Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo charges B.C.'s NDP government has "misled" employers over its new sick pay program.
Kyllo says unclear parameters could leave businesses on the hook for up to 10 paid sick leave days per employee for 2022 – twice what was originally outlined.
"It's concerning the NDP misled employers about the parameters of its sick pay program," the B.C. Liberal labour critic said in a press release.
"We fully support paid sick leave, but this aspect has unfairly caught businesses by surprise."
The Labour Ministry originally earmarked $325 million for a government-funded sick pay program, but paid out just over $10.5 million in temporary sick leave reimbursements as of Jan. 16, Kyllo claims.
Kyllo says government should pay for the program itself "and keep the costs off the backs of businesses while we remain in the pandemic."
"We are asking Minister (Harry) Bains and the NDP government to use the full $325 million allotment to continue government-funded sick pay and keep the premier’s promise not to download the cost of sick pay onto employers until the burdens of the pandemic are over."
He said small businesses are shocked and frustrated.
"Businesses were promised a smooth and open transition from government-funded to employer-funded sick pay, but these decisions have instead been made behind closed doors with no public consultation, with employers unexpectedly facing a potential doubling of costs related to the program."
A recent Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses study found 86 per cent of small businesses were unaware of their obligation to potentially pay for 10 days of sick leave, and nine out of 10 are unhappy with "adding new costs at a time when businesses can least afford it," said Kyllo.
"No worker should have to choose between missing a paycheque or being forced to go to work sick," added Todd Stone, critic for jobs, economic recovery, and innovation.
"This could be the last nail in the coffin for hundreds of businesses that are hanging by a thread."
He said the NDP should continue to cover the cost of sick pay for now – "as they did up until Jan. 1, 2022, so that we don't push these costs onto businesses until they are ready to take them on."
