Time has run out for paid-sick-leave legislation, Green MLA complains
Report ready since February, minister says timeline for release isn’t up to him
The Higgs government is being accused of running out the clock on any discussion of adopting paid-sick-leave legislation for New Brunswick workers.
With the legislature set to adjourn June 7 for the last time before a fall provincial election, Labour Minister Greg Turner has not yet tabled a much-anticipated report on the idea.
The report has been ready for at least three months, and Green MLA Megan Mitton says the delay means it's no longer possible for a bill on paid sick leave to become law before the election.
"Disappointingly, no," she said.
"They've dropped the ball on this and made it clear they don't care to stand up for workers' rights and don't care to bring in paid sick days like we've been urging them to."
Turner struggled to explain to reporters on Friday why he hasn't been able to release his own department's report yet, attributing the delay to "the schedule" but reaffirming his vow to get it out before the legislative session ends.
Labour Minister Greg Turner said the delay was due to planning. (CBC)
"The planners schedule things, but I know it's on the agenda, let's say, for sure, for next week, and hopefully it's before the end of the week so we can scrutinize it," he said.
"That would be the hope."
Green Leader David Coon introduced legislation in December 2022 that would provide sick workers with up to 10 days of paid leave.
The bill also included a provision to help employers with the cost.
The province had a record number of flu hospitalizations at the time and was also grappling at the time with soaring rates of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
Coon argued the paid leave would make it easier for workers to stay home, decreasing their chances of infecting others.
His bill was sent to the legislature's law amendments committee, which decided not to advance it but to instead ask the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour to hold consultations and prepare a report.
The department's deputy minister Dan Mills told Mitton at a public accounts committee meeting on Feb. 22 that that work was finished.
"We're prepared to report back to Law Amendments whenever they're ready to have us," Mills said.
More than three months later, the report still isn't public, with only four sitting days of the legislative session remaining.
"It's just in the timing and in parliamentary procedure. Things are scheduled. It'll come out next week," Turner said.
"I don't always get to make those choices but I look forward to presenting it, that's for sure."
Mitton said it was strange that Turner could not decide for himself when his report would be out.
"Who's in charge, then, if the minister of PETL isn't in charge of his own recommendations, his own report?"
Turner told reporters the government must "balance" the concerns of workers and their employers but refused to elaborate until the report is out.
Dan Mills, deputy minister of labour, told legislators at a committee in February that work was finished on the bill. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
Mills told the committee in February the department had received "a variety of feedback" from stakeholders, who advocated a range of options including the status quo and a combination of various paid and unpaid leave options.
Depending on what day the report is released next week, opposition parties may have little or no time left to ask questions about it in the legislature.
"What is in it that they don't want us to see until the very last day that we're sitting here?" Mitton asked.
"I still can't believe that we've gone a pandemic and the government hasn't learned anything about public health measures. This should be a right, that people have paid sick days."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
They predicted a 2.8% gdp growth and we had 1.7%…
As per Statscan “ From March 2023 to March 2024, employment has grown at a faster rate in the public sector (+4.8%; +202,000) than in the private sector (+1.1%; +141,000).”
The number of employees in the private sector vastly exceeds that in the public sector. But we'll not mention that. Shhhh ;)
Reply to Bill Watson
I expect that 90% of sick days will be eliminated.
Reply to Joe Zilch
Reply to Bob Leeson
“ Prior to the 2011-12 school year, Ontario teachers could bank their unused sick leave and then cash them out as a bonus upon retirement. These banked days added up (to $47,000, to be exact). This was no small expense to the taxpayer and a significant benefit for retiring teachers. So the Dalton McGuinty government ended the ability to bank sick days, in favour of a set number of days that could be taken each year on a “use it or lose it” basis.
Now, five years down the road, the AG reports that at more than 50 school boards across the province, average sick days taken has increased 29 per cent, from nine to 11.6 days per staff member.
Reply to Joe Zilch
"Human-caused wildfires are on the decline"
Well lightning did not cause this forest fire that began 200 yards from my camp last year
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/wild-fire-kars-belleisle-1.6863445
I was also the last caller yesterday
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-38-maritime-noon/clip/16071418-environmental-chemist-cora-young-york-university-comments-recent
Reply to Bill Watson
I climbed a few mountains. I wasn't sick and it took me 3 days to reach the summit of my first (mount Halcon). No way could I do it 3 times in one day, even when I was 22 years old, but obviously I wasn't quite as fit as yourself today. Nice to be young again! Any advice on training?
Reply to Bill Watson
Huh? How can a person run up a mountain unless it's a hill with a gentle slope? No climbing gear? Superman? Lol
Reply to Bob Leeson
It's 2,300 vertical feet over 1.6 miles; essentially up a blue ski run. I then ride the chair down, then do it again, ride the chair down, then do it a third time. It takes me about 35 minutes each run.
Reply to Bob Leeson
Reply to Bill Watson
Assuming you are telling the truth…that’s fantastic……congratulations!
Reply to Luc Newsome
Reply to Bill Watson
That must be the ski run you own.
Reply to MR Cain
Why?
