The program, which offers up to three paid sick days per employee, will remain in effect until March 31, 2023. It was originally set to expire at the end of July.
In a press release issued Thursday, the government said eligible workers will continue to receive up to $200 a day if they need to be tested, vaccinated, isolated or care for a family member. who is sick with COVID-19.
Doug Ford’s government first amended the Employment Standards Act in April 2021 to allow three days of paid sick leave in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 in key workplaces. The program was supposed to be in place for about six months, but has been extended several times.
The program remains temporary and specific to the new coronavirus. In December, Labor Secretary Monte McNaughton said he was committed to offering three paid sick days throughout the pandemic.
“I’m going to keep my word and we’re going to make sure these paid sick days are there as long as COVID is here,” he said. “That’s front and center for me. It’s a priority. I’m going to make sure workers have paid sick days throughout this pandemic.”
A Ministry of Labor spokesperson told CTV News Toronto that there are no further updates on whether or not the program will remain in place after the pandemic is declared endemic or included in the upcoming budget.
In 2018, the newly elected Ford government blocked a Liberal provincial paid sick leave program, arguing that it was up to employers to give workers time off if they demand it.
