Characteristics of Child Care Workers Who Claimed the Canada Emergency Response Benefit in 2020 - Research Paper Series

Oct 15, 2026

In March 2020, child care provision in Canada was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with most provinces mandating closures of child care centres, schools, and family child care homes. The study analyzes the share of child care workers who claimed the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and describes their characteristics. About 65% of child care workers claimed the CERB, versus 35% of employed workers nationwide, with claimants more likely to work in schools, earn lower wages, and live in Ontario, the Prairies, or British Columbia.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages19

Reading Time48 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

1 Introduction

2 Methods

2.1 Data sources

2.2 Analysis

2.3 Results

3 Discussion

4 Limitations

5 Future research

6 Conclusions

7 Appendix

References

Catalogue no. 11F0019M — No. 489 ISSN 1205-9153 ISBN 978-0-660-97860-4 Analytical Studies Branch Research Paper Series Characteristics of Child Care Workers Who Claimed the Canada Emergency Response Benefit in 2020 by Anne Guèvremont Release date: February 3, 2026 How to obtain more information For information about this product or the wide range of services and data available from Statistics Canada, visit our website, [www.statcan.gc.ca](www.statcan.gc.ca). You can also contact us by Email at infostats@statcan.gc.ca Telephone, from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. , at the following numbers: • Statistical Information Service 1-800-263-1136 • National telecommunications device for the hearing impaired 1-800-363-7629 • Fax line 1-514-283-9350 Standards of service to the public Statistics Canada is committed to serving its clients in a prompt, reliable and courteous manner. To this end, the Agency has developed standards of service which its employees observe in serving its clients. To obtain a copy of these service standards, please contact Statistics Canada toll-free at 1-800-263-1136. The service standards are also published on [www.statcan.gc.ca](www.statcan.gc.ca)[ ](www.statcan.gc.ca)[under](under) “Contact us” > “Standards of service to the public.” Note of appreciation Canada owes the success of its statistical system to along-standing partnership between Statistics Canada, the citizens of Canada, its businesses, governments and other institutions. Accurate and timely statistical information could not be produced without their continued co-operation and goodwill. Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2026 Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement. An HTML version is also available. Cette publication est aussi disponible en français. Characteristics of Child Care Workers Who Claimed the Canada Emergency Response Benefit in 2020 by Anne Guèvremont Health Analysis and Modelling Division Statistics Canada 11F0019M No.489 2026001 ISSN 1205-9153 ISBN 978-0-660-97860-4 DOI: [https://www.doi.org/10.25318/11f0019m2026001-eng](https://www.doi.org/10.25318/11f0019m2026001-eng) February 3, 2026 Analytical Studies Branch Research Paper Series The Analytical Studies Branch Research Paper Series provides for the circulation of research conducted by Analytical Studies Branch staff and collaborators. The Series is intended to stimulate discussion on a variety of topics, such as labour, immigration, education and skills, income mobility, well-being, aging, firm dynamics, productivity, economic transitions, and economic geography. Readers of the Series are encouraged to contact the authors with their comments and suggestions. All the papers in the Analytical Studies Branch Research Paper Series go through institutional and peer review to ensure that they conform to Statistics Canada's mandate as a governmental statistical agency and adhere to generally accepted standards of good professional practice. Acknowledgment This paper was funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada. Table of contents Abstract .....................................................................................................................................5 1 Introduction.........................................................................................................................6 2 Methods ...............................................................................................................................7 2.1 Data sources .................................................................................................................7 2.2 Analysis ........................................................................................................................8 2.3 Results .....

FAQs

What impact did the COVID-19 pandemic have on child care in Canada in 2020?

In March 2020, the pandemic greatly affected child care provision as most provinces mandated closures of child care centres, schools, and family child care homes.

How many child care workers claimed the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)?

About 65% of child care workers claimed the CERB, compared with 35% of all employed workers in Canada.

What characteristics distinguished CERB-claiming child care workers?

CERB-claiming child care workers were more likely to work in schools, had lower wages, and were more likely to live in Ontario, the Prairies, or British Columbia.

Oct 15, 2026

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