TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO:
WHEREAS there is overwhelming evidence to show that paid sick leave significantly reduces the spread of infectious disease, promotes preventive health care and reduces health care system costs; and
WHEREAS 60% of Ontario workers do not have access to paid sick days, and therefore must sacrifice income to stay home if they are sick; and
WHEREAS low-wage and precarious workers who can least afford to miss pay are the most likely to be denied paid sick days; and
WHEREAS employers benefit when sick workers can afford to stay home, limiting the spread of illness to co-workers and customers, and allowing workers to recover faster; and
WHEREAS during an infectious disease emergency, it is unreasonable and dangerous to public health to make workers choose between protecting their communities and providing for their families; and
WHEREAS mandating employers to provide paid sick leave through the Employment Standards Act ensures that workers have seamless, uninterrupted access to their pay; and
WHEREAS the COVID-19 pandemic has left many small businesses hanging by a thread, and transitional financial support will assist these businesses to pay for sick leave for their employees during the pandemic;
THEREFORE, we the undersigned petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to immediately pass the Stay Home If You Are Sick Act to provide workers with 10 permanent sick days (7 of which are paid) without the requirement for doctors’ notes, and an additional 14 paid sick days during an infectious disease emergency, so they can follow public health advice and keep our workplaces and our communities safe.