On January 12, 2021, the Ontario government announced a second State of Emergency and instituted a stay-at-home policy. A growing chorus of advocates, experts, and workers responded by pointing out a glaring omission: the Ford Conservatives failed to institute paid sick days for all workers.

With workplace transmissions making up a bulk of the rise in COVID-19 cases, a growing consensus is saying that workers – primarily low-wage, front-line workers – are less likely to stay home when sick if they aren’t ensured an income to pay for groceries, rent, and other essentials.

Workers needed paid sick days before this crisis. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, paid sick days are more necessary than ever.