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Paid Sick Days: Are You Outraged Enough to Pay for It?

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3 years ago

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by Nick Kossovan

 

 

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As a part of the solution to get out of this COVID19 pandemic mess, which keeps sticking to us like sidewalk gum to a shoe on a hot July day, we need universal paid sick days.

 

On Monday, April 26th, for the 21st time since 2016, the Ontario Conservatives voted against provincial paid leave. Michael Coteau (Don Valley East, Liberal MPP) had put forward a bill that would have guaranteed 10 paid sick days for all workers in Ontario. Coteau’s bill was voted down 20 – 55.

 

Pandemic or no pandemic, should all workers in Ontario have easy access to paid sick days? Of course! All Canadians on a payroll, working full-time (no less than 35 hours per week) regardless of whom they work for, the industry they work in, or their employer’s size, should.

 

The lack of paid sick time is a public health concern. Long overdue is universal paid sick days. Workers need to be able to stay home and not bring sicknesses into the workplace.

 

However, as with any social program, especially when birthing a new one, who pays is the thorny question. The last time I checked, Canadians don’t like tax increases or any increase in living costs. It’s as if Canadians, many at least, believe the many social services and social safety nets Canada offers don’t have any expenses attached to them.

 

For universal paid sick days, permanent and adequate, to happen in Ontario, taxpayers will have to pay. This can be equated to the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), which provides universal healthcare regardless of income, place of employment or any other factor other than being a resident of Ontario, being funded by taxpayers. I feel sick leave should be part of OHIP, where the government absorbs the cost up to a daily limit. This can only be achieved by increasing taxes while businesses absorb lost productivity.

 

For the record, I’m okay with my taxes being raised to make universal paid sick days a reality.

 

Yes, you read that right. I was brought up if you want something, you must pay for it. As a taxpayer, I want universal paid sick days (10 days annually), and I’m willing to have my taxes increased to pay for it.

 

That’s the “who pays” side of the equation. However, there’s also the political side to entertain.

 

It’s not a stretch to consider because Coteau’s bill was an opposition bill, the vote result was a juvenile rejection. If Coteau’s bill had passed, that would’ve been a massive win for the Liberal. The Conservatives couldn’t have that.

 

A few days later, this past Thursday, Labour Minister Monte McNaughton tabled a bill that was quickly passed through the legislative process. The legislation gives Ontario workers 3 paid days of emergency leave. Businesses are expected to foot the upfront cost, which will be reimbursed up to $200 per day, per employee, through the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB).

 

This program has an expiry date of September 25th, as if at midnight on Saturday, September 25th, COVID will suddenly become history. Therefore, on Sunday, September 26th, workers in Ontario with no paid sick days provided by their employer will be back to square one.

 

Michael Coteau’s bill and Monte McNaughton, now legislated bill aren’t even remotely comparable!

 

Political partisanship has its place governing economic direction, but not when it comes to public health. COVID has taught us many deadly lessons, including how dangerous it is to approach a health problem as a political problem. Ford’s handling of this pandemic, which undeniably has been guided by appealing as much as possible to his voter base, is a case in point. As well, to deflect, Ford has been leaning heavily on the federal government’s Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) program to claim an Ontario paid sick leave program would be redundant.

 

The debate around paid sick days has been made into a political issue by politicians of every political stripe. There isn’t a political party that can claim not to have been leveraging the social injustices COVID has bubbled up to serve their political agenda.

 

The largest private-sector union in Canada, Unifor, recently conducted a poll to gauge the level of support for paid sick days (Never judge public appetite by social media posts. Most “social justice” posts are virtue signalling.). Unifor’s poll found 70 percent of Ontarians support 5 days of paid sick leave, and 64 percent support 10 days of paid sick leave.

 

Business interests are often touted as the main reason behind the lack of action on measures like paid sick days. There’s much truth to this. Not one person reading this doesn’t benefit from profitable businesses populating Canada’s landscape. While the yin yang between political power and economic health is complex, it boils down to people wanting good-paying jobs.

 

For good-paying jobs to be created and exist, a business-friendly environment needs to exist—an environment that’s conducive to do business in. Providing businesses with a competitive “cost of doing business” environment, when compared to conducting their business elsewhere (e.g., other provinces, overseas and let’s not forget our next-door neighbour, the USA, where most states don’t have paid sick leave.), will be the spark for rapid economic growth post-COVID.

