With calls for Premier Doug Ford to institute paid sick leave in Ontario, the Premier has maintained the province shouldn’t be asked to provide an option when a federal program already exists.
“The taxpayers out there, I ask you this question: Would you want the federal and provincial governments to double-dip into your pockets when there’s a program already?” Ford said February, 22.
Ford stressed he began pushing the federal government to expand the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) back in September.
The program pays workers who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting coronavirus.
However it’s up to the worker to prove, among other things, that you were unable to work at least half of the work week due to isolating for COVID-19.
You can claim the benefit a total of four times and get $450 after tax following the absence.
Canada’s labour code dictates that workers can take five unpaid sick days per year, and that federally-controlled employers must offer at least three days of paid sick leave a year.
Only two other provinces in the country have a provincial paid sick leave program.
In Quebec, the government provides two paid sick days annually, (through its Act Respecting Labour Standards) if someone has been with an employer for at least three months.
Prince Edward Island’s Employment Standards Act offers its residents a single paid sick day per year.
In Ontario, the governing Liberals instituted labour reform laws before Conservatives rolled those back after they won the 2018 election. Among the reforms was two paid personal leave days for workers.
With files from Colin Redston
