By Shawn Jeffords and Holly McKenzie-Sutter
TORONTO A paid sick-leave program is coming to Ontario within days, the province said Wednesday as critics accused the government of endangering essential workers by delaying action on the issue for months.
Public health experts, labour groups and local officials have been calling for sick-leave support for much of the pandemic, arguing it would reduce COVID-19 spread in workplaces.
After months of saying a provincial plan would needlessly overlap with a federal measure, the Progressive Conservatives said they’d introduce a policy that would fill “gaps” in Ottawa’s benefit, including reducing wait times for funds, expanding eligibility, and providing time off to get vaccinated.
ICU admissions near 800 as Ontario sees new high for COVID-19 vaccinations
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Ontario reports 3,469 new COVID-19 cases, 22 more deaths linked to illness
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