Premier Brian Pallister is joining his counterparts in B.C. and Yukon in calling for a national sick leave program that protects people and businesses as Canada restarts its economy.

Pallister says he and Premier John Horgan of British Columbia and Yukon Premier Sandy Silver have raised this concept with federal government officials. Pallister feels a sick leave program would protect people and businesses, which is crucial for the safe restart of the economy.

"A national paid sick leave program would ensure that people can stay home from work when they are sick without the fear of not being able to pay their bills. I also think it would do a lot to help restore the confidence of consumers so that when they go into a retail establishment, a store or a service facility of some kind that they are going to be safe and protected."

He says safety is the key and avoiding COVID-19 comeback in Manitoba and Canada is critical.

The premier indicated that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has expressed an interest in discussing the concept with all of the premiers.