Send a message to Premier Ford and Health Minister Jones: paid sick leave save lives

3,480 actions

goal: 5,000

BREAKING: The Ford government just extended Ontario’s paid sick leave program. [1]

But it’s woefully inadequate. The Worker Income Protection Benefit (WIPB) gives workers a measly three sick days for a virus that experts say requires a minimum of 10 days of isolation. [2, 3 , 4]

With a new summer wave of COVID-19 tearing through communities and Ford's WIPB program falling short, it feels like the Ford government has abandoned workers and given up the fight against COVID-19 but the pandemic isn't over.

The Ford government just announced they’re extending the program. A flood of backlash — sounding the alarm that it doesn’t go far enough — could force them to revisit their decision and consider 10 days of permanent, universal, and paid sick leave. Will you send a message to Premier Ford, Labour Minister McNaughton, and Health Minister Sylvia Jones to immediately legislate 10 paid sick leave to save lives?

Subject

Dear Premier Ford, Labour Minister McNaughton, and Health Minister Jones,

I am writing to you today to urge you to introduce legislated, universal, permanent, fully paid, and accessible paid sick leave to help save lives.

Extending the Worker Income Protection Benefit (WIPB) is a good first step, but it doesn’t go far enough.

The pandemic is not over. Yet workers are still being forced to make the impossible choice of going into work - and potentially spreading the virus - or missing out on their paycheque, all because we don’t have adequate, legislated paid sick leave.

Experts are clear that people need a minimum of 10 days of isolation. The WIPB only provides coverage for 3 days, meaning workers lose out on up to 7 days of wages. In the current economy, this can be devastating.

I am asking you to to act with the health and wellbeing of Ontarians in mind and introduce 10 permanent sick days, with an additional 14 for public health emergencies in line with what medical professionals and public health experts are calling for.

A proper paid sick leave program will save lives. I urge you to act now before more lives are lost.

Sincerely,

Send to

Doug Ford, Health Minister Sylvia Jones, Minister of Labour Monte McNaughton

Your details

Postal code format: A1A1A1 (no spaces)

I'd like to receive updates from Leadnow

Leadnow will respect your privacy, and keep you updated about this campaign and others.

Send a message to Premier Ford and Health Minister Jones: paid sick leave save lives

Thank you for taking action!