The economic fallout of COVID-19 is stark — and women are feeling the brunt of it.
Over 1.5 million women lost jobs in March and April, according to Statistics Canada. That’s a 17 per cent drop in employment levels since February. Even with workplaces and services beginning to reopen, families will struggle to return to work without adequate child care in place.
Advocates, employers and policy-makers alike fear that the burden of care will fall on women.
With Canadian women typically contributing about 40 per cent of household income, there can be no full economic recovery without what economist Armine Yalnizyan has dubbed a “she-covery.”
Child care is key to making that possible.
It’s become clear that child care is a vital part of social infrastructure. Without child care, workers in women-dominated sectors that keep us healthy, safe and fed could not keep operating. This is why we saw several jurisdictions move quickly to make child care available to essential workers as a central component of their response efforts.
But that temporary solution is a far cry from what’s actually needed to address the gaping holes in a severely underfunded and fragmented system. It’s a system in which child care costs far too much for many families, and even when affordable, is highly competitive — sometimes with three or more children to every one licenced space.
As we begin to shape the new normal, child care must be at the heart of the post-COVID-19 economy. Child care encourages participation in the labour market and is also an important source of employment for women — an economic driver in and of itself.
Investments in the care economy will largely pay for themselves as middle class families engage in greater labour-market participation, higher productivity, rising incomes, and increased tax revenue.
The federal government has the opportunity to spearhead a comprehensive pan-Canadian effort to build back better in the child care sector. Such a sector would ensure children have access to safe early learning and care and that parents are able to return to the paid labour force with relatively little worry.
In the short-term, the government will have to work with the provinces and territories to provide immediate funds to stabilize existing child care infrastructure.
The federal government has already committed to establishing a Federal Child Care Secretariat in order to help strengthen Canada’s social infrastructure.
The secretariat will play a fundamental role in the reconstruction process, which will require long-term commitment and teamwork.
The secretariat will also need to develop a workforce strategy to raise the quality of early learning in child care, improve working conditions for early childhood educators and oversee the expansion of the system.
Through collaboration, creativity and trust, we can take meaningful steps forward to ensure a robust economic recovery for all.
Recent Comments
I’ve thought about posting something about this before. Good job! Can I use part of your post in my blog?
Appreciation for taking the time to discuss this topic, I would love to discover more on this topic. If viable, as you gain expertise, would you object to updating the website with further information? It is tremendously beneficial for me.
These are some of the most important issues we’ll face over the next few decades.
I don’t normally comment but I gotta say appreciate it for the post on this one : D.
There are some serious financial ramifications here.
I absolutely adore your site! You aggressive me as able-bodied as all the others actuality and your broiled PS is absolutely great!
Please let us know when you plan to publish your book!
Surprisingly good post. I really found your primary webpage and additionally wanted to suggest that have essentially enjoyed searching your website blog posts. Whatever the case I’ll always be subscribing to your entire supply and I hope you jot down ever again soon!
Thank you for this great piece of content. Best Regards
Certainly. And I have faced it. Let’s discuss this question. Here or in PM.
I feel that is among the so much significant info for me. And i am satisfied studying your article. However should commentary on some basic issues, The site style is ideal, the articles is in reality excellent : D. Excellent activity, cheers
Might we expect to see more of these same problems in the future?
This is an awesome entry. Thank you very much for the supreme post provided! I was looking for this entry for a long time, but I wasn’t able to find a honest source.
You have some helpful ideas! Maybe I should consider doing this by myself.
I really love this article.
Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Very useful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such info much. I was looking for this certain information for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.
I wanted to check up and let you know how, a great deal I cherished discovering your blog today. I might consider it an honor to work at my office and be able to utilize the tips provided on your blog and also be a part of visitors’ reviews like this. Should a position associated with guest writer become on offer at your end, make sure you let me know.
This blog post is excellent, probably because of how well the subject was developed. I like some of the comments too.
very good post, i certainly love this web site, keep on it
I’ve thought about posting something about this before. Good job! Can I use part of your post in my blog?