NEWS RELEASE
TIMMINS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Today, the Province introduced the COVID-19 Putting Workers First Act. This legislation, if passed, will require employers to provide workers with up to three days of pay to a maximum of $200 per day if missing work because of COVID-19. The program is designed for employers with no sick time program, employers will have to apply for reimbursement through an online platform, and there is no obligation to pay above $200 if an employee's salary exceeds that amount. However, to support business owners and operators and offset that cost, the government has committed to reimburse employers up to $200 per day for each employee.
The chamber recognizes the announcement as a step in the right direction to protect essential workers. While Ontario is the only province that has committed to a paid sick day program during the pandemic, the proposed provincial top-up to the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit is also encouraging. This, however, is contingent on federal government participation and does not address other shortcomings of the federal program, such as processing delays. The chamber is calling on all levels of governments to remain open to further adjustments of their programs - as they have been with other support mechanisms rolled out in the pandemic and ensure programs meet the needs of workers and the market in Timmins and the surrounding area.
"Our position continues to be that business, particularly small businesses, simply cannot afford the additional financial responsibility to fund sick leave at this time. This is why The chamber and the broader Ontario Chamber network support the notion of a temporary paid sick program that is paid for by government for the duration of the pandemic," said Melanie Verreault, President of The chamber. "Any paid sick day program must be fully and immediately accessible to workers who need it with a quick and seamless reimbursement for employers. When workers protect themselves, they protect their colleagues, their employers, and their communities."
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