Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good morning, Mr. Minister.
Today, you are reiterating something that you mentioned in the House when the bill was introduced, which is the goal of strengthening the social safety net. That's also part of our objectives.
Giving 10 days of paid sick leave to all workers who are not entitled to it is a positive thing. I see this as one of the significant benefits that all employers should consider, because it helps attract and retain staff.
However, let me tell you that when it comes to the social safety net, we are wide of the mark. When I think of individuals with serious illnesses receiving only 15 weeks of sickness benefits under the employment insurance system, and the fact that barely 40% of workers are eligible, I can see that we have a long way to go.
My question is about the 10-day paid sick leave bank. I feel it's important that it be clearly articulated that this is a right.
I also have a few questions about the implementation of this measure. We need to make sure that after one month of service, workers will be able to use these 10 days of leave immediately, and that they will not be accumulated at the rate of one day per month.
You should also clarify what you mean by “continuous service”. Does it mean that if, during the course of a month, a worker needs to be absent for some other reason, they will not be considered to have provided continuous service?
In my opinion, you should clarify that people could take half-days of leave, while Bill C‑3 provides that the employer could require them to take a full day. To give this bill its full effect, unless it's not necessary, would you be willing to clarify provisions that would impede the accumulation of leave?