When Can Employers Require Sick Notes In Canada? Manitoba And PEI Introduce New Rules

Key Updates:

• Manitoba: Beginning October 1, 2026, employers, generally, cannot require a sick note unless an absence lasts more than one week or the employee has been absent because of injury or illness for more than 10 scheduled workdays in the calendar year. Employers must also reimburse employees for the cost of a required sick note.
• Prince Edward Island: As of June 30, 2026, employers, generally, cannot require confirmation of illness or injury unless an employee has been absent for, for requests sick leave of, five consecutive working days or more.
• Across Canada: Most jurisdictions have now implemented rules respecting an employer’s ability to request an employee provide a sick note. However, the rules differ significantly by jurisdiction and restrictions on sick notes do not necessarily prevent employers from requesting appropriate medical information for purposes such as accommodation or return-to-work assessments.