Ontario is preparing to introduce its own paid sick leave program.
Speaking from his home, Premier Doug Ford says workers need to know they won’t lose their job or their income if they get sick.
“If you’re living pay cheque to pay cheque, you shouldn’t have to wait long for the support you need,” Ford says. “For months, my ministers and I have been trying to work the federal government to fix the existing federal sick pay program. There is a gap of about two to three days where no one gets paid, so we’re going to be working on that and we’re going to come up with a very strong program to protect the workers.”
Sick days, covered by the Employment Standards Act, are a provincial jurisdiction. The Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit was introduced by the federal government as an emergency measure for employees who are unable to work because they are sick or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19, or have an underlying health condition that puts them at greater risk of getting the virus.
The Conservative leader was hammered by reporter questions, including one who asked if Ford believes he still has the moral authority to lead the province. The Premier says people have the right to voice their opinions, but he’s not one to walk away from anything, and will continue to lead through the pandemic and beyond.
Ford admitted the government acted too quickly with new restrictions, especially closing playgrounds and giving police arbitrary powers and sincerely apologized for the moves.
“We got it wrong, I know we made a mistake, and for that I’m sorry and I sincerely apologize. Because as Premier, as I said right from the beginning, the buck stops with me.”
He went on to talk about the stress we are all feeling over a year into this pandemic and he got choked up when he talked about the cost emotionally and physically we are all paying.
“I hear it every day, every single day. People telling me their stories, the stories that can make you cry, families that haven’t been able to hold hands.”
Ford spoke from outside his home where he is self-isolating after coming in contact with a staffer who had tested positive for COVID-19.