Doug Ford and local PC MPPs block paid sick days for Brampton workers

QUEEN’S PARK — The Ford government and Brampton PC MPPs voted down an NDP motion for paid sick days for Brampton workers put forward by NDP Deputy Leader Sara Singh on Wednesday in the legislature.

“Workers in Brampton have been essential throughout this pandemic, and they need paid sick days,” said MPP Sara Singh (Brampton Centre). “They need the tools to stop the spread. Forcing them to go to work when they’re sick is cruel, and hurts everyone around them. It is unforgiveable that Doug Ford and his PC MPPs in Brampton would turn their backs on our community and our working families, time and time again.”

PC MPPs Amarjot Sandhu (Brampton West), Prabmeet Sarkaria (Brampton South) voted against the Stay Home If You Are Sick Act bill on March 1 and again refused to support a motion to help workers in Brampton with paid sick days Wednesday.

“Local leaders like Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, and Peel Medical Officer of Health Dr. Lawrence Loh recognize that paid sick days are a vital public health measure to keep workers safe in Brampton’s essential workplaces. But this government ignores them again and again, refusing to take action to stop this virus, keep workers safe and end the cycle of lockdowns,” said Singh.

Singh’s motion called for paid sick days specifically for Brampton workers.

“Workers in Brampton are our heroes who have served their community without fail during this crisis. It’s time they were treated like heroes by this government, instead of being ignored,” said Singh.