A Disproportionate Burden

COVID-19 labour market impacts on Indigenous and racialized workers in Canada
December 7, 2021
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This report examines the racial and gender lines in Canada's labour market during the most challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic to date. 

Racialized and Indigenous workers were more likely to become unemployed and be in jobs that put them in close proximity to others, increasing their risk of COVID-19 infection. Racialized and Indigenous workers were also more likely to live with economic insecurity compared to white workers. Female workers were at greater risk of exposure to COVID-19.

As well, A Disproportionate Burden offers a nuanced picture of Indigenous workers in the labour market during the pandemic. While recovery of Indigenous women’s employment has been much slower compared to non-Indigenous women, by June 2021, average employment for Indigenous women was slightly above the pre-pandemic level.

Nevertheless, the study shows that racialized and Indigenous workers borne a disproportionate burden of health and economic risks.

This report was funded by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF).

Offices: 
ISBN: 
978-1-77125-582-0