Ford promised a provincial COVID paid sick leave program, 'the best program anywhere in North America'
“That's why we're now working on our solution to fill those gaps for everyone in Ontario. ... We will have the best program anywhere in North America, bar none.”
Doug Ford, · Virtual news conference while self-isolating
What happened · Apr 29, 2021
One week later the legislature passed the COVID-19 Putting Workers First Act, giving workers three paid COVID-related sick days at up to $200 a day, reimbursed to employers by the province.
Ford announced the program on April 22, 2021, after months of saying the federal Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit was enough. Bill 284 passed unanimously on April 29, 2021: three paid days at up to $200 a day, backdated to April 19 and originally set to end on September 25, 2021. The same day, the co-chair of Ontario's science advisory table answered 'No' when asked whether three days were enough, saying workers needed ten. The program was extended several times and ended on March 31, 2023. Ford's office said it would not be replaced and pointed instead to a planned portable health and dental benefits program.
Promise: kawarthaNOW, Toronto Star, Daily Hive
Outcome: CBC News, CBC News, CBC News, Global News