Who is considered an essential worker in Canada?

What is an essential worker in Canada?

Essential workers are individuals who perform services that are critical to maintaining the health, safety, economic, and community well-being of the population. In Canada, the list of workers who are considered essential varies by province and territory.

List of essential services by province

The list of services and sectors deemed ‘essential’ can vary by province:

Alberta

Alberta’s Labour Relations Code identifies the following sectors as essential services in the province:

• Provincial public service
• Provincial agencies, boards and commissions
• Public health care, including ground ambulance
• Continuing care, medical laboratories and blood services
• Post-secondary faculty and support staff

British Columbia

The BC Labour Relations Code, which governs the relationship between employers, employees and unions in the province, defines essential services in the province as “facilities, productions and services … necessary or essential to prevent immediate and serious danger to the health, safety or welfare of the residents of British Columbia.”

Ontario

There is currently no definition of an essential worker in Ontario.

Mandated minimum for sick pay

• Alberta: Currently employees are allowed 5 unpaid sick days. However, as of March 5, 2020, all employees who must quarantine due to Covid-19 are eligible for unpaid sick leave for up to 14 days. There is no requirement for employers to pay employees who are ill and cannot work.
• British Columbia: Provincially regulated workers in B.C. are entitled to up to five days paid leave and up to three days of unpaid leave. Both leaves are job-protected leaves, and the days do not have to be taken consecutively.
• Ontario: Provincially regulated employees in Ontario are entitled to three days of unpaid sick leave. Previously, from Apr. 19, 2021 to Mar. 31, 2023, workers in the province were able to use up to three days of paid sick leave for reasons related to COVID-19.
• Federal: Federally regulated workers in Canada can take up to 10 paid sick days each year.