Singh Says Conservative Premiers 'Completely Failed People' On Paid Sick Days
OTTAWA — Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh aired his grievances Friday about the link between COVID-19 outbreaks and ineffective paid sick-day policies, claiming conservative premiers have “completely failed people” on this file during the pandemic.
Singh and members of his party have continually pressed the federal government for months to take stronger measures on paid sick leave, despite provincial and territorial governments’ jurisdiction on labour codes and employment standards.
Pressed if his message would be better directed at Ontario Premier Doug Ford than the federal government, Singh said provincial leaders share responsibility for the issue as the COVID-19 crisis continues.
“There’s no doubt that conservative premiers like Doug Ford have completely failed people,” Singh said of provincial governments’ reluctance and delay in introducing guaranteed paid sick days during a pandemic. Only Quebec and P.E.I. have permanent paid sick leave policies.
“They have failed and they need to come up with ways to support people and businesses,” he added. “There is no question: Doug Ford has failed, as well as (Saskatchewan Premier) Scott Moe, (Alberta Premier) Jason Kenney, they’ve been failures.”
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Singh, who spoke to reporters after a caucus meeting, outlined three items that will be high on his radar when Parliament returns next week: the vaccine rollout, protecting seniors, and ensuring easier access to paid sick days.
His criticism comes the same week a temporary agreement came into effect in Alberta, making symptomatic nurses eligible for paid sick leave “for the duration of their illness or for the applicable isolation period” until March 31.
According to the Decent Work and Health Network, 58 per cent of workers in Canada do not have adequate paid sick leave.
Doctors and advocates have warned COVID-19 transmission in workplaces is fuelled by inadequate...
