QUESTION PERIOD — Finance
Fiscal Update
December 14, 2020
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. Senator Gold, we all know diversity is extremely important to our economy, and it’s no secret that women have been greatly affected during this pandemic.
In the Fall Economic Statement, the government reiterated its promise in the Speech from the Throne to create an action plan for women in the economy. This action plan is to be guided by a task force of experts to help more women get back into the workforce.
Senator Gold, can you tell us when this task force will meet? Can you tell us who will serve on this task force? Is there any update you can share with us today? Thank you.
Thank you, senator, for your questions. As you rightly point out and as we know all too well, the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on women, who often take on extra responsibilities not only for home schooling and taking care of their sick children, but also having to juggle their own careers and jobs in a most difficult economic environment.
I don’t have a specific answer or an update with regard to the advisory committee and the task force. I hope information regarding that will be forthcoming soon.
Senator Gold, it’s important, as you know. Some experts say that this pandemic has turned back the clock three decades on women in the labour force. As you do know, there are currently programs targeting women entrepreneurs, namely the Women Entrepreneurship Fund, and strategies to help women-owned and women-led businesses across Canada grow and reach new markets.
Could you tell us where this new action plan fits in with these other women-focused programs? Could you give us an update on whether these programs will be updated or improved or still stay as they currently are? Thank you.
That’s a good question, and I appreciate it. Thank you, senator.
The government is committed to creating an action plan for women in the economy. It will look at it from a feminist perspective, an intersectional perspective and, really, a holistic perspective because, as your question implies, it’s important to see how these actions fit into a whole suite of measures, both the programs that have been introduced as a result of the pandemic and also the general structural programs in our country to help Canadians launch businesses and survive in business.
The government’s assumption is that by strengthening individuals, families and the businesses that they create, we help strengthen the economy and create a more resilient society to get through this difficulty and come out of it stronger.
