ADVISORY

Media advisory – It’s time for 10 Paid Sick Days: Vote YES to Bill 8

Frontline workers including doctors, nurses, and other health experts will be gathering in front of Queen’s Park to urge the government to vote YES to Bill 8, Stay Home If You Are Sick Act, 2021. A vote is expected in the coming days on this bill, which would bring in 10 permanent paid sick days and 14 additional days during public health emergencies for all workers in Ontario.

Speakers at the event will provide firsthand accounts of the urgent need to implement permanent and adequate paid sick leave protection for all workers. With rising COVID-19 cases, upward trends projected by the Science Advisory Table, and Ontario’s inadequate temporary paid sick days set to end in the dead of winter, action is needed now. 

What: Symbolic clock delivery and demonstration in support of 10 paid sick days
When: Monday, November 22, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EST
Where: South entrance of Ontario Legislative Assembly at Queen's Park
Visuals: Health workers holding up signs saying “Time for 10 paid sick days”; health workers presenting a clock to politicians symbolizing time running out to act on paid sick days. Representatives from all four major parties have been invited.

The Ford government has voted against paid sick days over 25 times. Our patients cannot afford the same mistakes again. It is time the government heeds the advice of health experts and votes yes to legislating 10 permanent paid sick days.  

To arrange interviews, contact:

Sarah Shahid
Organizer, Decent Work and Health Network
[email protected] | 514-415-4666

About the organization:

The Decent Work and Health Network is a coalition of health providers advocating for improving working conditions to help protect and promote the health of our patients. We are a group of doctors, nurses, health workers, and experts who have been leading voices for paid sick days as an urgent evidence-based public health measure.

-30-