December 15, 2022
Green Leader’s Bill to Establish Paid Sick Leave at 2nd Reading Today
FREDERICTON – Green Party leader and MLA for Fredericton South David Coon’s bill that would prescribe 10 paid sick days for all New Brunswick workers will be debated at 2nd reading during opposition business in the Legislature this afternoon. If passed, Coon’s bill would bring provincially regulated workers in line with federally regulated employees, who recently gained access to 10 paid sick days annually.
“Paid sick days are an important public health measure that would ensure that New Brunswickers don’t have to choose between staying home sick and putting food on the table,” said Coon. “Plus, places that have already instituted paid sick days have seen multiple benefits including increased productivity, better staff retention, a decline in workplace injuries and an increase in morale.”
Small and medium businesses have many challenges during this pandemic, so Coon’s bill would have the government establish a fund to ensure the costs of paid sick days do not cause additional hardship as they adapt to the new requirements.
“For years the government has subsidized large corporations with millions of dollars. Meanwhile small and medium businesses are having difficulty attracting and retaining employees,” said Kevin Arseneau, Green Caucus critic for Economic Development and Small Business. “The government should step up and use some of their huge surplus to support them so that all New Brunswickers can afford to stay home when they are sick.”
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