
- How the re-polling process works.
- Why participation matters in employer-weighted voting.
- How ICP may affect municipalities differently based on size, claims variability, and organizational capacity.
What Is Industry Custom Pricing?
Industry Custom Pricing (ICP) is a new way for industries in Alberta to tailor their workers’ compensation insurance costs.
Think of it like a group decision—employers in an industry vote on whether to participate in Industry Custom Pricing and which pricing options their industry will use.
Industries can participate in one or both ICP options:
- Waiving of Cost Relief (CR)
- Experience Rating (ER)
If employers representing 50.01% or greater of the industry's assessable earnings vote in favour of remaining in ICP, the industry will continue participating in ICP beginning in the next premium rate year. If the vote does not pass, or if not, enough votes are submitted, the industry will return to Standard Pricing.
ICP lets industries customize parts of how premiums are set. Through Industry Custom Pricing, industries can choose to increase the maximum experience rating discount and surcharge range from 40% to 60% for large employers, remove the cost relief levy from their industry rate, or select both options. Any option chosen applies to all employers in the industry.
How does it work?
- Industry vote: Every employer in the industry can vote. The outcome is determined by employer votes weighted by assessable earnings (payroll).
- All included: If employers representing 50.01% or greater of the industry's assessable earnings vote in favour of remaining in ICP, all employers in the industry will continue participating in the applicable ICP option, regardless of how they voted.
- Re-polling: Industries are normally re-polled every five years to confirm whether they want to continue participating in ICP. An industry may also be re-polled earlier if there is sufficient evidence that employers want to change their ICP option or return to Standard Pricing.
Important: If you do not submit a vote, it will be counted as a vote to return to Standard Pricing (exit ICP). Make sure to cast your vote so your voice counts in the outcome.
ICP Options (Simplified)
- Experience Rating (ER) Option: Increases the maximum discount and surcharge range for employers in the large business experience rating plan from 40% to 60%, making premium adjustments more reflective of an employer's claims performance. Small employers remain in the standard 5% adjustment range.
- Waiving of Cost Relief (CR) Option: Removes the cost relief levy from the industry rate, lowering upfront premiums. In exchange, employers are no longer eligible for cost relief related to prolonged recovery resulting from the aggravation of a pre-existing condition. All other types of cost relief, cost transfers, and maximum per-claim cost protections remain available.
Industries can choose either option individually or participate in both options.
Potential Benefits of ICP:
- Lower Upfront Premiums: Industries participating in the Waiving of Cost Relief (CR) option have the cost relief levy removed from their industry rate, reducing upfront premiums.
- Performance-Based Pricing: Premium adjustments become more reflective of an employer's claims performance, with larger discounts and surcharges available under the Experience Rating (ER) option.
- Greater Control: Industries can customize features of their pricing program, including participation in the Experience Rating (ER) and Waiving of Cost Relief (CR) options.
- Shared Accountability: ICP promotes accountability by making premium adjustments more reflective of employer performance, encouraging injury prevention and safer workplaces.
Standard Pricing vs ICP Pricing
| Feature | Standard Pricing | Industry Custom Pricing (ICP) |
| Industry vote needed? | No | Yes – employers representing greater than 50% of assessable earnings must vote in favour. |
| Discounts/Surcharges | Up to 40% (large employers) | Up to 60% (with ICP-ER option). |
| Participation factor | Fixed by size | Can be adjusted for bigger impact. |
| Cost Relief Levy | Included in rate | Removed if industry waives cost relief. |
| Impact of not voting | N/A | Counts as a vote to return to Standard Pricing. |
| Who decides? | WCB pricing program applies | Employers vote on whether to participate in ICP and which ICP option(s) their industry uses |
| Pricing options |
Standard pricing features apply to all industries |
Industries can choose the Experience Rating (ER) option, the Waiving of Cost Relief (CR) option, or both. |
| Ongoing polling | No automatic re-polling cycle | Industries are automatically re-polled every 5 years |
Industry Polling (Voting)
- Majority Required: More than 50.01% of assessable earnings must vote in favour for the industry to continue participating in ICP.
- Who Votes: Every employer in the industry who pays WCB premiums will receive a ballot. Voting power is based on assessable earnings (total payroll).
- No/Abstain: Any vote that is "No" or not submitted is treated as support for returning to Standard Pricing.
A Yes vote means you support your industry continuing to participate in the ICP option being voted on. If employers representing greater than 50% of the industry's assessable earnings vote in favour, the industry will continue participating in the ICP option beginning in the 2027 premium rate year.
