HALIFAX, Nova Scotia—The Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia is defying an ombudsman's recommendation that it release a list of employers with the highest incidences of workplaces injuries.

The comp board should release a list of the 25 companies with the highest number of injuries from 2004 to 2006 and the claims costs paid for those injuries, according to a report by Dulcie McCallum, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Review Officer for Nova Scotia.

Ms. McCallum was responding to a freedom of information request from the Chronicle Herald, a newspaper in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The newspaper is also seeking information on 79 employers the comp board has identified as sustaining injuries at twice the average rate of their industry sectors, said Dan Leger, director of news content for the newspaper.

"It does appear there's a willingness at the Workers' Compensation Board to resolve the issues and get some clarity" on what information the board can legally release, said Mr. Leger. "We just want the information," he said, noting that he paper may seek a court order forcing the board to comply.

The board argued in its filing with Ms. McCallum that employers may suffer permanent damage to their reputations or financial harm, and the cooperative relationship between the board and employers will be jeopardized if the information is released. The comp board believes the requested information is exempt from disclosure, according to the report.

A comp board spokeswoman, though, said the organization will release the information if the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia determines the employer names can legally be released. "Once we get clarity, we're happy to comply," the spokeswoman said, noting that the board had released other information requested.

Ms. McCallum's office may make recommendations, but does not have the authority to mandate compliance.

Canadian workers comp coverage is provided largely by provincial and territorial workers comp boards and is financed by employer-paid premiums set by the boards. Rates for each company in a given sector reflect the loss experience of that sector, though companies with low incident levels are eligible for individual rebates.