MP Terry Sheehan attends a meeting of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development with fellow members of the Liberal caucus before witness testimony on Bill C-3
Protecting our Health Care Workers and
10 paid sick days for Federally regulated workers
For Immediate Release
December 17th, 2021- Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Terry Sheehan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour, and Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie is pleased to see the passing of Bill C-3 in the House of Commons yesterday. Mr. Sheehan would like to extend a prodigious congratulations to the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Labour, and to the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice, for their hard work on this Bill. Mr. Sheehan would also like to extend a tremendous thank you to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities for their swift, thorough, and complete study of the Bill.
Bill C-3 is a critical piece of legislation that the Liberal Government has been advocating for to protect our health care professionals who are working selflessly to save lives and care for patients, and to protect workers so that they can take sick leave and not have to worry about the financial repercussions of taking care of themselves when sick. Canadians should never fear for their own safety when they are coming and going from work, being threatened, or bullied. Canadians must also be able to access medical care without obstruction or intimidation from others.
No individual should have to choose between staying home or seeking medical support when they are sick because they might not be able to purchase groceries or miss a mortgage or rent payment. This pandemic has demonstrated the critical need to stay home when sick, and as such everyone should have access to paid sick leave so they can stay home. Many workers in the federally regulated labour sectors do not have private sick leave through their employers. Often, these workers are most impacted by the effect of illness requiring days off whether it be to help their children, or themselves.
Even though Bill C-3 ensures 10 days of paid sick leave, and other leaves, this does not impede employers and unions from working together to give employees more than the required timeframe set out in this legislation.
We will continue to work with our provincial and territorial counterparts to support provincially regulated workers also have access to 10 days of paid sick leave a year.
Quote:
“ I extend a heartfelt congratulations to the Ministers responsible for this Bill, and to HUMA for their insightful and respectful debates and amendments in regard to this Bill. We need to ensure that all workers are protected, and as such ensure that they have a place of employment that is healthy, safe, and free from bullying, harassment, and intimidation. Our government will continue to support workers through this pandemic, and beyond.”
-Terry Sheehan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour, and Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie