Through an in-kind partnership with INNOVATIVE Research Group, we would like to present a timely study that highlights the unique impact that the COVID-19 crisis has on Canada’s 2SLGBTQI community.

Report Highlights

The LGBTQI2S community has been disproportionately impacted financially by COVID-19.
  • The COVID-19 crisis has affected the employment security for a majority (53%) of Canada’s 2SLGBTQI households.
  • An estimated half of Canada’s 2SLGBTQI household have faced lay-offs or reduced employment hours as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This compares to 39% of overall Canadian households.
  • Compared to the average Canadian household, the 2SLGBTQI community is less confident in their households’ current financial situation as well as their ability to bounce back if they were to lose their job.
The effects of COVID-19 are taking a much bigger toll on the physical and mental health of the LGBTQI2S community.
  • 2SLGBTQI community reported greater current and expected impacts of COVID-19 on their physical and mental health, and overall quality of life.
  • 42% of the 2SLGBTQI community reported significant impacts on their mental health in the current situation compared to 30% of non-LGBTQI2S people.
  • The expected significant impact on mental health in 2 months time rises to 58% for the 2SLGBTQI community compared to 42% of non-2SLGBTQI people.
  • 21% of 2SLGBTQI people with chronic illnesses report a significant impact on their physical health right now. The expected significant impact on physical health in 2 months time rises to 43%, compared to 30% for non-2SLGBTQI people.
The LGBTQI2S community is more concerned about the welfare of vulnerable friends and relatives.
  • 53% of the 2SLGBTQI community do not feel confident in their current household’s financial situation, compared to 40% of non-LGBTQI2S people.
  • 49% of 2SLGBTQI people are worried about social issues, compared to 24% of their non-LGBTQI2S counterparts.
  • 29% of 2SLGBTQI people are living with a chronic health condition, compared to 15% of non-2SLGBTQI people.
Public health messaging appears to be resonating with the LGBTQI2S community.
  • 2SLGBTQI respondents are about 10% more likely to report being in self isolation than non-2SLGBTQI people (58% vs. 49%)
  • The community also holds stronger views on the importance of social distancing and the personal efforts they can undertake to avoid getting and passing on COVID-19.

These results have been shared with the government so that they can apply it to decision making frameworks and policies that assist and fund one of the most vulnerable groups in our society.