Question Period Note: Gendered Impacts of COVID-19

How is the Government of Canada addressing the gendered impacts of COVID-19?

• The Government of Canada is committed to addressing the gendered impacts of the pandemic because we know that different groups are disproportionately affected by the virus and measures to contain it:
o Women are overrepresented in industries most impacted by closures and earnings losses. Their labour force participation is further threatened by lack of access to childcare.
o Home is not a safe place for everyone. We have seen a "shadow pandemic" emerge for those isolated at home with their abusers.
o Indigenous women, immigrant women, single mothers, senior women, and LGBTQ2 people face higher rates of poverty and core housing needs.
• Through the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, a number of initiatives have been implemented to support Canadian workers, those experiencing homelessness, and women and children fleeing violence.
o For example, the Government of Canada committed $50 million to women’s shelters and sexual assault centres and other organizations providing critical supports and services to women and children fleeing violence; and, $350 million to the Emergency Community Support Fund to support vulnerable Canadians.

Gendered Impacts on Employment
• Women across Canada are over-represented in service industries that were shut down in response to COVID-19.
o When lockdowns began, core-aged women experienced the greatest job losses. As the economy began to open in May, men gained back jobs at more than twice the rate of women. As of August, men were slightly closer to pre-shutdown employment levels than women.
o Low-wage earners and visible minority women have been particularly affected, with a slower recovery. South Asian and Black women have greater unemployment rates than their male counterparts.
• Women’s economic participation has been impacted by greater childcare and domestic responsibilities than their spouses.
• Women are overrepresented in essential occupations, facing greater exposure to the virus. In 2018, women comprised the overwhelming majority of nursing professions.
• To address women’s economic vulnerabilities, the Government:
o Instituted the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, which as of August 23rd, benefitted 8.66 million Canadians (48.5% of recipient were women and 0.1% were gender-diverse people).
o Boosted Canada Child Benefit payments, delivering almost $2 billion to ~3.7 million families with children, as of July 8th.
o Established the $19 billion Safe Restart Agreement to support community programs benefitting vulnerable populations.

Gender-Based Violence
• Many support services are reporting an increased demand for gender-based violence-related services. Others have seen a significant decrease, raising concerns that survivors cannot access help.
• With increased time spent online, Canadians, especially young women and children, face greater risk of technology-facilitated violence; there are reports of increased online child sexual exploitation.
• To support women, children and others, the Government provided:
o $50 million to women’s shelters and sexual assault centres and other organizations providing critical supports and services to women and children fleeing violence; and
o $350 million to the Emergency Community Support Fund to support vulnerable Canadians.

Poverty Reduction, Health and Well-Being
• Pre-existing economic insecurities were exacerbated by COVID-19. Vulnerable women, LGBTQ2 individuals, people with disabilities and youth are impacted by poverty at higher rates.
• To support impoverished and at-risk communities, the Government:
o Launched the Surplus Food Rescue Program;
o Provides a tax-free payment to Canadians with disabilities;

o Provided $157.5 million to the Reaching Home initiative; and,
o Created the $685 million distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support fund to address their immediate needs.

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