 

Then there’s also automation, contracting out, et al., to consider which businesses migrate toward as ways to look after their profit margins. Mandating businesses to take on the financial cost and productivity loss of providing paid sick days will be another incentive for businesses to move elsewhere, outsource work to contractors, fast-track implementing automation, or simply close shop.

 

The common narrative, born from a sense of entitlement, is that because a person owns a business, they are rich and living off the back of their employees. That perception is completely incorrect.

 

Many small business owners—owners of restaurants, convenience stores, mom and pop travel agencies, dry cleaners, coffee shops, retailers—can’t afford the financial cost (paying people not to work) coupled with the production loss (work not being done) to offer their employees paid sick days. Imagine the negative impact, financially and productivity-wise, on a flower shop with 5 employees and 2 call in sick or an autobody shop with a staff of 7.

 

The application of economic principles and the ecosystems they create for businesses to thrive can’t be dismissed.

 

Ford has said, “he will not impose any additional burden on the backs of Ontario businesses.” This is a fair statement, especially from a conservative perspective and given how most businesses are struggling to stay alive under the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Many businesses are on the brink of permanent closure.

 

You don’t need to be an expert to see the economic damage the pandemic lockdowns have caused. Whenever any meaningful “recovery” happens (my guess that it’ll be mid-2023), it won’t be fair or straightforward. An environment that’s attractive to businesses starting, expanding, or entice to come to Ontario will be crucial post-COVID for any type of healthy economic recovery to take place. Keep in mind all provinces will be on the same mission. So will countries worldwide, including our southern neighbours, who are the world’s most adept capitalists and possess high energy of self-interest.

 

My empathy for employers who can’t afford to offer their employees 10 paid sick days annually, especially during a pandemic and with consumers constantly demanding cheap, is why I’m willing to pay more taxes.

 

Adding to my empathy is my enormous respect for anyone who takes on the financial risk, a risk most people won’t take, to start a business that creates jobs.

 

Due to pandemic spending, Ontario now finds itself with a historic deficit (forecasted to be about $33.1 billion for the 2021-22 fiscal year based on four percent growth in the economy). I’m surmising Ford is reluctant to raise taxes. Inevitably somewhere down the line, taxes will need to be increased—the piper always needs to be paid. Right now, increasing taxes would be political suicide, thus permission needs to be given.

 

I suggest the message to Doug Ford’s government be: “The people of Ontario are demanding permanent paid sick days! Let us help you help every worker in Ontario regardless of whom they work for. Increase our taxes if need be.”

 

All Canadian political leaders should hear such a message.

 

If such permission were granted, no political leader would have any excuse not to provide universal paid sick days.

 

Call it reverse protesting.

 

Currently, those of us, the 70 percent according to Unifor’s poll, who favour universal paid sick days, are just sitting idly by watching politicians playing politics.

 

Ontario taxpayers offering to put their money where their mouth is might be the protest required for Doug Ford’s government to finally provide universal paid sick days.

 

I’m outraged enough to be willing to pay more taxes to bring universal paid sick days to fruition in Ontario, are you?

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Nick Kossovan, a self-described connoisseur of human psychology, writes about what’s on his mind from Toronto.

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AHS confirms case of measles in Edmonton – CityNews Edmonton

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15 mins ago

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April 24, 2024

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Alberta Health Services (AHS) has confirmed a case of measles in Edmonton, and is advising the public that the individual was out in public while infectious.

Measles is an extremely contagious disease that is spread easily through the air, and can only be prevented through immunization.

AHS says individuals who were in the following locations during the specified dates and times, may have been exposed to measles.

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  • April 16
    • Edmonton International Airport, international arrivals and baggage claim area — between 3:20 p.m. and 6 p.m.
  • April 20
    • Stollery Children’s Hospital Emergency Department — between 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • April 22
    • 66th Medical Clinic (13635 66 St NW Edmonton) — between 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
    • Pharmacy 66 (13637 66 St NW Edmonton) — between 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • April 23
    • Stollery Children’s Hospital Emergency Department — between 4:40 a.m. to 9:33 a.m.

AHS says anyone who attended those locations during those times is at risk of developing measles if they’ve not had two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine.

Those who have not had two doses, who are pregnant, under one year of age, or have a weakened immune system are at greatest risk of getting measles and should contact Health Link at 1-877-720-0707.

