Mr. Speaker, with new variants of COVID-19 being detected in Canada, Canadians understand that we are not out of the woods yet. While everyone has been touched by the pandemic, those living with low incomes have often been the first to lose their jobs.
We have seen women and gender-diverse individuals take on the majority of caregiving and household responsibilities. Women-led businesses are still being hit hard. Rates of domestic violence have risen during the pandemic and little supports have followed. In response, front-line organizations in my riding of Nanaimo—Ladysmith have led the way in supporting women and gender-diverse individuals during these difficult times.
As we continue to live with the pandemic, we must ensure that the necessary supports the government provides will lift up all women and diverse gendered individuals so no one is left behind.