FREDERICTON – Green Party leader and MLA for Fredericton South, David Coon, is calling on the Higgs government to ensure all New Brunswick workers have access to paid sick days.  Yesterday, Ontario’s government announced a paid sick day program for workers impacted by COVID-19.

“Whether a worker is self-isolating waiting for a COVID test and its results, or is sick with COVID, paid sick days are absolutely essential in the fight against the coronavirus variants,” said Coon. “When you live paycheck to paycheck, it can be a difficult decision to stay home when you have symptoms or must be tested. Paid sick days are an essential public health measure to stop the spread of the variants.”

Memramcook-Tantramar MLA Megan Mitton tabled a motion last year that sought to provide workers with 5 days of paid sick leave, that would be expanded to 10 days in times of crisis, like during COVID.

“We are in a race against the variants in New Brunswick as vaccines roll-out.  Paid sick days could help make the difference,” said Coon.