Government of Canada proposes 10 days of paid medical leave for federally-regulated employees
Killian McParland and Emily Murray
On Friday, November 26, 2021, the Liberal federal government moved to fulfill its campaign promise to provide 10 days of paid medical leave of absence (also referred to as “sick days”) for all federally-regulated employees within 100 days of being re-elected.
Bill C-3 would do so by amending the Canada Labour Code to remove the ability to use paid personal leave for illness and injury and replace it with up to 10 paid days of medical leave.
As drafted, an employee would earn one day of paid medical leave after each month of employment, up to a maximum of 10 days in a calendar year. The paid leave could be taken in one or more periods, but the employer may require that each period be taken as at least one day. Employers would be able to require a medical certificate for any medical leave with pay (but for medical leaves without pay, only where it is at least three days). Bill C-3 may change before it is passed and additional rules may follow in supporting regulations.
After introducing Bill C-3, the Minister of Labour Seamus O’Regan advised that the government will engage in consultations with federally-regulated employers and workers to better understand the impact of these changes on their workplaces and local realities.
While these legislative amendments would only impact federally-regulated employers and employees, paid medical leave remains a topical issue in the ongoing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Just two days before the federal government’s announcement, the British Columbia government announced that it would be amending its provincial employment standards legislation to provide a minimum of five days of paid sick leave per year as of January 1, 2022.
This will remain an area to watch for all Canadian employers.
This client update is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have any questions about the above, please contact a member of our Labour and Employment group.
Click here to subscribe to Stewart McKelvey Thought Leadership.
Archive
By Graham Haynes & Isaac McLellan Introduction The Canadian federal budget was unveiled on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 (“Budget 2023”)1 , and proposes significant changes to the General Anti-Avoidance Rule (the “GAAR”) in Canadian tax…
Read MoreIncluded in Discovery: Atlantic Education & the Law – Issue 12 By Scott Campbell, Jennifer Taylor, Folu Adesanya A long-standing dispute over governance practices at the Cape Breton University Board of Governors was recently resolved…
Read MoreIncluded in Discovery: Atlantic Education & the Law – Issue 12 By Jon O’Kane & Emma Douglas These days it seems no one is immune from the threat of anonymous keyboard warriors posting untrue and…
Read MoreIncluded in Discovery: Atlantic Education & the Law – Issue 12 By Dante Manna[1] Once known for recreational use, psychedelics are slowly gaining medical legitimacy as research emerges on possible therapeutic benefits for mental health…
Read MoreWe are pleased to present the twelfth issue of Discovery, Stewart McKelvey’s legal publication targeted to educational institutions in Atlantic Canada. Our lawyers provide insight on a number of topics facing universities and colleges including…
Read MoreBy Kyle S. Hartlen, Gavin Stuttard, and Colton Smith What is the Innovation Equity Tax Credit? The Nova Scotia Innovation Equity Tax Credit (“IETC“) is a non-refundable personal and corporate income credit intended to encourage…
Read MoreBy Deanne MacLeod, K.C., Burtley G. Francis and David F. Slipp In June 2022, Canada’s federal government enacted a number of changes to the Competition Act (the “Act”) as the first step in a comprehensive…
Read MoreThis article was updated on April 19, 2023. By Mark Tector and Ben Currie On April 12, 2023 Bill 256: Patient Access to Care Act received Royal Assent. Schedule B of the Bill is the…
Read MoreThis Thought Leadership article is a follow-up to our January 2023 article on the introduction of the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act. By Brendan Sheridan On January 1, 2023, the…
Read MoreBy Kevin Landry and Jahvon Delaney Background On March 25, 2023, the Government of Canada released a Notice of Intent titled Consultation on potential amendments to the Cannabis Regulations. The Notice outlines that Health Canada is…
Read More