Reply to Bill Watson
I'm Back
Reply to MR Cain
I made a point of not coughing or sneezing into the months of co-workers.
Reply to David Amos
Good to know, but I've finished my 6-pack and now I have a craving for a large blizzard.
Reply to Bill Watson
Perhaps we should talk sometime
Reply to David Amos
Why is that?
Reply to Bill Watson
By the way I go downhill on my mountain bike, I'm likely to not reach 67 years old. Haha
But seriously, I have been hospitalized a few times for a short time due to some mishaps, including a silly "after" climbing accident going up a 150 foot cliff when I was 17 years old. It was pretty serious, and had to be rushed out due to loss of blood.
Reply to Bob Leeson.
Sorry to hear about your serious mishaps. I also do some pretty narly mountain biking; and I've ended up in emergency 3 times in recent years, once to get a bunch of hardware installed in me. My fellow seniors just shake their heads when I head out mountain biking, skiing avalanche chutes and sky diving.
Reply to Bill Watson
My middle name is Raymond
Reply to David Amos
But hey let’s not quibble on numbers….my point is it’s a choice. And employees have the power with all the amount of jobs available
Reply to Luc Newsome
Reply to Luc Newsome
Bob de trelleg
I believe that all employees of government, including MLA’s are entitled to paid sick leave.
MR Cain
Reply to Bob de trelleg
Depending on the contract, but 10 to 15 days is typical. It used to be sick days could be accumulated, but most contracts have lost that benefit. Reputable private firms have similar benefits.
David Amos
Reply to Bob de trelleg
Who cares?
John Charlton
I am pretty sure the clock is about to run out on Premier Higgs.
David Amos.
Content Deactivated
Reply to John Charlton
Dream on
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to John Charlton
Interesting that folks can't say that about the other party leaders and their minions
David Amos
Reply to John Charlton
It appears that I have been dancing on the 3rd rail again EH?
Reply to Bob Leeson
Reply to Bob Leeson
I had an opportunity to start my own firm in Canada that I couldn't pass up though, plus I had the capital, so I left a few years later and here I am still!
Reply to Bob Leeson
Lou Bell
More legislation to enable abuse of the system and protect those who abuse it . If this legislation is of any value at all it certainly would have to be a lot better than what we have for our public employees now . Abuse of sick leave runs rampant and it's basically an extra 10 days holidays added on to the other 4 to 6 weeks , or in the case of teachers , 3 months . Most private employers haven't the money to pay for a system that rewards bad employees with an extra 10 days holidays under the guise of " sick leave " .
Bob de trelleg
Reply to Lou Bell
Which private sector employees get four to six weeks of paid vacation?
Bob Leeson
Reply to Lou Bell
In my province we employers fire bad employees. You guys could try that approach?
Dan Lee
Reply to Bob Leeson
we offer you free travel and 2 jobs here with double the pay....
MR Cain
Reply to Bob de trelleg
There are many white collar jobs that offer many benefits, plenty of time off, bonuses, health insurance. Mom and pop businesses of course can't afford it. Many big corporations work on performance pay; give you a job with some timelines to meet, and they don't care if it takes you 2 hours or 20 hours. Work is changing.
Graham McCormack
Reply to Lou Bell
Once again you show little understanding of the system.
David Amos
Reply to Graham McCormack
Par for the course
Bob de trelleg
Probably some people would take advantage of sick leave or game the system. I understand that there is a current member of cabinet and her buddy who did just that. Dare I mention the Tourism Department?
Lou Bell
Reply to Bob de trelleg
No , tell us who abused the system with sick leave . Or is it just " fake news " ?
Lou Bell
Content Deactivated
Reply to Lou Bell
Bob de trelleg
Reply to Lou Bell
Actually referring to our present Minister of Tourism and her deputy’s recent jaunt to Europe.
Dan Lee
Reply to Bob de trelleg
you even get to bring your spouse.........
MR Cain
Reply to Bob de trelleg
There are always some, but you deal with that when the time comes.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Dan Lee
Are you jealous?
David Amos
Reply to Dan Lee
Oh My MY
Graham McCormack
Reply to Lou Bell
Do you know if people do or don't abuse the system. Just earlier you said they did.
Ralph Steinberg
"The report has been ready for at least three months, "
That alone tells you the whole story. Higgs is a failure for the majority of the voters in the Province. Get out and vote.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Ralph Steinberg
Spin much?
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Steinberg
Flag much?
Lou Bell
This would be one way legislation that already happens in government . There's no protection for the employer , or those who need to cover for the lost days of those who would take full advantage of all 10 days solely as holidays . In fact , many/ most businesses have ended paid sick leave solely for the abuse of the system by employees . They may as well just call it a mandatory legislation af an additional 10 days of vacation . Ms. Mitton and the Greens show they have no care for small business in NB .
Ralph Steinberg
Reply to Lou Bell
Where is your data to back up your claim of businesses ended sick paid leave, because of what you claim?
Lou Bell
Reply to Ralph Steinberg
No , I actually had some employees who abused the system Liberally . There was no protection in any way for the employer , the system protected bad employees . These days it's impossible to rid ones' business of them . Much like bad tenant .
