The COVID-19 pandemic showed us all just how important it is for employees to have the financial capacity to stay home when sick or exposed to contagious illnesses. Federal funding allowed many without sick benefits to stay home when sick with COVID, to avoid spreading the dangerous respiratory illness.

Since this funding has ended, and as governments across the country look at how to address this gap, the Greens are pushing for guaranteed paid sick days for all New Brunswick workers. In fact, David Coon tabled a bill on this issue in 2022. After expert hearings in committee and stakeholder consultations, it is now up to the Holt government to implement it. 

A recent study by the BC government found that the increase in business expenses would be just 0.21 percent. On the other hand, studies have found that paid sick days would lead to: 

• Better recruitment and retention,
• Improved productivity due to fewer workers pushing through illness, and
• Stronger public health outcomes and overall more profitable economic conditions.