equal not other | égal, pas autre

Friday, April 3, 2020

To: The Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada; The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth; The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and International Development

We are reaching out to share the results of a national survey – Impacts of COVID-19: Canada’s LGBTQI2S Community in Focus – ahead of releasing the full report on Monday, April 6. Through an in-kind partnership with Innovative Research Group (INNOVATIVE), we would like to present a timely study that highlights the unique impact that the COVID-19 crisis has had on Canada’s LGBTQI2S community. This research is the first of its kind in Canada and has given us a glimpse at the unique vulnerabilities and challenges that our LGBTQI2S people face in this crisis. This is only a starting point. We now need the government to take this seminal research and apply it to decision making frameworks and policies that assist and fund one of the most vulnerable groups in our society.

• The LGBTQI2S community has been disproportionately impacted financially by COVID-19. The survey results include a telling contrast between Canada’s LGBTQI2S community and the broader Canadian population with respect to mental and physical health, job loss and financial insecurity. Although astonishing, the results are not unexpected. Below are some of the key findings that were uncovered. The COVID-19 crisis has affected the employment security for a majority (53%) of Canada’s LGBTQI2S households.

• An estimated half of Canada’s LGBTQI2S household have faced lay-offs or reduced employment hours as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This compares to 39% of overall Canadian households. • Compared to the average Canadian household, the LGBTQI2S community is less confident in their households’ current financial situation as well as their ability to bounce back if they were to lose their job. The effects of COVID-19 are taking a much bigger toll on the physical and mental health of the LGBTQI2S community. • LGBTQI2S community reported greater current and expected impacts of COVID-19 on their physical and mental health, and overall quality of life.

• This finding is particularly acute among LGBTQI2S living with chronic illness.

Egale Canada 120 Carlton Street, Suite 217, Toronto, ON M5A 4K2 Canada Tel: 1 416 964-7887 | egale.ca | @egalecanada equal not other | égal, pas autre

All Canadians are scared at this time; however, the level of fear the LGBTQI2S community reports exceeds that of the average Canadian. Public health messaging appears to be resonating with the LGBTQI2S community.

• LGBTQI2S community is more likely than the general public to be in self-quarantine or isolation and taking actions to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

• The community also holds stronger views on the importance of social distancing and the personal efforts they can undertake to avoid getting COVID-19. **Full report attached separately** LGBTQI2S communities continue to be among the most vulnerable in Canada. During this time of uncertainty amid a global pandemic, supporting LGBTQI2S communities continues to be more important than ever. Despite many gaps in data, we know that LGBTQI2S people continue to be impacted disproportionately in many areas of life. From barriers to accessing healthcare and mental health services to facing higher rates of homelessness, poverty, and social isolation — one thing is evident, our community needs your support now more than ever. At Egale, our mission is to improve the lives of LGBTQI2S people in Canada by informing public policy, inspiring cultural change, and promoting human rights and inclusion through research, education, awareness and legal advocacy. Through partnerships in research with post-secondary institutions, various governmental agencies and private-sector firms like INNOVATIVE, we only scratch the surface on identifying the particular needs of LGBTQI2S people. Every inch closer that we come to closing the data gap, is one step forward towards a more inclusive Canada.

Sincerely,

Helen Kennedy Executive Director Egale Canada

Egale Canada 120 Carlton Street, Suite 217, Toronto, ON M5A 4K2 Canada Tel: 1 416 964-7887 | egale.ca | @egalecanada