Ontario to extend paid sick day program until the end of July 2022
Ontario will be extending its paid sick leave program until at least July 2022, with the province's labour minister reaffirming his commitment to keep the legislation active until after the pandemic is over.
The program, which offers up to three paid sick days per employee, was set to expire at the end of December after a previous extension.
In a news release issued Tuesday afternoon, the Doug Ford government confirmed the program will be extended until July 31, 2022. Officials said the sick days will help workers take time off to get their COVID-19 booster shots or to take time to get children vaccinated.
Speaking with CTV News Toronto earlier in the day, Ontario Minister of Labour Monte McNaughton said that he remains committed to offering three paid sick days throughout the pandemic.
"I'll keep my word and we'll make sure that those paid sick days are there as long as COVID is here," he said. "This is front and centre for me. It's a priority. I will make sure that workers have paid sick days throughout this entire pandemic. I'll keep my word on that and we'll have more to say soon."
The legislation requires that employers provide employees with up to $200 of pay for up to three days missed due to COVID-19. Businesses are then reimbursed through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.
McNaughton says that more than 200,000 workers have used the program so far. Employees can use the three sick days to get their COVID-19 vaccine, get a COVID-19 test, self-isolate or care for a family member. McNaughton also said that people can use them as mental health days.
However, it is unclear if the program will remain in place after the pandemic is declared an endemic. When asked if the Ford government will make the sick leave program permanent, McNaughton did not provide a clear answer, saying only that his commitment was related to the pandemic.
"Again, my commitment to workers is that those paid sick days will be there during this pandemic," he said while hinting that there will be "more to come on the paid sick days" as well as other workplace protections.
The Ford government axed a Liberal provincial paid sick leave program in 2018 shortly after they were elected. At the time, the premier said it was up to the employer to give workers more time off if they require it.
With files from CTV News Toronto's Queen's Park Bureau Chief Colin D'Mello
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
NEW Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
Tiger Woods gets special exemption to U.S. Open at Pinehurst
Tiger Woods accepted a special exemption for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, the first time the three-time champion has needed an exemption to play.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
Maple Leafs down Bruins 2-1 to force Game 7
William Nylander scored twice and Joseph Woll made 22 saves as the Toronto Maple Leafs downed the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday to force Game 7 in their first-round series.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
WATCH LIVE Federal government to announce funding to help Toronto host six 2026 World Cup games
The federal government is set to announce funding to help Toronto host six matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Is your password 123456? Here's why you should make it stronger
With the sheer number of passwords needed today, it may come as no surprise that over 60 per cent of Canadians feel overwhelmed, and over a third reportedly forget their passwords monthly.