NO MANDATORY EMPLOYER-PAID SICK DAYS!

I can’t afford to cover increased labour costs!

Hospital icon 84% of Manitoba’s small businesses can’t afford to take on new costs to pay for a mandatory employer-paid sick days program*.

Potential costs associated with paid sick days for MB employers**:
3 paid sick days 5 paid sick days 10 paid sick days
5 employees: $3,248 5 employees: $5,414 5 employees: $7,914
10 employees: $6,496 10 employees: $10,827 10 employees: $15,827
20 employees: $12,993 20 employees: $21,665 20 employees: $31,655
This kind of policy would force me to raise prices for customers, and it risks creating tension between staff and employers.


— Small business owner in Manitoba

* Source: CFIB 2024 August Members Survey

** Source: Statistics Canada, all calculations based on 2023 Manitoba median wage.

Hon. Malaya Marcelino, Minister of Labour and Immigration

CC: Hon. Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba

Our government remains focused on supporting Manitoba businesses, strengthening our economy, and are grateful for the partnership of organizations like CFIB

— Premier Wab Kinew, in a letter to CFIB

If your government is truly committed to supporting Manitoba businesses, the most immediate and effective step is simple: stop adding new costs for small firms.

I’ve worked hard to build my business, but it’s getting harder and harder to stay afloat. Between labour shortages, soaring payroll costs, and rising prices, the pressure is overwhelming.

Without relief, I worry how much longer I can keep my doors open.

  • I urge you not to implement mandatory employer-paid sick days — small businesses simply can’t afford it.
CFIB logo

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings.