In late 2024, both Ontario and Quebec passed legislation to limit the use of sick notes as a part of efforts to increase health system capacity and reduce the administrative burden on physicians. These efforts build on legislative changes passed by Nova Scotia in 2023. 

In Ontario, the changes in 2024 prohibit employers from requiring sick notes from a qualified health practitioner in order for employees to take their entitled leave. Employers maintain the ability to require reasonable evidence from an employee that they were sick, such as an attestation or declaration.

David Piccini, the Minister of Labour in Ontario, said that ​“Our government is putting patients before paperwork and tackling the red tape burden for healthcare workers by proposing legislation to prohibit employers from requiring a sick note.”

➡️ Read more here.

In Quebec, the legislation was aimed at reducing administrative burdens for physicians. For sick notes, the new law prohibits employers from asking for a sick notes ​“for the first three periods of absence not exceeding three consecutive days taken annually.” The legislation also takes other steps to reduce unnecessary paperwork for physicians, including prohibiting insurers from requesting physician authorization for access to paramedical benefits.

➡️ Read more here.