Image Credit: Government of BC

By Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo

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SOUND OFF: NDP’S paid sick leave program is too little, too late

May 13, 2021 | 9:58 AM

SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, it has been abundantly clear that British Columbians need a proper paid sick leave program to curb the spread of the disease. The data shows that outside of parties and social gatherings, the workplace is the greatest transmitter of COVID-19.

British Columbians need to be able to safely and confidently abide by health guidelines and stay home if they are displaying any COVID symptoms, but no British Columbian should ever feel like they must choose between being unable to pay their bills or going into work sick. I firmly believe that paid sick leave is a vital tool we need to flatten the curve and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This week at the Legislature, the NDP government introduced legislation that would provide three days of paid sick leave related to COVID-19. The B.C. government will reimburse employers up to $200 per day for each worker, so in an eight-hour workday, this would cover a worker who is paid up to $25 per hour.

This is an important step towards ensuring that every worker in British Columbia has protection, however, it is coming too late. We are more than a year into the pandemic — more than a year after the premier promised paid sick leave to British Columbians in March 2020.

This new legislation is unfair to the thousands of families who have been forced to make difficult decisions since then — disproportionately women, people of colour and youth aged 20 to 39 without coverage that were counting on paid sick leave during the second and now third waves. British Columbians should not have had to wait for this long. In fact, by the time this bill passes it will likely be June before anyone is eligible.

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I am also deeply concerned for already-struggling B.C. businesses who cannot afford any additional costs placed on their shoulders, as there is still potential for that to happen through this legislation. Government has not even set up the reimbursement program yet, meaning businesses may need to pay for sick leave out of their own pocket and won’t be reimbursed by government for months. Small businesses should not pay the price for this government’s delays and mistakes.

While I am glad to see British Columbians finally get access to paid sick leave, I am concerned as to why government attached a section to this bill that would also introduce permanent paid sick pay at the beginning of next year. Forcing this section now is unnecessary and does not allow the democratic process to unfold and encourage meaningful consultation. I encourage the NDP to change course and allow for proper consultation and then bring forward a bill during the fall Legislative session that provides more clarity to the business community as well as an opportunity for debate.

British Columbians deserve sick pay during a pandemic, and I am fully supportive of such a program — but I believe they also deserve a government that is open and honest with them.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.