Nova Scotia extending paid sick-leave program until May 7

Nova Scotia has announced an extension to its temporarypaid sick-leave benefits, 11 days after the program expired.

The program provides people up to four paid sick days to deal with issues related toCOVID-19 if they missless than half of their scheduled work week.

Last week, the province's labour minister said there were no plans to restart the program, despite rising cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia. A day later, Premier Tim Houston said the government was looking at what to do with the program.

The province said Monday the program wouldnow be extended until May 7, which is the same day the federal Canada recovery sickness benefit is due to end. Nova Scotia's program complements the federal program, which is meant for people who have missed more than 50 per cent of their scheduled work week.

Labour Minister Jill Balsersaid the decision to extend the program was made by listening to Nova Scotians and looking at COVID-19 epidemiology.

"With COVID still being out there in communities, it's important that we're always adapting and that our programs are flexible to meet the needs of Nova Scotians right now," she said Monday.

The extension to Nova Scotia's program is backdated, so sick days beginning April 1 are eligible to claim.

NDP reaction

NDP Leader Gary Burrill commended the province for extending the program, but noted this is the third temporary program.

"What it really is bringing to light is that the time has come for us to have a permanent, paid sick-leave program as part of the LabourStandards Code in the province, so that in the same way that every employee knows they have vacation, every employee knows they have statutory holidays, they should also know that they have paid sick leave," he said.

It's unclear whether the program will be extended come May 7, or whether the province will introducea permanent, paid sick-leave program.

"We'll continue to monitor what the epidemiology is doing, what vaccination rates look like," said Balser.

Thursday's weekly report from Public Health showed a dailyaverage of about 1,000 new COVID-19 positive PCRresults.

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