The Canadian Press, with files from staff
As it becomes increasingly clear that workplaces are a key transmission location in the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic, some Canadian employers are offering paid sick leave to their employees in the absence of government action.
Paid sick leave benefits, which allow workers to call in sick without fear of losing a day’s pay, are becoming a political issue across the country amid the coronavirus pandemic’s third wave, especially in Ontario.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government has frequently refused to offer sick days to essential workers, saying a program run by the federal government already exists, shooting down Opposition motions on the issue. But in a sudden change of course, Health Minister Christine Elliott said Tuesday the government was looking into the possibility of a provincial paid sick day program. Ford issued an emotional apology on Thursday for introducing restrictions that sparked furious backlash as he confirmed his government would bring in paid sick-leave for workers after months of refusing to do so. As of Friday morning, though, details of the program were yet to be revealed.