A No vote means you support your industry returning to Standard Pricing. If employers representing 50% or less of the industry's assessable earnings vote in favour of continuing participation in the ICP option being voted on, the industry will return to Standard Pricing beginning in the 2027 premium rate year.
Important: If you do not submit a vote, this will be considered a vote to return to Standard Pricing.
Outcomes of the Vote
- If the Vote Passes: If employers representing greater than 50% of the industry's total assessable earnings vote in favour of remaining in ICP, all employers in the industry will continue participating in the current ICP option(s) beginning in the 2027 premium rate year.
- If the Vote Fails: If employers representing 50% or less of the industry's total assessable earnings vote in favour of remaining in ICP, the industry will return to Standard Pricing beginning in the 2027 premium rate year.
Returning to Standard Pricing means the cost relief levy will once again be included in premium rates. In return, municipalities will regain access to cost relief related to prolonged recovery resulting from the aggravation of a pre-existing condition.
Timeline
| When | What Happens |
| Now | WCB sends ballots to municipal employers. |
| Voting period | Employers submit their ballots. |
| Shortly after voting closes | WCB counts votes based on assessable earnings. |
| If employers representing greater than 50% of assessable earnings vote in favour | The industry continues participating in the ICP Waiving of Cost Relief (CR) option beginning in the 2027 premium rate year. |
| If employers representing 50% or less of assessable earnings vote in favour | The industry returns to Standard Pricing beginning in the 2027 premium rate year. |
| Five years later | The industry will return to Standard Pricing. |
What to Expect if Your Industry Remains in ICP
- Premium Rates: If the industry remains in ICP, the cost relief levy will continue to be removed from the industry rate. This helps keep upfront premium rates lower for all employers in the industry.
- Cost Relief: Employers will continue to waive eligibility for cost relief related to prolonged recovery resulting from the aggravation of a pre-existing condition. All other forms of cost relief, cost transfers, and maximum per-claim cost protections remain available.
- Re-polling: Industries participating in ICP are automatically re-polled every five years to confirm whether they wish to continue participating. An early re-poll may occur after the third or fourth year if there is sufficient evidence that the industry wishes to change its ICP participation.
Potential Benefits & Options
Why Consider ICP?
ICP can lower your industry’s overall costs and reward safe workplaces. Here’s how:
- Bigger Discounts and Surcharges: Under the Experience Rating option, large employers may receive discounts or surcharges of up to 60%, making premium adjustments more reflective of their claims performance compared to the industry average.
- Lower Base Rates: With the Cost Relief option, the extra fee that funds certain long-term claims (the cost relief levy) is removed. This lowers everyone’s base rate. Think of it as a group saving on the fixed part of the premium.
- Aligns Costs with Performance: ICP makes sure each employer’s rate more closely matches their claim costs. If you have few accidents, you pay less. If you have many, you pay more. This fairness encourages employers to invest in safety.
- Shared Savings: When an industry reduces its costs (for example by cutting the cost relief fee), every employer benefits. The industry as a whole can reinvest those savings into safety programs.
Understanding the ICP Vote
All employers in the municipal industry will be asked to vote Yes or No on whether the industry should continue participating in ICP or return to Standard Pricing.
Who Votes: Every employer in the industry receives a ballot. The outcome is determined by employer votes weighted according to assessable earnings (industry payroll).
Industry-Wide Decision: If employers representing greater than 50% of the industry's total assessable earnings vote in favour, the outcome applies to all employers in the industry, regardless of how they voted.
What You Decide:
- Yes = Continue participating in ICP: A Yes vote means you support your industry continuing to participate in the ICP option being voted on. If employers representing 50.01% or greater of the industry's assessable earnings vote in favour, the industry will continue participating in that ICP option beginning in the 2027 premium rate year.
- No = Return to Standard Pricing: A No vote means you support your industry returning to Standard Pricing. If employers representing 50.01% or less of the industry's assessable earnings vote in favour of continuing participation in the ICP option being voted on, the industry will return to Standard Pricing beginning in the 2027 premium rate year.
Key Point: If you do not submit a vote, it will be considered a vote to return to Standard Pricing. Make sure to cast your vote before the deadline so your voice counts in the outcome.
If you do not submit a vote, it will be considered a vote to return to Standard Pricing.
Step-by-Step: How to Vote
Check the Ballot
You’ll receive information from WCB about the ICP vote, including instructions.
Review the Details
Understand your industry's ICP option and what your vote means.
Cast Your Vote
Submit your Yes or No vote before the deadline.
MEET THE Deadlines
Votes must be submitted by the deadline indicated in the voting materials.
