New measures in Ontario address some – but not all – flaws in federal program

GREATER SUDBURY, April 28, 2021 – Today, Cora DeMarco, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, released the following statement in reaction to the Government of Ontario’s Paid Sick Day Program Proposal announced today:

“Today’s announcement by the Government of Ontario is an important component to support essential workers through offering paid sick days. Ontario, the only province that has committed to a paid sick day program during the pandemic, has also proposed additional provincial top ups to the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit that would be contingent on federal government participation. Considering the shortcomings of the federal program, we would like to see all levels of governments open to further adjustments of their programs – as they have been with other programs rolled out in the pandemic – to ensure programs meets the needs of workers and the market in Greater Sudbury.

“Our position continues to be that business, particularly small businesses, simply cannot afford the additional financial responsibility to fund sick leave at this time, which is why the chamber network and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce support the notion of a temporary paid sick program that is paid for by government for the duration of the pandemic. 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.”

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Syed Raza

Policy & Communications Manager

Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce

705-677-5735 (cell)

syed(at)sudburychamber(dot)ca

The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce represents 850 businesses employing in excess of 43,000 employees and works as the voice of the business community to influence municipal, provincial and federal legislation affecting the business community.