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COVID-19: Canada Responds
B.C. Premier John Horgan Discusses Province's Paid Sick Leave Program
In Victoria, British Columbia Premier John Horgan outlines details of his government's legislation to implement a paid sick leave program. He is joined by provincial Labour Minister Harry Bains. The program aims to bridge a gap for workers to access the federal Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit. Amendments to B.C.'s Employment Standards Act will bring in three days of paid sick leave for workers who must miss work due to COVID-19 symptoms, who are self-isolating or who are waiting for a test result. Employers will be required to pay employees their full wages and the provincial government will reimburse employers without an existing sick leave program up to $200 per day for each worker. The legislation will also create a permanent paid sick leave for workers who cannot work due to any illness or injury, beginning January 1, 2022. The number of paid sick days will be determined following consultations with the business community and other stakeholders. The Ontario government announced on April 28 that it would be bringing in its own temporary program to provide three paid sick days for workers affected by COVID-19. (May 11, 2021) (no interpretation)