Ford government denies workers 10 paid sick days for 28th time

I am immensely frustrated that this government voted down 10 paid sick days for the 28th time on Monday. Bill 4, the Stay Home If You Are Sick Act, would have legislated 10 paid sick days and an additional 14 during public health emergencies. It is incomprehensible that this government refuses to implement this basic protection and public health measure that would reduce illness, save lives, and help relieve the unprecedented crisis in healthcare.

We must ensure that this government is held accountable for their decision. Decent Work and Health Network members Dr. Shazeen Suleman and Dr. Jesse McLaren penned an opinion piece in the Ottawa Citizen emphasizing how paid sick days would help address the pediatric health crisis. Dr. Daniel Bierstone and myself wrote in the Toronto Star about why paid sick days have never been more urgent. 

This past week, working with the Justice for Workers campaign, we also took to social media and got #PaidSickDays trending on Thursday and then again on Monday. Many of our partners also shared stories to highlight why paid sick days matter for farm workers who grow our food (here and here), childcare workers who work with kids every day, and undocumented migrants who face unnecessary mental stress worrying about losing income when they’re sick.

Despite Bill 4 being voted down, it is important to note that passing this private member’s bill is not the only way to win 10 permanent paid sick days. This government could legislate paid sick days at any time. It is a policy choice. And one that is even more critical as our patients face an affordability crisis that has led to unmanageable food and housing costs, while the current healthcare crisis unfairly impacts children.

The incredible recent organizing by workers have shown us how much we can win - from  education workers to public sector workers whose wages are capped at 1% due to Bill 124. Just yesterday, Bill 124 was struck down by the Ontario Superior Court. We know that through organizing we can push this government to legislate the paid sick days that our patients need.

WIN: 10 paid sick days for federally regulated workers come into force Dec. 1st

In response to pressure from workers, public health, and the medical community, the federal government legislated 10 paid sick days for federally regulated workers last December. This law comes into force tomorrow, December 1, 2022. Despite flaws in this law that will require workers to accrue paid sick days on a monthly basis, these new measures will still make a difference in workers’ lives. 

I remember this time last year, I was presenting to the Senate to ensure workers had seamless access to the federal paid sick days. Many colleagues and health organizations, including the Canadian Medical Association, advocated to remove sick notes from the bill. As a result, we were able to win amendments that prevents employers from requiring sick notes unless a worker is sick for 5 consecutive days. 

However, federally regulated employees make up only 6% of the workforce and without action from the provincial government, the majority of workers in Ontario remain unprotected as we experience an unprecedented crisis in our healthcare system. If Premier Ford truly cares about the lowest paid workers in this province, then he must legislate 10 permanent paid sick days immediately. 

This means we must keep the pressure up in the new year. I know that you’re wondering, how do we do that? We will be joining Justice for Workers for a crucial in-person Provincial Strategy Meeting in Toronto on February 24-26 to discuss and answer those questions. I encourage you to register and attend.

Together, we have achieved a lot this year - from winning 10 federal paid sick days to permanent paid sick days in British Columbia to getting the Ontario government to repeal Bill 28. I know that we can do more and we will do more! 

Warmly,

Monika