As soon as the pandemic hit, women took on the bulk of unpaid care responsibilities. Decades of progress towards increased women’s labour force participation was put in jeopardy. The child care sector has been greatly affected, with many centres at the brink of closing permanently. The government announced $625 million in new federal transfers to the provinces and territories earmarked for child care, and introduced the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit for individuals who were unable to work due to care responsibilities for children.
Meanwhile, the nation was shocked and awakened to the dismal conditions in long-term care homes, where 85 percent of COVID-19 deaths have occurred. As with child care, long-term and elder care should be recognized as a human right and public good that requires public investment.
New commitments towards the establishment of a national child care system are laudable. Federal-provincial collaboration will be key, likewise for long-term care. Moving forward, the government should allocate $2 billion for early learning and child care in Budget 2021. Legislation should also be enacted to cement Canada’s commitment to quality, long-term, affordable elder care.