Symptoms

Symptoms of measles include a fever of 38.3° C or higher, cough, runny nose, and/or red eyes, a red blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down the body and then to the arms and legs.

If you have any of these symptoms stay home and call Health Link.

In Alberta, measles vaccine is offered, free of charge, through Alberta’s publicly funded immunization program. Children in Alberta typically receive their first dose of measles vaccine at 12 months of age, and their second dose at 18 months of age.

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U.S. tightens rules for dairy cows a day after bird flu virus fragments found in pasteurized milk samples – Toronto Star

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1 hour ago

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April 24, 2024

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Infected cows were already prohibited from being transported out of state, but that was based on the physical characteristics of the milk, which looks curdled when a cow is infected, or a cow has decreased lactation or low appetite, both symptoms of infection.

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New technology to advance women’s cancer care at Southlake

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12 hours ago

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April 24, 2024

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NEWS RELEASE
SOUTHLAKE REGIONAL HEALTH CENTRE
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This Cancer Awareness Month, Southlake is adding advanced technologies to detect and treat breast cancer and other women’s cancers thanks to generous community donor support, most recently through the HERE is Where Cancer Meets its Match campaign. New cancer care technology, including new mammography machines, the MyoSure System and the MOLLI 2® System will make a measurable impact in diagnosing and treating women’s cancers in the communities Southlake serves.

Southlake is installing three new mammography machines to expand its breast cancer screening program to 1,500 more women each year. Two of these machines have new biopsy capabilities that will reduce the number of cancelled exams due to equipment failure, ensuring timely care for women. Women ages 40 to 49 years old will be able to self-refer for publicly funded mammograms through the Ontario Breast Screening Program starting this fall.

“Early detection is critical when treating breast cancer and other women’s cancers,” said Lorrie Reynolds, Director, Regional Cancer Program at Southlake. “We treat more than 1,700 breast cancer patients at Southlake every year. By adding advanced technology, like the new mammography machines, we’re ensuring women have the best experience at Southlake.”

Southlake is also introducing the MyoSure System, an innovative technology that can help detect female reproductive cancers. Damaged tissue in a woman’s uterus such as fibroids and polyps can now be removed in a precise, minimally invasive procedure that leaves the rest of the uterus intact. This will improve the overall patient experience by supporting faster recovery, reducing the risk of infection and giving more women the option to have children. An estimated 200 women per year will benefit from the MyoSure System.

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The new mammography machines and the MyoSure System build on Southlake’s recent investment in the MOLLI 2® System, a made-in-Canada wire-free breast localization technology.  This technology is considerably less invasive and more accurate when compared to wire-guided localization, resulting in a better patient experience and improved cosmetic outcomes.  More than 200 women each year will benefit from this innovative medical device as they are treated for breast cancer at Southlake.

“As a clinician caring for women with cancer in our community, I’m incredibly proud of the work Southlake is doing to advance women’s health and improve patient experiences,” said Sara Temple, MD, Surgical Oncologist and Chief of Surgery at Southlake. “Women who visit Southlake can be confident that they are receiving leading edge care, close to home when they need it most.”

The World Health Organization anticipates a 77 per cent increase in cancer diagnoses by 2050.  Southlake serves some of the fastest growing communities in Canada and anticipates that the number of patients requiring cancer care will grow. By investing in new technology, Southlake is ensuring that women in the communities it serves have access to leading edge cancer care. All of these investments were funded with support from community donors who generously gave to Southlake to support investments into women’s health at the hospital.

“The generosity of our donor community and the impact they have made for women receiving cancer diagnosis and treatment at Southlake is something we can all take great pride in,” said Jennifer Ritter, President and CEO of Southlake Foundation. “From our Women’s Health Initiative donors supporting new mammography machines, to the Ladies in Philanthropy for Southlake funding the MOLLI 2 System, to our long-standing partners The Edge Benefits and Pheasant Run Golf Club enabling the introduction of MyoSure System through their joint annual charity golf tournament, we are incredibly lucky to share a vision of access to exceptional care for everyone who depends on Southlake when they need us most. Thank you, to every donor who contributed to these important upgrades to care for women.”

Southlake Foundation’s HERE is Where Cancer Meets its Match campaign supports the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake. For more information or to make a donation, visit: southlake.ca/HERE.

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