As small business owners, we are exhausted from trying to keep our businesses afloat through this pandemic. The refusal of the provincial government to do their part to keep Ontarians safe is actively worsening our struggle and hurting our communities.

We provide paid sick leave for our employees because we know it is good for the health of the community and good for our local economies. The Minister of Labour has said his government is choosing not to legislate paid sick days because of concern about the burden on small business. The burden to us is not in providing paid sick leave, but the fact that large companies reaping huge profits do not.

We need clear and meaningful action on paid sick leave from the provincial government now. Legislated, employer-provided sick leave is the only way to keep Ontarians safe and it’s the only way to level the playing field for small businesses. If this government wants to help small businesses survive, it will follow our lead and legislate paid sick leave so we can end this pandemic.

The Better Way Alliance is a growing movement of businesses supporting decent wages, paid sick days, and fair scheduling laws. Our members employ more than 30,000 Ontarians. Industries represented include services, retail, food and beverage, and manufacturing. 

source: media release, Better Way Alliance