P.E.I. Tories, Liberals vote down Green paid sick leave bill

After a number of days of debate, most of P.E.I.’s elected members voted towards a personal member’s invoice that might have granted 10 days of paid sick go away to staff in P.E.I.

The invoice was launched by Inexperienced MLA Trish Altass. Throughout debate within the legislature, Altass careworn the COVID-19 pandemic had highlighted the necessity for paid sick days.

The province’s Employment Requirements Act solely requires employers present one paid sick day, and just for staff who’ve been on the similar job for 5 years. 

P.E.I.’s required five-day interval of self-isolation for Islanders who check constructive for COVID-19 is anticipated to finish this month. Altass has argued that paid sick days are crucial to make sure staff don’t lose earnings for shielding their very own well being and that of their co-workers.

Ultimately, Altass’ invoice was voted down 16-8, with solely the Inexperienced caucus voting in favour. 

Debate targeted on the quantity 10

Debate on the invoice targeted on whether or not or not 10 days of paid sick go away was too excessive of a price for companies to soak up. 

Talking to reporters on Nov. 23, Financial Progress Minister Bloyce Thompson mentioned he voted towards the invoice due to issues over the potential financial price of 10 paid sick days, which his division estimated may very well be as excessive as $70 million.

“You actually need to do a deep dive (about) whether or not the taxpayer pays that. If the enterprise has to pay that, it is simply going to be handed onto the buyer,” Thompson mentioned.

Thompson additionally mentioned a complete overview of the province’s Employment Requirements Act is underway and would think about the paid sick go away query.

Altass mentioned the variety of 10 paid sick days corresponded to the typical absences taken by Island staff yearly, in accordance with Statistics Canada information.

“I’ve supplied proof why 10. But when others really feel it needs to be much less, put a quantity ahead,” Altass mentioned throughout debate on Nov. 22.

Liberal MLA Hal Perry mentioned he believes staff ought to have entry to legislated paid sick days, however mentioned he was undecided what number of. 

“To search out that magic quantity – I can’t give you it with out extra session,” Perry mentioned.

“If we don’t really feel right here at this time as a legislative meeting that we will’t go so far as 10, I believe it might be fully simply disappointing and heartbreaking for these staff to have completely no safety when nobody is courageous sufficient to say what they suppose it needs to be to begin,” Altass mentioned.

No different MLA proposed an modification decreasing the variety of sick days in Altass’ invoice.

Particular go away to be prolonged 

On Nov. 22, Thompson dedicated to extending the province’s COVID-19 particular go away fund, which is about to run out in December. The fund supplies employers monetary help to permit staff to supply paid go away for staff who’re sick or who require a vaccination appointment.

Thompson additionally mentioned between 48 per cent and 58 per cent of Island staff lack entry to paid sick go away. That is way more staff than are coated underneath the particular go away fund.

Thompson’s division instructed SaltWire a complete of 1,987 staff and self-employed people accessed paid sick go away protection underneath the particular go away fund so far in 2022.

Altass mentioned the particular go away fund was an insufficient substitute for legislated paid sick days.

“Companies have the selection whether or not or to not entry it. That is companies being allowed to decide on what’s greatest for Islanders’ well being, not Islanders themselves,” Altass instructed the legislature on Nov. 22.

Thompson mentioned the overview of the Employment Requirements Act could be accomplished in March.

“I believe with what they are saying, we will have laws right here subsequent fall for paid sick go away off their suggestions,” Thompson mentioned.

Thompson’s remarks produced groans from the Inexperienced Opposition benches. 

The autumn 2023 sitting of the legislature would nearly actually come after the subsequent provincial election. 

Division did not counsel quantity

Altass mentioned she consulted with Thompson’s workers earlier than introducing her invoice. She mentioned workers didn’t counsel a variety of paid sick days decrease than 10.

Altass says she made important adjustments to her invoice because of consultations, together with a provision that excluded unionized staff from the legislated sick days. 

Talking to reporters on Nov. 23, Altass mentioned she was “extraordinarily upset” to see the invoice voted down.

“It’s dangerous sufficient that now we have staff who is not going to be paid when they should take the time without work once they’re sick,” Altass mentioned.

“We even have conditions the place staff’ jobs themselves are in danger.”