COVID-19 has revealed and deepened existing inequalities in Canadian society. Any recovery plan must take into account the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has had, and will continue to have, on the most vulnerable in our communities. We are unable to assess these impacts without data. To understand these impacts and how to address them equitably, we must begin collecting socio-demographic data on COVID-19 so we can make evidence-based decisions on recovery investment and provide the right support where it is needed most.
- This will require cooperation with the provinces through the Council of Canadian Governments.
- Evidence-based decisions on public health issues have been key throughout the pandemic, but we need to apply this standard to all public health issues, for example mental health care and the ongoing opioid crisis.
- Government funded research must be made available free to all Canadians.
- Socio-demographic data collection is a must
- We know from other countries where this data is being collected that Indigenous peoples and people of colour are being hit much harder by COVID-19 than other groups. Canada cannot turn a blind eye to its own inequities. We want to protect our diversity.
- We need race-based data from across the country. Indigenous communities are calling for the data to help determine next steps.
- We need data (race, gender, etc) and front-line information from health-care workers. Who is working when and how much? Do they have the resources they need? Are they being mistreated by patients or employers? Do we have enough personal protective equipment (PPE)? Does it fit?
- From the get-go, we will make sure privacy and security are protected in all data collection. We commit to overall data protection so that personal information is not compromised as the virus is tracked.