PARKDALE—HIGH PARK — MPP Bhutila Karpoche and a coalition of community organizations have sent a letter to the Minister of Health and Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development demanding real action on paid sick days. Read the full letter:
May 7, 2021
Minister Elliott and Minister McNaughton,
Our community stands united in the call for paid sick days.
We are calling on the Government of Ontario to follow the advice of public health experts and immediately implement paid sick days for all. Ontario’s COVID-19 Science Advisory Table has said that “paying essential workers to stay home when they are sick” will work if we want to reduce transmission, protect our health care system, and safely re-open.
Implementing paid sick days for all will offer protection to those who have already been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Racialized, poor, and other vulnerable
Ontarians have been more likely to get infected with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. Essential workers don’t have the ability to stay home when they are sick, endangering themselves, their families and their fellow workers.
Half measures and stop-gap solutions won’t do. We need universal paid sick days
legislation, which covers all workers and remains in place after the pandemic. In addition, we want to see the provincial government bring forward a plan that delivers:
• No requirements for a doctors’ note
• Paid time off to get vaccinated
• Public health, not policing
• Priority vaccination for all essential workers
The people of Parkdale—High Park are committed to looking out for each other. All our neighbours should have protection against COVID-19 and should have the dignity and securtiy of staying at home when sick.
Paid sick days save lives. It’s time to listen to the science and pass a plan that protects all of Ontario’s workers.
Sincerely,
MPP Bhutila Karpoche
Breakaway Community Services
Morningside-High Park Presbyterian Church
Parkdale Project Read
Parkdale People’s Economy
Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust
Romero House
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Tibetan Women’s Association of Ontario
Toronto Zen Centre
Windermere United Church