'When do we get the money?': Bill 124 back-payments could soon come to local teachers and nurses
Ontario will have to pay out more than $6 billion to broader public sector workers after the provincial government's wage restraint legislation was found to be unconstitutional, according to a report in the Canadian Press.
Bill 124 went into effect in 2019, capping salary increases for some public sector workers at 1 per cent a year for three years.
But with that legislation now repealed, according to senior government sources cited by the Canadian Press, workers will collectively receive back-pay through so-called “reopener payments” to the tune of $6 billion.
“It certainly is going to cost some money because we're five years behind. People have to remember this is compensation from 2019 up until present day,” said Erin Roy, the president of OSSTF District 9.
Roy said there are a lot of variables to consider when determining how much each worker could receive, based on their placement in the salary grid. But she estimates on the high end, some teachers could receive about $15,000 in gross retroactive pay.
“We just have to remind the teachers and the education workers that this is just money that was essentially stolen from you because this is money you should have been earning throughout this in this inflationary period that we're all feeling,” Roy said.
Roy said the work now begins to determine how much each of the 700,000 teachers, education workers and nurses across the province will get.
“The question is, when do we get to get the money?” Roy asked, noting the province must pay out by June 10, 2024.
“This will come as relief to many, but it's going to go right to lines of credit now. Perhaps, probably could have been paid towards mortgages at some point,” she said.
Ontario New Democrat leader Marit Stiles issued a statement Friday, saying the impacts have already driven people away from the affected professions.
“Now, instead of investing billions to fix the things Ontarians are struggling with—housing, cost of living, emergency room closures—we’re all on the hook for Ford’s misguided attack on workers,” reads the statement from Stiles.
At the same time, teachers have been without a contract since 2022.
Roy confirmed teachers have reached agreements locally, with ratification votes scheduled after March Break.
The central bargaining committee has entered binding interest arbitration with the province, hoping to have a deal to look at by summertime.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Cybersecurity incident' shuts down London Drugs stores across Western Canada
All 79 locations of pharmacy and retail chain London Drugs were shut down Sunday after it was the victim of a “cybersecurity incident.”
CDC says it's identified 1st documented cases of HIV transmitted through cosmetic needles
Three women diagnosed with HIV after getting 'vampire facial' procedures at an unlicensed medical spa are believed to be the first documented cases of people contracting the virus through a cosmetic procedure using needles.
Canucks pull off comeback, top Predators 4-3 in OT
Elias Lindholm scored 1:02 into overtime and the Vancouver Canucks came all the way back to beat the Nashville Predators 4-3 in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Aerial photos show wide devastation left by a deadly tornado in China's Guangzhou
Aerial photos posted by Chinese state media on Sunday showed wide devastation in part of the southern city of Guangzhou after a tornado swept through the day before, killing five people, injuring dozens others and damaging more than 140 buildings.
Ontario to ban use of cellphones in school classrooms starting in September
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
Australian prime minister describes domestic violence as a 'national crisis' after protests
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday described domestic violence as a 'national crisis' after thousands rallied around the country against violence toward women.
Casey DeSmith won’t start Game 4 for the Canucks
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Vancouver Canucks when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series Sunday.
Putin likely didn't order death of Russian opposition leader Navalny, U.S. official says
U.S. intelligence officials have determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely didn't order the death of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny in February, according to an official familiar with the determination.