Topic: Women in the COVID Economy

The November 21st session was recorded and is available for viewing until December 22nd.

Click here to request the recording link and password.

November 21st Plenary Meeting – Women in the COVID Economy

Our November 21^st Speakers Series featured three dynamic and respected speakers: Lorna Marsden, CM OOnt, Paulette Senior, CEO Canadian Women’s Foundation, and Carolyn Ferns, Public Policy/Government Relations, Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care. The focus was on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected women, specifically the status of women, violence/abuse against women, and child care.  

Lorna Marsden spoke about the general impact of COVID-19, economic and otherwise, on Canadian women. Lorna, who is a Member of the Order of Canada and a Member of the Order of Ontario, is a Canadian sociologist, academic and former politician. She is the former President and Vice-Chancellor of both Wilfred Laurier University and York University, and a former senator.

Paulette Senior, CEO and President of the Canadian Women’s Foundation, focused on the impact of COVID on gender equity and gender-based violence. Paulette has worked with all levels of government and civil society to address issues including poverty, housing, gender-based violence, immigration and social justice. View/download Paulette’s presentation with speaker’s notes.

Carolyn Ferns, Public Policy and Government Relations Coordinator OCBCC, spoke about how the pandemic has impacted women through a child care lens. Carolyn worked for over ten years at the Childcare Resource and Research Unit, where she co-authored the Early Childhood Education and Care in Canada series. Carolyn has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Studies. She is a member of the Board of Directors of both Child Care Now of Canada and the Childcare Resource and Research Unit. View/download Carolyn’s presentation.

The presentations were followed by a Q&A session when the speakers addressed questions from the audience.

In September, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce published a report that may provide some context around women in the COVID economy. The report, The She-Covery Project: Confronting the Gendered Economic Impacts of COVID-19 in Ontario can be downloaded here.

As well, the Standing Committee Chairs have written reports about the Speakers Series presentations, focusing on their Committee’s unique perspective.  Click on the links below to view.

• Report from the Education Standing Committee
• Report from the SWHR Standing Committee