Schreiner introduces bill to permanently revoke sick notes

September 14, 2020

QUEEN’S PARK — On the first day that MPPs returned to the legislature, Green leader Mike Schreiner tabled a private member’s bill to permanently revoke routine sick notes.

“The Premier’s praise of front-line workers is hollow if he doesn’t allow them to stay home when they are ill. I’ve been trying to get rid of sick notes since before the pandemic because it is important that people can self-isolate without having to prove their illness,” said Scheiner.

The Premier brought back routine sick notes in 2018, despite opposition from health experts and workers, however sick notes have only been temporarily suspended.

Schreiner’s bill would make a permanent change to the Employment Standards Act, preventing employers from requiring sick notes and protecting workers who have symptoms of COVID-19 or any other illness.

‘It was reckless of the Premier to bring back sick notes in 2018, and this pandemic has shown that it is downright dangerous to keep this policy moving forward. Forcing people to visit the doctor’s office places an unnecessary burden on our healthcare system and puts others at risk of contracting COVID-19,” said Schreiner.

“This is just one of the many changes that are needed to uphold our respect for workers. I look forward to all parties and MPPs supporting my effort to bring back some common sense to Ontario’s sick leave laws,” he said.

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