DO NOT INCREASE
MANDATORY EMPLOYER-PAID SICK DAYS!
I CAN’T AFFORD TO COVER INCREASED LABOUR COSTS!
84% of BC small businesses cannot afford 10 mandated employer-paid sick days.*
*Source: CFIB, Your Voice Survey – October 2022, October 6-11

5 paid sick days | 10 paid sick days | 15 paid sick days |
---|---|---|
5 employees: $8,610 | 5 employees: $17,220 | 5 employees: $25,830 |
10 employees: $17,220 | 10 employees: $34,440 | 10 employees: $51,660 |
25 employees: $34,440 | 25 employees: $68,880 | 25 employees: $103,320 |
Source: CFIB calculations based on Statistics Canada BC median wage data as of November 2022
What they said
The premier reiterated that it’s unfair to force all businesses to suddenly pay for sick days when many are suffering severe financial hardships already caused by the pandemic.
“ ... At a minimum it should be a temporary program until we find a vaccine. ”
— FORMER PREMIER JOHN HORGAN, MAY 15, 2020
What they actually meant
“ But my message to you is that every journey starts with that first step, and our first step is five days, and we can only go up from here. ”
— FORMER PREMIER JOHN HORGAN, DECEMBER 6, 2022
SIGN THE PETITION
Hon. David Eby, Premier of BC
CC: Hon. Harry Bains, Minister of Labour
CC: My Member of Parliament
BC Federation of Labour wants the government to TRIPLE the number of employer-paid sick days from 5 to 15 days. CFIB fought to have 5 days not 10. NOW unions want to INCREASE the number of days.
The cost of doing business is higher than it’s ever been. My pandemic recovery is still uncertain. Now is not the time to dump new costs on small businesses!
Don’t force my business to pay even more. I can’t afford it!
To keep payroll costs affordable and help BC businesses, I urge you:
- Do not increase the number of employer-paid sick days.
- Increase the Employment Health Tax exemption threshold.