Thread by @TorontoStar

The site of Toronto’s largest workplace outbreak does not provide workers with paid sick days — a protection the city’s medical officer has called “critical” to slow the spread of COVID-19.

thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…

Some 94 workers at North York food processor Belmont Meats have tested positive for the virus; 12 of those cases are linked to the extra-contagious B.1.1.7 variant.

thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…

Toronto Public Health began publishing a list of all active workplace outbreaks last week. The four largest outbreaks are at food manufacturers.

At least two of those, Maple Leaf and Belmont Meats do not offer paid sick leave, unions confirmed. thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…

Despite pressure from many experts, Ontario has resisted implementing legislation for paid sick days, saying that it would be a "waste of taxpayer's money" and duplicates a temporary federal sickness benefit available to self-isolating workers.
thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…

Workers at Belmont and Maple Leaf Foods, do have short-term illness benefits. Maple Leaf Foods is also providing salary top-ups to employees who must self-isolate and rely on the federal sickness benefit.
thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…

For #InTheirOwnVoices, Dr. @iPreetBrar writes about how the federal Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit isn't the same as paid sick leave. "That option is inaccessible for many," she says. Here’s the difference between the two, she writes:

#Opinion
thestar.com/opinion/contri…

A January report by Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s medical officer of health, noted that the federal measure falls short because it does not provide immediate access to time off at no loss of income.

Story by @SaraMojtehedz and @Mariasarrouh thestar.com/news/gta/2021/…