Many frontline workers in Ontario will now be making a little bit of extra money as they deal with COVID-19.
The Ontario government announced Saturday afternoon that its providing frontline staff with a temporary pandemic payment.
The increase will provide $4 per hour worked on top of existing hourly wages, regardless of the qualified employee's hourly wage. In addition, employees working over 100 hours per month will receive lump-sum payments of $250 per month for each of the next four months.
For an eligible employee working 40 hours a week, the extra cash works out to $3,560 in additional compensation. The additional compensation is temporary and will be effective for 16 weeks, from April 24 until August 13.
Those eligible to receive the payment will be staff working in long-term care homes, retirement homes, emergency shelters, supportive housing, social services congregate care settings, corrections institutions and youth justice facilities, as well as those providing home and community care and some staff in hospitals.
"These people put themselves in harm's way to care for our sick and vulnerable citizens," said Premier Doug Ford. "I am truly grateful, as are the people of Ontario, for their service, and it's time we give something back to those who sacrifice so much day in and day out."
Staff providing frontline clinical services, along with those providing support services, such as cleaning and meal preparation, will also be eligible to receive the pandemic payment.
"It is vital that we retain our frontline health care workers as we continue our fight to stop the spread of COVID-19," said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. "We are taking further actions to continue to ensure that our healthcare workers are supported, and the health care sector maintains a safe staffing level, especially in places where it is needed the most."
The payment is expected to support around 350,000 frontline employees across the province.