Doug Ford’s terrible record on paid sick days for workers
QUEEN’S PARK - Doug Ford has never supported paid sick days. He even went out of his way to speak against the federal program while not bringing in provincial paid sick days, and spent the spring attacking any notion of provincial paid sick days.
On June 5 2020, Ford opposed the push for a federal paid sick leave program, stating:
- “I don't support it. We have legislation that protects jobs that people, if they, you know, again, if they don't feel safe, they don't have to go into work. That is a priority for BC, but there wasn't too much take up on that right across the country, to be very frank.”
Once the federal government introduced the current program that he opposed, Ford stood in the Legislature and threw attacks, suggesting the push for paid sick days was misinformation:
- April 15: “She’s telling the people that there are no paid sick days. Imagine the people at home listening to this who won’t even apply to the federal government’s sick day program that we fought hard for, that we fought for $1.1 billion.”
- February 17: “… rather than sitting there and constantly criticizing from day one, putting confusion with the public about paid sick days. Rather than sending inaccurate information out to the public and hurting the public, why don’t you come and join us to support the people of Ontario for once, rather than just sit there and criticize and criticize? It’s like listening to nails on a chalkboard, listening to you.”
- February 16: “Anyone that I’ve ever talked to that I’ve said, “Oh, there’s already a program,” the first thing they say is, “Well, the Leader of the Opposition must be confused because she’s making it out that there are no sick days.” Again, it’s very disappointing that the Leader of the Opposition would be out there and confusing people.”
- February 16: “waste of taxpayer’s money”
Stay Home If You Are Sick - Petition
TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO:
WHEREAS there is overwhelming evidence to show that paid sick leave significantly reduces the spread of infectious disease, promotes preventive health care and reduces health care system costs; and
WHEREAS 60% of Ontario workers do not have access to paid sick days, and therefore must sacrifice income to stay home if they are sick; and
WHEREAS low-wage and precarious workers who can least afford to miss pay are the most likely to be denied paid sick days; and
WHEREAS employers benefit when sick workers can afford to stay home, limiting the spread of illness to co-workers and customers, and allowing workers to recover faster; and
WHEREAS during an infectious disease emergency, it is unreasonable and dangerous to public health to make workers choose between protecting their communities and providing for their families; and
WHEREAS mandating employers to provide paid sick leave through the Employment Standards Act ensures that workers have seamless, uninterrupted access to their pay; and
WHEREAS the COVID-19 pandemic has left many small businesses hanging by a thread, and transitional financial support will assist these businesses to pay for sick leave for their employees during the pandemic;
THEREFORE, we the undersigned petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to immediately pass the Stay Home If You Are Sick Act to provide workers with 10 permanent sick days (7 of which are paid) without the requirement for doctors’ notes, and an additional 14 paid sick days during an infectious disease emergency, so they can follow public health advice and keep our workplaces and our communities safe.
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