ADVISORY

For immediate release

Essential workers organize car caravan to welcome Ontario Legislature back with 30,000 petition signatures demanding legislated paid sick days 

TORONTO, February 16, 2020, 10:00am, essential workers, health providers, educators, parents, and business owners are participating in a car caravan Tuesday and delivering more than 30,000 petition signatures calling on the Ontario government to pass Bill 239, the Stay Home If You Are Sick Act. This bill would legislate 7 permanent paid sick days and an additional 14 paid sick days during outbreaks. Members of the three Ontario opposition parties will be coming outside to accept the petition delivery.

The petition, which also includes over 1000 health provider signatures, has been organized by the Fight for $15 and Fairness, the Decent Work and Health Network, and Leadnow, who together represent workers, medical professionals, business owners, and everyday Ontarians, all calling for permanent and universal paid sick leave. 

What: Petition delivery and car caravan in support of paid sick days in Ontario
When: 10 AM EST, petition delivery to MPP Peggy Sattler, MPP John Fraser and MPP Mike Schreiner, and car caravan begins
Where: South entrance of Ontario Legislative Assembly at Queen's Park
Visuals: Health providers carrying large boxes of signatures and an enlarged “prescription pad” for paid sick days; cars decorated with posters and paint

Paid sick days have been a priority issue for workers across the province. Health experts have long pointed to paid sick days as a proven tool to slow the spread of infections and save lives, and public health units across Ontario have joined in calling on the province to legislate permanent paid sick days. With the second wave of the virus, the slow rollout of vaccinations and news of new variants, we need legislated paid sick days now more than ever to protect workers. 

Essential workers, including health providers, business owners, everyday Ontarians and workers rights advocates will be available to comment on the action and the need for paid sick days.

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To arrange interviews, contact:

Fight for $15 and Fairness: Rajean Hoilett
[email protected]
289-923-3534

Decent Work and Health Network: Rana Hamadeh
[email protected]
647-803-8961

About the organizations:

The Decent Work and Health Network is a group of health workers advocating for improved working conditions as a matter of public health and health equity.

The Fight for $15 and Fairness is a growing movement of workers committed to fighting for decent work and includes educators, anti-poverty activists, health providers, labour groups, students, and faith leaders.