FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 11, 2022

Official Opposition invites the public to provide feedback on its proposed legislation to provide 10 paid sick days to Island workers

Charlottetown, PE – Throughout the pandemic, access to paid sick leave has been a critical tool to protect our communities and support workers. Now, as government relaxes pandemic measures, it is more important than ever that our province is prepared to help both Islanders and our economy weather any health-related storms that come our way.

Trish Altass, MLA for Tyne Valley-Sherbrooke and Official Opposition Critic for Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture, is proposing legislation to amend the Employment Standards Act. The amendments are designed to provide workers with the necessary supports needed to safeguard their health, their families, and their workplaces.

Specifically, the proposed legislation would provide Islander workers with up to 10 paid sick days a year and allow workers to use their available paid sick leave before any available unpaid leave.

“The last two years of necessary health restrictions have confirmed what many advocates have been saying for years – when people are healthy, the economy is healthy,” said Altass. “Furthermore, studies of COVID and other influenza-type illnesses have demonstrated that paid sick leave benefits support workers in following health guidance, increase vaccine uptake, and protects the workplace and community at large from widespread transmission of illness.”

The Office of the Official Opposition is seeking public feedback on this proposed legislation. Islanders are invited to review the proposed legislation at:

https://peigreencaucus.ca/2022/02/paid-sick-leave/

Public feedback can be submitted online by email to officialopposition@assembly.pe.ca. Submissions will be accepted until 12:00 PM on Friday, March 4.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Jonathan Hamel
Director of Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
Tel: (902) 213-0718
Email: jdhamel@assembly.pe.ca