TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO:
Whereas Doug Ford plans to roll back worker’s rights by eliminating two (2) paid sick days and by allowing employers to request a doctor’s note, by eliminating equal pay for equal work, and by freezing the minimum wage at $14 per hour;
Whereas 1.6 million Ontarians will be forced to choose between getting paid and getting well, and risk losing their job for taking an unpaid sick day;
Whereas the absence of paid sick days places further burden on already overcrowded doctors’ offices and emergency departments worsening hallway medicine, and puts the public’s health at risk;
Whereas the decision to eliminate two paid sick days was made without evidence and is contrary to guidelines from the Public Health Agency of Canada, the World Health Organization, and the Ontario Medical Association;
Whereas access to paid sick days reduces the duration of illness, reduces the worsening of minor conditions, and is correlated with a higher return to work rate following heart attacks and an overall lower burden on health care resources;
We the undersigned petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to: immediately reverse Doug Ford’s decision to roll back employment standard that will undoubtedly hurt millions of Ontarians, and drag Ontario backwards when it comes to workers’ rights and employment standards.