OUTCOMe ANNOUNCED
WCB will determine the outcome based on votes weighted by assessable earnings and notify the industry of the result.
When Changes Take Effect
Voting results do not take effect immediately. Any decision made through an ICP poll or re-poll is implemented in the next premium rate year, giving employers time to prepare for any changes.
For example, if a municipal industry is re-polled in 2026 and employers representing greater than 50% of the industry's assessable earnings vote in favour of remaining in ICP, the outcome would take effect in the 2027 premium rate year.
The change would take effect in 2027, not during the 2026 rate year. This approach provides stability and gives employers time to prepare for any changes to their pricing program.
Whether the industry chooses to:
- Remain in ICP
- Exit ICP and return to Standard Pricing
The outcome would take effect in the 2027 premium rate year.
Key takeaway: A vote held in 2026 determines whether the industry will continue participating in ICP or return to Standard Pricing in 2027. Any approved changes take effect in the next premium rate year, not immediately after the vote.
Important: If your industry returns to Standard Pricing, whether due to a failed vote or insufficient participation, it cannot simply request another vote the following year. A minimum of three years must pass before another poll or re-poll can occur.
Which Municipal Employers Are Included?
ICP is industry-based, not for single companies alone. Here’s what that means:
An industry is a group of employers classified by WCB under the same industry code. For municipal employers, this includes:
Voting: The entire industry votes as a group. You vote along with other employers in your municipal industry code (95100, 95101, 95102, 95104).
Outcome: If employers representing 50.01% or greater of the industry's assessable earnings vote in favour of remaining in ICP, all employers in the industry will continue participating in the applicable ICP option, regardless of how they voted.
Participation Rules
| Rule | Details |
| Who votes? | All employers in the industry. |
| Vote weight |
Based on assessable payroll (assessable earnings). |
| Approval needed | Employers representing 50.01% or greater of the industry's assessable earnings must vote in favour. |
| Effect of approval | All employers continue participating in ICP. |
| Effect of rejection | Industry returns to Standard Pricing. |
| Re-polling | Industry is automatically re-polled every 5 years. Early re-polling may occur after year 3 or 4 if there is sufficient industry support. |
Small Employers: If you're a very small business, the Experience Rating (ER) option generally won't directly affect your premium adjustments. Small employers remain in the small experience rating plan and keep the usual 5% limits. However, all employers can benefit when the industry rate is reduced through the Waiving of Cost Relief (CR) option.
What exactly is "Industry Custom Pricing"?
It’s a group decision program for industries. If most employers in an industry vote yes, they can change how they pay WCB premiums. It’s voluntary and customized for each industry.
Who can vote on ICP?
Every employer in the industry can vote. Your vote is weighted by your payroll size. Small or large, you have a say.
What happens if my company votes no but others vote yes?
If the majority votes yes, your industry will continue participating in ICP and all employers in the industry will remain subject to that pricing program.
What if not enough companies vote or we all don't vote?
ICP requires over 50% of the payroll to vote yes. If enough support is not received to remain in ICP, the industry will return to Standard Pricing. Not voting is treated as a “No” vote, so encourage everyone to vote if they support ICP.
What are discounts and surcharges?
These are adjustments to your insurance cost based on safety. A discount means paying less than the base rate (if you’re safer than average). A surcharge means paying more (if you’re less safe). Standard plans cap these at 40% for big employers, but ICP can raise that cap to 60%.
What is "cost relief"?
Cost relief is a fund in the WCB system that helps pay some expensive claims (like long recovery after an injury). WCB adds a small fee (levy) to everyone’s premiums to fund this. If an industry waives cost relief under ICP, that fee is removed. This lowers base rates, but the trade-off is that one kind of claim (old injury aggravated) won’t get help from cost relief.
How do I know when my industry will vote?
WCB will announce the polling schedule. Check the “Lower Your Premiums” section on the WCB website, or contact us. We’ll also list industries up for voting on this site.
What should employers consider when deciding whether to remain in ICP?
The main risk is if your company tends to have many claims. Under ICP, companies with more injuries will pay more (higher surcharges) than before. Also, removing cost relief could increase out-of-pocket costs for some big claims. But for industries that work safely, the benefits can outweigh the risks.
Can our industry change its mind and vote again next year?
No. An industry cannot be polled or re-polled within three years of its most recent poll or re-poll. This means that once a voting decision is made, the industry must wait at least three years before another poll or re-poll can take place. Employers should carefully consider their vote because the outcome cannot be revisited immediately if the industry later wishes to change direction.