London MPP pushing for more paid leave for sexual, domestic violence victims
Gary Ennnett | CBC News | Posted: July 21, 2017 5:36 PM | Last Updated: July 21, 2017
The NDP's Peggy Sattler says her private member's bill would provide more support
London West MPP Peggy Sattler says the Ontario government's plan to offer employees two days paid leave for domestic and sexual violence isn't nearly enough.
Bill 148, the government's proposed workplace legislation, would allow up to 10 days of personal emergency leave.
Sattler, who appeared on CBC's London Morning, said for the first time the government is acknowledging that domestic violence and sexual violence would be the among the circumstances that would allow an employee to access the leave.
However, Sattler said it's just "a baby step forward".
The need to name
"It's very important that we name domestic violence and sexual violence, that people feel comfortable acknowledging that that is a legitimate reason to take leave, so that they can deal with the trauma that they've experienced," said Sattler.
Sattler also pointed out that while the government's bill would allow up to 10 days of leave, only two of the days would be paid.
10 days versus 2
Last fall, she introduced a private member's bill that would give employees up to 10 days paid leave for domestic violence and sexual violence. It passed second reading last October with the unanimous support of all three political parties at Queen's Park.
"Providing paid leave enables that employee who's experiencing domestic violence or sexual violence to access the supports that they need without jeopardizing their employment, " said Sattler.
The MPP cited research by the Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children at Western University showing that one third of Canadian workers have experienced an incident of domestic violence.
"For more than half of those workers, the violence has followed them to the workplace, with their abuser making harassing phone calls, stalking, waiting outside the workplace. So, domestic violence has a direct impact on the workplace."
Last day for public input
Friday is the last day for the public to make written submissions on Bill 148. An email can be sent to the clerk of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. The address is erennie@ola.org