March 8th, 2021

Horwath calls for paid time off for all workers to get their vaccine

QUEEN’S PARK — Official Opposition leader Andrea Horwath is proposing that people should be able to leave work without having their pay docked if their chance to get the COVID vaccine comes during their work hours.

“No one should have to choose between keeping their appointment for the life-saving COVID vaccine, or losing out on wages they need to pay the bills,” said Horwath. “We need to make it easy for people to choose to do the right thing and get the vaccine.”

Horwath’s proposal mirrors Ontario’s Election Act rules for voting. The Act gives employees qualified to vote three consecutive hours of time off to vote during polling hours, without any reduction in pay.

Horwath will raise the issue during question period Monday morning, looking for the government to support and adopt her proposal.