Ontario Chamber Welcomes Government Efforts to Support Safe Return to School Policies

(Toronto, August 26, 2020) – Rocco Rossi, President & CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce released the following statement in reaction to government efforts related to return to school.

“We know the closure of schools and daycares has had a disproportionate impact on women. In the spring, women’s workforce participation rate in Canada fell to its lowest level in 30 years. Child care was a big driver of that – which explains why re-employment continues to be slowest for women with children between the ages of 6 and 17.

“This is deeply concerning, not just for women but for the economy, because Ontario has benefitted immensely from women being able to participate in the workforce on a more equal footing.

“We have a new report coming out in September that provides some concrete recommendations around women’s economic recovery, including child care, which we see as a precondition for Ontario’s economic recovery.

“We welcome all government efforts to ensure a safe return to school. We’re encouraged to see the Province invest in testing, PPE, nurses, etc. to support the safe reopening of schools. We are also encouraged by federal funding announced today – including the $381 million for Ontario schools

“The challenge will be to prepare for a second wave. If cases do go up, we need a plan to ensure physical distancing of children in schools and daycare centres without closing them again.”

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the independent, non-partisan, indispensable partner of Ontario business. The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members.

For more information, please contact:
Ceara Copps – Edwards, Manager, Public Affairs, Ontario Chamber of Commerce at cearacoppsedwards@occ.ca or 647-936-6734