(Ottawa – May 27, 2020) The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) joins with Canada’s unions in applauding the announcement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that his government is working with the provinces to ensure ten days of paid sick leave for working Canadians.

“Mandated sick leave across Canada is often unpaid, leaving many workers with the choice between coming to work sick, or losing pay,” says CAUT Executive Director David Robinson. “In the post-secondary education sector, this meant the most vulnerable workers on campus were left in this position. This announcement is a welcome relief for all such workers.” 

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted social issues like lack of sick leave, and has forced some workers to lose pay or even their jobs if they were required to stay home and self-isolate.