On Saturday, April 25th the Ontario Government announced its intention to issue Pandemic Pay in the period from April 24th to August 12th for some workers in some workplaces. The program is to be financed through a combination of provincial and federal monies.

TORONTO, ON – A wage increase for some Ontario health care and social service staff is belated recognition by the provincial government of the immense contribution and sacrifice this mostly female workforce is making in the fight against COVID-19, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) said today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Proper respiratory protection is essential to creating a safe working environment. COVID-19 can be highly infectious, and CUPE strongly recommends that personal protective equipment (PPE) precautions be implemented. The specific PPE needed, including masks and respirators, will vary based on the risks of a given task or workplace.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) exists to create a barrier between you and a patient/resident/client to prevent the spread of a contaminant such as the virus that causes COVID-19 to either you or the patient. It exists to help protect your skin, airways, mucous membranes, and/or clothing. This factsheet summarizes the use and care of gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection. Refer also to the training materials relevant to your job, sector, or workplace.

Workers Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and COVID-19

Ontario health care workers aren’t receiving the personal protective equipment (PPE), training, and frank communication from the provincial government that they need to safely care for COVID-19 patients.

TORONTO, ON – On Saturday, after Ontario Minister of Health Christine Elliot announced that personal protective equipment (PPE) it was readily available, 87 per cent of health care staff polled by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) reported that they do not have access to the PPE they need to deal with COVID-19 patients.