QUEEN’S PARK — NDP Leader Andrea Horwath released the following statement in response to Globe and Mail and Toronto Star reports that indicates the Doug Ford government isn’t developing a paid sick days law in Ontario as promised — instead, he’s scheming to kick in funding for the federal program that is not paid sick days:
“Essential workers are still waiting for the paid sick days Doug Ford finally promised last week. Every day of delay means more suffering, more infections and more families devastated by COVID-19.
I am deeply frustrated by Doug Ford’s inaction, and deeply disturbed by reporting in the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star that paints a picture of a premier trying to stick with a federal program that has already failed to save workers and stop the spread — because it is not paid sick days. He’s playing political games, and Ontarians are paying a devastatingly high price.
Simply contributing to the federal program will solve none of the problems workers are currently facing. The federal program is not paid sick days, period.
Access to paid sick days for essential workers must be immediate, seamless and without barriers. Your paycheque should be whole — whether you’re off sick, getting tested, or getting vaccinated.”
