April 13th, 2021

Taylor: Ford Conservatives refuse to support mental health of frontline workers

QUEEN’S PARK — The Ford government has once again refused to support essential workers — this time by defeating a bill that would have provided workers better access to mental health benefits, says Hamilton Mountain MPP Monique Taylor.

“Essential workers across the province have been on the frontlines. They continue to work to provide health care, groceries, education, emergency services and long-term care to help others make it through this pandemic. Many have seen terrible things, and many more have worked while stiff with fear about being exposed to this deadly virus. These workers supported us all throughout the pandemic, and it is shameful that Ford refuses to support them back by providing the mental health care they may need as a result of their work as frontline heroes,” said Taylor.

“By voting against presumptive mental health benefits, Ford has yet again demonstrated his contempt for essential workers and his indifference towards their sacrifices over the past year. It is particularly shameful that, after the outbreaks in several Hamilton nursing and retirement homes, Flamborough—Glanbrook MPP Donna Skelly voted against providing these workers better access to mental health support.”

The bill, Access to Mental Health Support for Essential Workers Act, would have provided the essential workers identified in government emergency orders presumptive coverage for mental health benefits through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).