Bob de trelleg
Reply to Lou Bell
I think that you have a very negative view of folks who work for other folks.
Lou Bell
Reply to Bob de trelleg
Nope . In fact , most employees who were more honourable workers and who had to cover for those employees were as upset at their abuse of the system as I was . Totally unfair to everyone . You need to ask questions of those in our public workforce . Abuse of sick leave runs tampant !
Bob de trelleg.
Reply to Lou Bell
Other than personal anecdotes, do you have evidence of this?
Graham McCormack
Reply to Bob de trelleg
She never does.
David Amos
Reply to Ralph Steinberg
What is data?
William Morton
"Turner struggled to explain to reporters on Friday why he hasn't been able to release his own department's report yet, attributing the delay to "the schedule"...."
So Mr. Higgs official nickname is "the schedule"?
Is a Minister of a department not in charge of their department?
Is there no member of the PC party who knows how a government works?
MR Cain
Reply to William Morton
They know who the boss is.
David Amos
Reply to William Morton
I suspect that those were rhetorical questions
However I will answer all 3 with one word
Nope
Don Corey
They’d be wise to just scrap the ridiculous idea of providing private sector workers with 10 paid sick days a year. For most, it would simply amount to 10 floaters a year = great deal.
But, for employers, it translates into an added payroll cost of a whopping 4%! That’s a huge extra and unnecessary burden to employers and/or taxpayers, and with a very poor return.
Glenn O'Halloran
Reply to Don Corey
And then there are those who need such a thing. You're all heart.
Sylvester Pheelyne
Reply to Don Corey
Sounds like you are projecting.
Les Cooper
Reply to Glenn O'Halloran
Or do they? Can't run a business with sickly employees.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to Don Corey
What's the burden to employers and taxpayers of people coming to work with contagious respiratory diseases because they can't afford to stay home?
Bob de trelleg
Reply to Don Corey
Obviously, all workers are devious shirkers looking for any opportunity to rip-off their employers. I think all employees should report for work regardless of how sick they may be. I really look back fondly on the early days of the Industrial Revolution - right Mr. Boss.
Lou Bell
Reply to Don Corey
It would alson add to the work of their fellow workers . They are the people who have to cover for the negligence of their fellow workers . And there's not a thing the employer can do to rid themselves of the abusers . Labour laws these days are made to protect the guilty .
Lou Bell
Reply to SarahRose Werner
What's the burden on the fellow employees and the supervisors stress who have to compensate for the work not being done by those who are abusing the system ? These are the people who need to cover for them . For anyone who worked in the private sector abuse of sick leave ran rampant . In fact it was so bad , most had to drop paid sick leave . Now the greens want to make it mandatory .
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
Well put
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
Then there is all the work that did not get done
Doug kirby
Was never going to be voted on anyway...higgs will never sign off at that period
Lou Bell
Reply to Doug kirby
Most private businesses no longer offer paid sick leave due to the out of control abuse of the system . It already happens with our publicly paid employees . Mandatory sick leave = 10 extra days holidays , nothing more . And the employer has no recourse to reprimand the employee in any way for their abuse .
SarahRose Werner
Reply to Doug kirby
Let's see how many voters "sign off" Higgs this fall.
Graham McCormack
Reply to Lou Bell
Still waiting for you to provide proof of what you say. I've never worked for an employer that didn't provide sick days.
David Amos
Reply to Graham McCormack
Still waiting???
Graham McCormack
Reply to Lou Bell
You know 1 yet talk like it is all.
Lou Bell
Reply to Graham McCormack
Naw , just someone you did work for . I know of employees who never got paid sick leave
William Peters
Dragging their feet is how these conservatives think they are saving you money. They simply will not act to spend a cent they aren't obliged to, and will use that to claim fiscal responsibility. Meanwhile, inflation is filling the coffers with tax windfalls and we can't dream enough subsidies fast enough for out of province asset management businesses to come and collect rents from us. To get anything done we' ll have no choice but to vote anything but COR.
Lou Bell
Reply to William Peters
Really ? The Liberals added over 2 billion to our provincial debt in their last term and we got nothing during it . No new teachers , no new Medical workers , nothing . Just working on the " Phonie Games " . You do realize the plan was for 130 million don't you ?
Dan Lee
Reply to Lou Bell
we lost more on HIGGS firings.......maybe a election......maybe not...... trips to nowhere........and how much for royalties for his highness.....his property taxes......his you pay me for your wood program...........want me to keep going
Graham McCormack
Reply to Lou Bell
Wrong again. You may want to do a quick Google search on the amount of debt added under the last few Premiers. I'll give you a hint, Alward added the most.
David Amos
Reply to Graham McCormack
And who was his Finance Minister?
From: Viafoura Support <supportcase@viafoura.com>
Date: Tue, Jun 23, 2020 at 2:53 PM
Subject: RE: Re Your research about tickets in NB and the CBC coverup continues BIGTIME No thanks to Darrow MacIntyre et al [ ref:_00D301Gl4c._5003p2PfLpr:ref ]
To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
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