OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to announce today cost-sharing agreements with a number of provinces to top up the wages of essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Those agreements are expected to involve a transfer of federal funds to the provinces, each of which will be able to decide for itself which essential workers most need a pay boost.
The flexible agreements are intended to allow provinces to tailor the program to suit their different needs.
However, it was the continuing tragedy in long-term care homes — residents of which account for more than 60 per cent of Canada’s some 4,200 deaths so far — that first prompted Trudeau several weeks ago to offer a federal assistance to boost wages.
Specifically, he proposed a pay boost for personal support workers and other front-line health workers in long-term care facilities who earn less than $2,500 per month.
The crisis in long-term care has been blamed, at least in part, on the fact that health and personal care workers in those facilities are typically poorly paid and have had to work in multiple homes to make ends meet, thereby spreading the deadly virus that causes COVID-19 among the most vulnerable population.
Part of the objective in proposing a federal wage top-up was to encourage more essential workers to stay on job, even at the risk of their own lives, and to compensate them for recent orders in some provinces banning them from working in multiple facilities.
As more workers in long-term care homes have fallen ill, many facilities have been struggling to provide basic care for residents. Both Quebec and Ontario, where the problem is most acute, have requested help from the military.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and government House leader Pablo Rodriguez are to hold a briefing this morning, updating the number of armed forces personnel who are now helping out in long-term care homes in the two provinces.
Quebec moved to top up essential workers’ pay even before Trudeau’s offer, announcing a $4-per-hour pay hike for workers in private long-term care homes, as well as a $24.28 per hour salary to attract new workers to fill in as attendants at the facilities.
Since then, several provinces, including Ontario, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, have followed suit with similar programs. Federal cost-sharing agreements with those and other provinces are expected to be unveiled today.
Ontario, with financial support from Ottawa, has announced a $4-per-hour increase for front-line workers at long-term care homes, retirement homes, emergency shelters, supportive housing, group homes, correctional institutions and youth justice facilities, as well as for those providing home and community care and some hospital staff.
As well, Ontario’s front-line employees who work more than 100 hours a month will receive bonus payments of $250 per month for four months.
Saskatchewan, with $53 million in federal support, has announced a temporary wage supplement of $400 per month for those who work with seniors, in group homes and in child care.
I thought people who work in restaurants and grocery were essential workers. The frontline workers are the health care workers. I am glad they are getting the help with salaries. We should get some help as well. We are cooking for people, letting them in the restaurant to pay and giving them their food. This is putting us , our coworkers and families at risk as well. This really suck. I go to work 5 days a week for people who cant stay home and cook for themselves and stay home. But according to the government it’s ok.
Andy Duplassie dude…out of the 13 cases we have in the ‘algoma region’ all but one has recovered and none were serious…and that is algoma region..not just sault ste marie..so pretty sure your family is safe..but if your that worried about it maybe the resturant shoudnt be letting ppl into the building and have a curbside only pick up or delivery like most are doing to prevent the risk of exposure.
Aaron Morin are you aware that there are 3 more cases introduced yesterday?
Aaron Morin In a nursing home that has been shut down since day one! she has every right to be concerned!
Robert Nevitt serious..or like the others at home quarantined
Susan Dennie and I dont know what your talking about…I dont see anything in this convo about a nursing home
Robert Nevitt and no I just checked the algoma health site now and noticed 3 more cases tested positive…my comment still stands about restaurant curbside pickup or delivery if staff is worried about exposure due to ppl entering store to get food
Aaron Morin do just a wee bit of research on your own here… like any of the multiple news sources or directly on APH’s website.
After you’ve done that. Please just delete you comment to admire you may have made a mistake
Aaron Morin why in the hell are you comparing those who are elbow deep in the bodily fluids of someone with confirmed cases of this virus to some who stands little risk if taking precautions just because they deal with the public?
Aaron Morin http://www.algomapublichealth.com/news/long-term-care-home-covid-19-outbreak-declared-at-extendicare-maple-view/
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