On December 7, 2021, the Government of Ontario extended the COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit and the temporary amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000, which provided for the infectious disease emergency leave (IDEL) provisions. These initiatives were set to expire at the end of December 2021. The COVIDIDE-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit program and the IDEL will now extend until July 31, 2022, and July 30, 2022, respectively.

With the increased number of COVID-19 cases, the province is providing these extensions to respond to the needs of both workers and employers.

COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit Program

The Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit program took effect on April 29, 2021. This program entitles eligible employees to as many as three days of paid IDEL. As we have previously reported, employees can use this leave for reasons related to COVID-19, including:

• COVID-19 testing;

• vaccination;

• self-isolation; and

• caring for a family member.

With the expansion of booster shot eligibility, the province stated that the paid leave days would “help more workers take time off to get their booster shots” and provide parents with the time to vaccinate their children.

Once eligible employees have been paid for their sick days, eligible employers must submit an application to the COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit program within 120 days to receive reimbursement. Employers will be reimbursed for up to $200 paid to...

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