Unequal Impact of COVID-19: Emergency Neoliberalism and Welfare Policy in Canada

Abstract

This paper examines Canada's liberal welfare state in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. It argues that contrary to claims that the pandemic is affecting both rich and poor equally, its impact is both gendered, racialized and class-related. It thereby exacerbates existing social and health inequalities. Responsible for much of this is Canada's welfare state that reproduces established patterns of power that create systemic social and health inequalities. In addition, the responses of the Canadian liberal welfare state to the COVID-19 pandemic make explicit its underdeveloped nature and its difficulties in responding to social and health inequalities. This paper shows how the political foundation and organizational logic of the liberal welfare state promotes and reinforces existing inequalities. Similarly, its responses to the pandemic reflect crisis management that meets immediate urgencies but does little to provide long-term economic and social security to citizens.