Job numbers show women continue to be left behind by the Ford government

WATERLOO – Catherine Fife, the NDP’s Economic Growth and Job Creation Critic, says November’s job numbers from Statistics Canada show that when it comes to supporting women getting back into the workforce, the Ford government is missing in action.

“What is most worrying in this month’s numbers is that year-over-year more women than men have lost jobs, and many are not returning to employment. This is yet more evidence that women are being left behind without the support they need to re-enter the workforce.

Doug Ford failed to cap class sizes and protect our schools from COVID-19 because he didn’t want to spend the money on hiring more educators, and now he’s refusing to expand the testing of students and staff that he should have done months ago. We see a growing number of outbreaks in schools as the virus spreads, and it's left working women anxious about their kids’ safety with impossible choices as they juggle their responsibilities. For many, returning to work just isn’t an option.

Every month, the Ford government sees evidence that women are being disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but they haven’t proposed any supports that will directly support women in re-entering the workforce. Last month’s budget contained no new money for education or child care centres.

Without a she-covery, Ontario’s economy will continue to falter. The Ford government needs to invest in women and their families as the priority by expanding access to child care and making our schools safer. This will allow women to get back to their jobs and drive the economic growth that our province desperately needs.”