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Nov 26, 2021 10:17 PM - The Canadian Press

New bill proposed that would provide 10 days of paid sick leave to federally regulated workers

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The federal government is proposing a new bill that would make it illegal to intimidate health workers to the point it impedes them from doing their job. (Photo - Beatrice Bruske CLC President/Twitter)

The federal government is proposing a new bill that would make it illegal to intimidate health workers to the point it impedes them from doing their job.

The federal Liberals have introduced a bill that would provide 10 days of paid sick leave to federally regulated workers and create two new Criminal Code offences for anyone threatening health-care workers.

Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan says the sick leave plugs a hole in the social safety net that was exposed by the pandemic.

The Liberals want to see the bill pass in Parliament before M-Ps go on their holiday break in the middle of December.

Justice Minister David Lametti says the proposed change to the Criminal Code would also ban people from trying to stop anyone trying to access health services.

Protests and online threats against health workers and vaccine mandates have punctuated the pandemic, and several workers have expressed fear for their safety and the safety of their patients.

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