Quebec solidaire calls for paid vaccination breaks

With Quebec getting closer to vaccinating the general population against COVID-19, Québec solidaire is calling for all workers to be given paid, four-hour breaks to get their shots.

The proposal is inspired by the system used in elections to ensure workers have time to vote.

“During elections, employers already have the obligation to free their employees to their civic duty,” said Québec solidaire co-spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-dubois. “The same logic should apply during the vaccination campaign.”

The party is asking that this vaccination break be imposed on employers by decree or by modifying Quebec's labour standards bill.

“The government must demand that employers do their part,” Nadeau-dubois said in a statement.

Québec solidaire said public-sector workers received an email directive from their employer last week inviting them to get vaccinated on their personal time or by taking a sick day. The party denounced this approach, which it said could hinder the success of the vaccination campaign.

“Taking time off work is difficult for many Quebecers, losing part of your revenue is also particularly difficult for those who don't have job security,” Nadeau-dubois said.

“Access to the vaccines must be equal for everyone, regardless of employment, and offering a vaccine break is a step in that direction.”

Québec solidaire notes that Saskatchewan is already planning legislation to permit workers to go get vaccinated, as is the state of New York.