TORONTO — Women in Film and Television–Canada Coalition (WIFT-CC), in conjunction with Reel Families for Change Canada, yesterday released the results of their Family Care Report, a cross-Canada survey that examines the impact of Covid-19 on child and family care for women working in the Canadian film and TV production industry.
“The report concludes the federal government should immediately call for an industry round table 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, while simultaneously addressing the critical need to implement balanced and equitable working conditions in the Canadian production industry,” reads a WIFT-CC press release.
The Family Care Report was commissioned by WIFT-CC with funding from the Government of Canada’s Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations, administered by the Canada Media Fund.
The survey for the report was conducted during January and February 2021. A total of 322 responses were received from workers in the Canadian film and TV production industry, with 93% of respondents being women and 86% working in unionized production.
WIFT-CC notes in its press release there is limited funding and availability of childcare or family care throughout the larger community in Canada, including culturally appropriate child and family care.
“The work life balance of the screen industry is notably unbalanced. Long hours, compulsory overtime, and gig working conditions keep out people with family obligations or limit their opportunities,” the press release says.
In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic “has devastated women in the workforce in Canada, including in the film and television production industry, where women have been struggling to find adequate childcare and care for their aging and special-needs family members.”
According to the survey, more than 82% of respondents outside Quebec and 59% of Quebec-based respondents said they struggle to find affordable childcare. (Quebec has had a province-wide subsidized daycare program operating since the mid-1990s, WIFT-CC notes.)
Almost 64% of non-Quebec survey respondents reported having lost work because of childcare challenges, compared to 24% of Quebec respondents, according to the survey.
“Many Canadian production unions were very supportive in promoting the Family Care Project’s survey amongst their members,” said Family Care Report author Susan Brinton and expert researcher Heather McQuillan, in the press release.
“WIFT Canada is in contact with the various associations and guilds of the industry in order to explore ways to apply original and sustainable solutions to implement balanced and equitable working conditions in the Canadian production industry. This is particularly crucial as the sector continues to grow and prosper, and particularly if the industry continues to receive government funding.”
To download the Family Care Report, please click here.
