Ontario Government Supporting Frontline Heroes with Extra Pandemic Pay

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Ontario Government Supporting Frontline Heroes of  COVID-19 with Extra Pandemic Pay

 April 25, 2020

 Oakville North-Burlington – MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos today announced that the Ontario Government will give frontline staff fighting the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic payment to recognize their dedication, long hours and increased risk at work. These frontline workers are often putting themselves or their loved ones at risk to help save lives and we owe them an incredible debt of gratitude.

Frontline workers are delivering critical services that support all Ontarians, including the most vulnerable members of our communities. This increase will provide four dollars per hour worked on top of existing hourly wages, regardless of the qualified employee’s hourly wage. In addition, employees working over 100 hours per month would receive lump sum payments of $250 per month for each of the next four months. This means that eligible employees working an average of 40 hours per week would receive $3,560 in additional compensation. In total, over 350,000 employees will qualify for the pandemic pay. 

Those eligible to receive the payment will be staff working in long-term care homes, retirement homes, emergency shelters, supportive housing, social services congregate care settings, corrections institutions and youth justice facilities, as well as those providing home and community care and some staff in hospitals. 

These measures build on steps the government has already taken to support frontline workers, including providing free emergency child care and securing necessary medical equipment and supplies. The Ontario government remains committed to using every resource it has to support frontline workers as we work to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The Ontario government remains committed to using every resource it has to support frontline workers as we work to stop the spread of COVID-19. Our government’s priority is the health and safety of all Ontarians, and we are singularly focused on our response to the COVID-19 outbreak

Quotes from Effie Triantafilopoulos MPP:

“Our frontline staff fighting the COVID-19 pandemic represent the best of Ontario and the Ontario Spirit.

They are putting themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe and healthy – and to save lives.”

“As Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Long-Term Care, I know that hard work that nurses, personal support workers and all other staff do in our long-term care homes. I am pleased that they will receive a pandemic payment to recognize their long hours, dedication and risk during this crisis.”

 

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