Office of the Official Opposition
For Immediate Release

St. John's, NL (August 11, 2020) – Helen Conway Ottenheimer, PC Opposition Critic for the Status of Women and MHA for the District of Harbour Main, is calling upon the government to implement greatly needed supports for women who are suffering disproportionately because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Mounting evidence released from a number of sources, including Statistics Canada and Deloitte, demonstrate that the economic fallout of the pandemic is affecting women disproportionally more than men,” said Conway Ottenheimer.

“As noted by Deloitte, women are more likely to work in the retail and service industries and thus are more likely to find themselves out of work because of the pandemic. Of the job losses, more than two-thirds unfortunately occurred to women. We also know that the pandemic has resulted in women taking on more responsibilities at home,” continued Conway Ottenheimer.

“Deloitte is now forecasting that Canada will face a major increase in mental illness – a human crisis in which women, in particular, will be negatively impacted. Women in our province will not be immune. However, there are things government can do now to prepare and to help women get through this crisis,” suggested Conway Ottenheimer.

Conway Ottenheimer called upon the Minister responsible for the Status of Women to ensure women will have access to mental health supports when they are needed.

In addition to addressing the health and economic crisis, Conway Ottenheimer said “It is critical that Government is vigilant in mitigating the harms anticipated by the mental health challenges ahead.”

Contacts:

Bradley Russell

Director of Policy and Research

(p) 1.709.729.3668

BradleyRussell@gov.nl.ca

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