Indeed, omicron is real, but so is the necessity of getting our economy going and getting inflation under control.
I'm going to turn to the second concern that came out of the Senate yesterday, hoping that you will be able to address it, very frankly, more directly, more completely and more specifically.
The other portion of the bill where I understand we could see some movement is in proposed subsection 239(1.6). It reads:
The employer may, in writing and no later than 15 days after the return to work of an employee who has taken medical leave of absence with pay, require the employee to provide a certificate issued by a health care practitioner certifying that the employee was incapable of working for the period of their medical leave of absence with pay.
What we're hearing is that you, the government, again might get rid of this portion entirely. One trend we have certainly heard from many stakeholders we've talked to is that they strongly support leaving this portion in the bill and would in fact have a lot of concerns without a medical certificate. Employers would have no recourse if an employee might be using days when they're not sick.
Before you move on this portion of the bill, I think we need to have a very serious discussion about this, because, in fact, the support of the official opposition might rest on your decision with this. I'm going to ask you again, please, in regard to proposed subsection 239(1.6), where the government is at in terms of requiring a sick note either upon illness or upon return to work.