September 1st, 2021

Horwath urges paid sick days to support parents, protect schools amid fourth wave

HAMILTON —Official Opposition NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is urging the Ford government to beef up paid sick days to meet the needs of working families as children head back to school during the fourth wave of COVID-19.

Doug Ford fought tooth and nail against implementing paid sick days for months during the pandemic. After coughing up three measly paid sick days and refusing to invest in helping workers access them, Ford is now sitting on 96 per cent of the funding set aside for the so-called program.

“Three paid sick days were never going to be enough to keep people safe in the middle of a global pandemic,” said Horwath. “Not only has Ford’s half-measure left a huge gap for workers who need paid time off to get tested for COVID-19 or self-isolate, but it has left an even bigger gap for parents who need to do the same for their kids.”

The NDP’s Stay Home If You Are Sick Act, put forward by Labour critic Peggy Sattler, aims to establish 14 government-funded paid sick days while the pandemic is ongoing. Doug Ford’s Conservatives have shot the bill down repeatedly, but New Democrats aren’t giving up. The NDP will reintroduce Sattler’s bill for expedited passage when the legislature resumes in an effort to help parents and safeguard schools.

“It’s time for Doug Ford to come out of hiding and stop making the same bad choices,” said Horwath. “The fourth wave is here, schools are still vulnerable to disruptions, and paid sick days could help make the difference between kids being in class and being forced to return to online learning at home.

“Let’s give parents and workers every tool they need to protect themselves, their families and their co-workers this fall, including paid sick days and family care days. Let’s help everyone follow public health guidance and reassure folks that they won’t lose a paycheque if they need the day off because someone in their household woke up with a cough or fever.”

Horwath has been calling for paid sick days and family care days as part of a broader plan to make September safe.