Women in Film and Television – Canada Coalition (WIFT-CC), in conjunction with Reel Families for Change Canada, have released the results of the Family Care Report – a cross-Canada survey exploring the impact of COVID-19 on child and family care for women in Canadian screen industries.

The survey revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated women in the workforce in Canada, including the film and television production industry. Women have been struggling to find adequate childcare and care for their aging and special-needs family members. There is a lack of work-life balance, and limited funding available for child and family care.

The survey results showed:

• Women were 93% of respondents
• 86% worked in unionized production
• 27% of respondents had been fired for being pregnant
• More than 82% of respondents outside Quebec and 59% of Quebec-based respondents said they struggle to find affordable childcare
• Almost 64% of non-Quebec respondents reported having lost work because of childcare challenges, compared to 24% of Quebec respondents

WIFT-CC concluded that the federal government should immediately call for an industry roundtable to begin discussions with unions and employers on the goal of implementing changes to federal labour tax credit policy to support childcare and family care by 2024. The survey also addressed the critical need to implement balanced and equitable working conditions in the Canadian production industry.

Download the Family Care Report to learn more.