FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2026
Green bill to remove sick notes and ease administrative burden on doctors
Charlottetown, PE – This Wednesday in the Legislature, Matt MacFarlane, Leader of the Green Party of PEI, will begin debate on his bill that would remove the requirement for sick notes for employees who are already guaranteed sick days under the Employment Standards Act. The bill, which is an amendment to the Employment Standards Act, removes the small but significant administrative burden on our healthcare professionals of writing sick notes and will help relieve pressure on our struggling and overwhelmed healthcare system.
“We have to do everything in our power to support our hardworking frontline healthcare workers and improve Islanders’ access to healthcare,” said MacFarlane. “Removing the sick note requirement for sick days already guaranteed by legislation removes an unnecessary administrative burden from our healthcare workers, frees up space in our overcrowded doctors’ offices, walk-in clinics and ERs, and helps keep sick Islanders who don’t need medical treatment at home where they can get better.”
In the spring of 2024, MacFarlane brought forward a near-identical bill which, despite receiving support from healthcare professionals and Island workers, was voted down by the majority PC government. At the time, MacFarlane was joined on the floor of the legislature by emergency room physician Dr. Kay Dingwell who supported the bill’s intent to lessen the administrative burden on the healthcare system.
“Since I brought forward the sick notes bill almost exactly two years ago, our healthcare system has gotten even more strained. We are losing family doctors because of this government’s inability to work with them, listen to their concerns, and take real action.” said MacFarlane.
“It is simply not reasonable to continue to allow employees to require sick notes for minor illness. These notes do nothing but expose vulnerable Islanders in healthcare settings to people who should be at home recovering, and are not an appropriate use of the overburdened public health system,” said Dr. Kay Dingwell. “We can all benefit from sensible changes that address the stresses on our health system, especially by tackling the exploding administrative burden on Island physicians.”
It is estimated that on PEI more than 8,000 hours of clinical time is wasted annually on writing sick notes – time that could be better used towards patient care.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Katie Rankin
Chief of Staff
Office of the Third Party
Tel: (902) 213-6378
Email: kerankin@assembly.pe.ca