Thanks guys.
Part of the solution for injured workers is to concede that the current system is unfair and it doesn't work. We need to return to something like Ontario's pre-1990 legislation, where an injured worker's demonstrated earnings loss after a permanent injury was presumed to be caused by the injury and it was compensable. Permanent disabilities also attracted permanent pensions. Since 1990, the Board's schtick has been that they can reduce payments to the worker by the amount of earnings that the worker should, in their view, be able to earn -- whether or not the worker actually finds that theoretical job.
And, I guess the larger solution is a full employment policy, right? Short of that, solutions for laid-off workers in this economy have to be focussed on making jobs available for them. Public ownership sounds like a very good start to me.