The B.C. government getting close to $2 billion in the latest federal aid package for provinces, including help for paid sick leave in the COVID-19 pandemic, Premier John Horgan says.

After a lengthy conference call with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other premiers July 16, Horgan congratulated Trudeau for putting $1.1 billion toward paid leave across the country B次元官网网址渢o make sure that people donB次元官网网址檛 go to work sick.B次元官网网址�

Horgan, Yukon Premier Sandy Silver and Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister spearheaded the effort to extend sick pay to people who donB次元官网网址檛 have it from their employers. Details on whether the program will be delivered via the Employment Insurance or another method are still to be worked out, but it will be B次元官网网址渘ationally funded and nationally coordinated,B次元官网网址� Horgan said.

He credited provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry for making infection control in workplaces a central part of the provinceB次元官网网址檚 relaxing of pandemic controls.

B次元官网网址淒r. Henry made it pretty clear to me early on in the pandemic that the biggest challenge we had in the restart was making sure that people didnB次元官网网址檛 go to work when they had potential symptoms that could lead to transmission to other workers or customers in the economy,B次元官网网址� Horgan said.

The latest federal aid includes 50-50 shared support with B.C. on keeping transit operating and helping municipalities with their costs.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 an increase in funding for mental health issues,B次元官网网址� Horgan said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 an increase in funding for child care. ThereB次元官网网址檚 an increase in funding for vulnerable populations, those with disabilities, and more to come in that regard.B次元官网网址�

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