Uneven economic recovery has not raised all Canadian women equally: Experts

COVID-19,Canada'slabor force participation Overall it looks very rosy to women.

The percentage of women aged 25-54 is 85%, the highest ever in the country. Meanwhile, according to Statistics Canada, the unemployment rate for all workers hit a record low.

But experts say that looking at the economic big picture of , it may seem like a reason for the celebration. A closer look reveals a more subtle recovery of the non-uniform . It did not raise all groups of women equally.

Read more: Women lead job growth as the unemployment rate drops to 5.1%

The women's pandemic (publicly faced work and long-term care economy) working in the directly affected sector has been severely affected by the closure of the entire pandemic. During this period, other groups of women continued to work, but they managed a significant increase in unpaid household chores and long-term care jobs at home. In summary, experts said these forces affect women's economic security and gender equality as a whole.

During the pandemic, women were much worse than in the previous recession. In the past recession, about 17% of job losses were women, and in most cases men lost their jobs, said Brittany Feor, an economist at the Labor Market Information Council. During the pandemic recession, unemployment was almost evenly divided between men and women.

According to a recent report by the council, Feor said the situation this year is somewhat positive, but it depends on the type and discipline of the work in which women work.

Both points A recent report by the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives shows that many women are vulnerable to pandemic restrictions and work in precarious areas such as accommodation, the food service industry, and recreation. It has something to do with the facts.

The Center's report states that a pandemic recovery effort focused on those facing the greatest barriers is needed to prevent the loss of gender equality benefits.

Feor also warns about the risk that women will lose profits over time, especially the current by mothers. I paid attention to participation in work.

"Much higher and recovering than in other years. It seems positive. But it's still only in 2022. So, three, four, five years later. I would like to check again. What does it look like? "She said.

Read more: Canada needs to build new homes, but the construction industry is on the verge of retirement

Feor says that working in a home with young children or at home with young children can affect a woman's career path in ways that are not immediately apparent.

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"Frustration faced by not being able to participate in a particular project or working longer than men Those who didn't have to do the same_they are long-term problems. "

Balancing home care and work responsibilities can impact women's careers and health. Andrea Gunraj, vice president of public involvement at the Canadian Women's Foundation, said. The

Foundation conducted a recent poll, suggesting that Canadian mothers are far more likely to say they are more anxious and sad than their fathers.

Maru / Matchbox surveyed 1,506 Canadians on behalf of the Foundation from April 20th to 21st. You cannot assign a margin of error because the online panel is not considered a truly random sample.

Two in five mothers said they had put off their careers to manage her home and care responsibilities.

"It's a really interesting and upsetting discovery for me, because people basically set aside paid jobs so they can manage unpaid jobs. And what does that mean for women's economic well-being, their ability to care for themselves and their dependents? It has a huge impact on them, "Gunraj said.

Almost half of moms say they have reached the limit this year, but just over 30% of dads say so.

"It's really a situation where people are really stretched, and women are disproportionately stretched because of unpaid care responsibilities," Gunraj said.

Read more: Employers lack talent, hybrid work Revamping Employment Plans to Meet Demand He said he had invested $ 100 million to create a women's entrepreneurship fund and coordinated apprenticeships and programs to support it. The sector addresses the needs of the women's labor market.

When it comes to helping female caregivers, "We know that affordable and accessible child care is the best. It will really make a difference." Gunraj said referring to a new federal plan to create affordable childcare systems across the country.

Gunraj said it needs to be available to the most vulnerable families at a really affordable price. In short, you need to be able to evaluate the results to determine if you are helping people to the extent you need them and improve them.

A national child care plan helps mothers and their children, but can also help create high-paying care work jobs for newly created early childhood educator positions. The CCPA report states that there is.

This is the Ontario setting, quasi-state and quasi. Depends on the minimum wage set by the state The minimum wage for early childhood educators is $ 18 per hour.

In a recent announcement with Quatlov, the Minister of Family, Children and Social Development said the federal government would bring a wage grid to the state. Signed a childcare agreement stating that it was requested to be included.

"Working conditions and wages are the jurisdiction of the states and territories, but we encourage them to do more in every situation," Karina Gould said. rice field.

She said New Brunswick raised the minimum hourly wage for early childhood educators to $ 23.40, Newfoundland to $ 25, and Yukon to $ 30.

This report by Canadian Press was first published on June 25, 2022.

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