In one bill, Liberals push sick leave and crack down on health-care worker harassment

OTTAWA — The federal Liberals have introduced a two-for-one piece of legislation that would provide sick leave to some workers, and bring the law down on anyone harassing health-care employees.

The bill would provide 10 days of paid sick leave to federally regulated workers, a contingent that makes up a small percentage of the overall Canadian workforce.

Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan says the sick leave plugs a hole in the country’s social safety net that the pandemic exposed.

At the same time, the legislation would create two new offences in the Criminal Code for anyone threatening a health-care worker, those who assist them, and anyone trying to access health services.