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Fourteen months into the global pandemic, after 463,000 COVID-19 cases and 8,050 deaths, Ontario is providing paid sick leave for workers.
Forced into it by the doctors and scientists advising the province, and public outrage over the handling of the brutal third wave, the government announced on the Day of Mourning, held to remember workers killed, injured or sickened on the job a stingy three days of paid sick leave.
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Strathroy, ON, Canada / 105.7 Strathroy Today
Apr 30, 2021 7:53 AM
The province’s newly announced paid sick days program will benefit workers, but not at the expense of their employers.Announced this week, the province will pay for up to three sick days per person, with a maximum of 200-dollars per day. Labour Minister Monte McNaughton explains the province will reimburse employers up to $200 a day for what they pay out through the program.
Ontario will give all workers three paid sick days to help employees take time off to self-isolate during the pandemic.
Labour Minister Monte McNaughton announced the measure today after months of intense pressure from experts and advocates who ve said sick leave would help reduce workplace outbreaks.
McNaughton says the province will reimburse employers up to $200 a day for what they pay out through the program.
He says the program – which will be administered through the Workplace Insurance and Safety Board – will be retroactive to April 19 and will end on Sept. 25.
The program will be created through a new bill the government was to introduce Wednesday, which still must be passed by the legislature.
Ontario paid sick leave plan inadequate, unfair, small business group says
Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton takes to the podium during a news conference in Toronto on Wednesday April 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young April 29, 2021 - 6:03 PM
TORONTO - A group of small business owners and advocates says Ontario s recently announced paid sick leave plan is inadequate and unfair for small businesses.
The Better Way Alliance, a group of businesses that advocates for higher wages and other labour rights, said the province s Worker Income Protection Benefit does not go far enough, regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Labour Minister Monte McNaughton announced Wednesday that the three-day sick leave policy will be retroactive to April 19 and will end on Sept. 25. Employers will be reimbursed for up to $200 a day for what they pay out.
TORONTO A group of small business owners and advocates says Ontario s recently announced paid sick leave plan is inadequate and unfair for small businesses.
The Better Way Alliance, a group of businesses that advocates for higher wages and other labour rights, said the province s Worker Income Protection Benefit does not go far enough, regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Labour Minister Monte McNaughton announced Wednesday that the three-day sick leave policy will be retroactive to April 19 and will end on Sept. 25. Employers will be reimbursed for up to $200 a day for what they pay out. We are especially dismayed to learn that . large companies who don’t need the help (will) be paid out of taxpayer funds for these days, the group said, adding that small business owners who already provide paid leave will not be similarly reimbursed.