Twelfth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

This paper reports on research done as a collaboration between government, university researchers and a non-governmental organization. Through support from Status of Women Canada, we conducted a large survey across the province of British Columbia to understand how the pandemic, combined with the precarious work on which so many single mothers rely impacted the health and wellbeing of this already vulnerable population. Single mothers account for about 85% of single parents in Canada. Combined with changes to the Canadian labour market that have permitted dramatic increases in precarious work, some population groups, including single mothers, racialized and Indigenous persons are more likely to be forced to rely on work that is part time and insecure. The pandemic exacerbated this already precarious situation as businesses in many sectors were forced to close or reduce their operations. For single mothers coping with child care issues as schools and daycares closed, this combination of circumstances resulted in loss of jobs and incomes amidst already challenging life circumstances. We explore the health and wellness impacts on a diverse population of single mothers reporting on preliminary findings from this province wide survey. We conclude with policy recommendations and analyses that reflect on the health vulnerabilities of vulnerable groups that have been so exacerbated by the pandemic.