Ford’s paid sick days claim is disrespectful to workers

April 7, 2021

QUEEN’S PARK — Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to the government’s announcement and Ford’s claims that paid sick days are unnecessary:

“Ford trying to justify why he doesn’t need to legislate paid sick days is disrespectful to essential workers who haven’t stopped working throughout the pandemic.

The very same workers who have kept our shelves stocked and the grocery stores open, and who have ensured Ontario’s supply chain continues operating.

The same workers that are packing ICUs right now in cities like Toronto and Brampton.

In 2018, it was Doug Ford’s government that eliminated paid sick days in Ontario.

So before attacking healthcare experts, essential workers, and opposition parties over paid sick days, it would be helpful if Ford actually did his homework on the CRSB.

The federal CRSB program falls short of protecting workers.

It pays less than minimum wage, and involves a delayed application process and a wait time for payment.

Workers living paycheque-to-paycheque cannot afford to depend on the CRSB alone.

They deserve stability and adequate protection that employers can provide through paid sick days.

Simply put — unless frontline workers have paid sick leave and paid time off to get vaccinated, any kind of stay-at-home order won’t be as effective.”

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