Minister of Labour, Training, and Skills Development Monte McNaughton talked to the Lorne Brooker Show about the new sick days benefits announced this week.
McNaughton says there are now three days of paid sick leave for employees who need to self-isolate because of the virus.
Employers will be reimbursed up to $200 a day for what they pay out through the program, which will be retroactive to April 19 and run through September 25.
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board will be allocating the funds on behalf of the province, sending the money to employers who initially paid the sick leave.
McNaughton says Ontario is the first province to do this.
“I believe Canada’s most comprehensive plan to ensure that workers who are sick or have symptoms related to COVID-19 can stay home and get paid.”
He says there are two components to the announcement.
“The federal government currently is offering $500 per week for four weeks for workers to stay home. We want to double that. Secondly, three paid sick days. Workers with symptoms related to COVID-19, if they’re sick.”
He says mental health issues will also be covered under the legislation, as are parents who need to stay home to care for children.
You can hear the full interview below
