COVID-19 watch: Ontario passes emergency legislation to give workers protected leave

A skeleton crew of MPPs from all parties gave their unanimous consent to pass legislation aimed at stopping workers from losing their jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic, making Ontario the first jurisdiction to do so.

"No one, I repeat no one, should have to worry about losing their job because they’re putting their own health first, or because they’re putting their family first," said Premier Doug Ford, describing the legislation in a ministerial statement. "And that’s exactly what this legislation would do."

The bill gives protected leave to workers who can't work during the COVID-19 crisis, either because they are following public health guidance to self-isolate or self-quarantine because they are sick or have been affected by travel restrictions, or because they are caring for someone — a family member who is ill or a child whose school or daycare has been ordered to shut down.

The workers would be able to access leave without a doctor's note — something the opposition parties have been asking the government to make permanent.

The measures are retroactive to January 25, the day of Ontario's first positive COVID-19 test.

Another bill, also passed with unanimous consent, allows municipalities to hold council meetings remotely during the pandemic.

The mechanics of the emergency sitting had been established in advanced — the parties agreed they would give unanimous consent to both bills and on how many members to send, allowing them to sit far enough apart from one another to promote social distancing. There were 26 MPPs — 13 government members to 12 opposition including eight NDPers, two Liberals, the lone Green and independent MPP Jim Wilson, plus Speaker Ted Arnott.

The partisanship was kept to a bare minimum — legislators gave members of other parties standing ovations and there were no shouted heckles.

Deviating from his prepared statement, Ford described the legislation as a collective effort. "Mr. Speaker, this isn’t about coming from the blue party, the red party, the orange party or the green party; this is about coming together as a united group, representing all the people of Ontario and doing what’s best to make sure we protect their health and to make sure we protect the economy," he said.

Labour Minister Monte McNaughton introduced the bill — he explained its purpose, but also spoke to the wider context of what it is needed.

"I was raised, Mr. Speaker, in a home where we were taught to speak directly to issues. And the issue here, when you boil it right down, is fear," he said. "We’re in a very scary situation. There is so much that is unknown. People wonder, how is the COVID-19 global pandemic going to impact our community, our economy — my family? Am I going to have a job when this is over? Is my business going to survive? Mr. Speaker, the hard truth right now is this: We don’t have all the answers to all of the questions."

He said the government would continue to be "guided by science and our strong desire to do the right thing for the people."

Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath said the bill should only be a first step — while she said it gives people important protections, more should be done.

"Ontarians need the government to step up and provide them with direct financial support, because while people are relieved by the measures we are considering here today — they’re good measures; that’s why we’re going to be supporting them — and of course they are pleased with the federal government’s support package, they’re also telling us loud and clear that, in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic and in the incredible instability that they are already facing, these measures must be the first step, not the only step," she said.

That was echoed by Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, who said free child care for essential workers should be one of the next steps the government takes. Earlier in the day, Ford had said that is one of the many options "on the table," as essential workers rely on friends and family now, as schools and daycares are closed.

Schreiner spoke to the collegiality in the house.

"Speaker, we have a moral obligation to care for our fellow Ontarians, to show love and compassion for each other," he said. "That extends to members of this House. As someone tweeted to me earlier this week, with the hashtag #QuarantinePartisanship, and I agree, government has an essential role to play in getting us through this crisis. People want us to work together, because it is the only way we will get through it."

Liberal John Fraser had a similar message and said his party is willing to help.

"A couple weeks ago, I stood in this Legislature and I said that we’re a family," he said. "Like all families, we have differences and, like all families, we must put our differences aside to focus on what matters most right now. I very much appreciate the government’s focus on the important task at hand and understanding that we all need to work together."

The House will be adjourned until March 25, when the government is expected to present a fiscal and economic update, or a "mini-budget," as the budget has been indefinitely delayed.