Health workers continue calls for paid sick days; new COVID childcare benefits start today
Posted April 26, 2021 6:40 am.
Last Updated April 26, 2021 8:32 am.
Doctors and nurses in Ontario continue to call for paid sick days after the provincial government said last week it was working on a plan.
Healthcare workers gathered at Queen’s Park in a ‘pop-up protest’ on Sunday and say they don’t plan to back down until paid sick leave is a reality and in place in the province.
The protest outside the legislature saw continued demands for a permanent program as oppose to a temporary program that requires workers to apply.
Premier Doug Ford confirmed the province would implement a program last week, but provided little in the way of specific details, it remains to be seen when the new program will be unveiled.
Health officials continue to argue that many of the patients ending up in hospital in Ontario are essential workers or family members of essential workers.
Public health experts, labour groups, and local officials have been calling for sick-leave support for much of the pandemic, arguing it would reduce the overall COVID-19 spread.
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Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced on Sunday that a new round of pandemic payments are on the way for parents in Ontario starting this week.
The $400 payments per child will be paid to parents through the Ontario COVID-19 Child Benefit program. The program applies to parents of preschool children through to grade 12 as well as parents of children up to 21 with special needs.
Payments will begin being sent out on Monday.
