Ontario to get rid of temporary paid sick days, lift some COVID measures in LTC homes
Ontario will soon end its temporary paid sick day program, The Canadian Press has learned.
The program that provided three paid sick days to workers during the pandemic will expire at the end of the month, two senior government sources said Wednesday.
The sources said it will not be replaced with another program, but they said the Progressive Conservative government will continue moving forward with its plan to provide portable health and dental coverage to workers without paid sick days.
That portable benefits program is intended to cover workers in the gig economy, retail and hospitality jobs who don't have benefits, and accommodate people who may change careers throughout their lives.
The sources were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to reveal details of Thursday's budget, which will mention the end of the sick day program.
NDP Leader Marit Stiles said her party was pushing for 10 guaranteed paid sick days for all Ontarians.
"(Premier Doug) Ford's Conservative government is no friend to Ontario workers," she wrote on Twitter. "People should never be forced to go to work sick just to put food on the table."
Ford's government first announced the temporary sick leave plan in the spring of 2021 after facing growing calls to bring in such a policy to minimize workplace spread of COVID-19.
Under the program, employers are reimbursed by the government for the paid leave days. Eligible workers can receive up to $200 per day for up to three days for pandemic-related absences like testing, vaccination, isolation or caring for relatives who are ill with COVID-19.
Ontario's labour minister said this week that the program has served more than 500,000 workers.
The government also said Wednesday that it is planning to lift some COVID-19 restrictions in long-term care homes beginning March 31.
The province said high vaccination rates among nursing home residents and staff have led the chief medical officer of health to begin easing some measures in a phased approach, starting at the end of the month.
Long-term care homes will still be required to monitor residents daily for infection.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore thanked Ontarians for their sacrifices over the past three years.
"Thanks to their continued efforts, Ontario has reached a point where it can begin a safe, cautious and balanced reduction of public health measures in long-term care homes across the province," he wrote in a statement.
"The health and safety of residents remains paramount, and we will continue to work with the sector to ensure residents and their families receive the level of care they need and deserve, in a safe and comfortable environment."
Beginning at the end of the month, testing will no longer be required for long-term care staff, caregivers and visitors who do not show symptoms.
The province said masking outdoors for residents, caregivers and visitors will no longer be recommended, but that recommendation will stand for staff who will be close to a resident outside.
Screening residents and temperature checks will also no longer required by the homes, the province said.
The province said it will also remove the cap on one caregiver at a time during a COVID-19 outbreak. Social activities will also be held without physical distancing.
The province is also encouraging homes that have retained vaccination passport requirements to revisit those policies and consider allowing visitors and staff inside regardless of their vaccination status.
Provincial data shows 5,335 nursing home residents have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic hit Ontario in early 2020. Thirteen long-term care home health-care workers have also died over that time frame.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 22, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.