This is a time when Canada must harness its community-driven resilience. We’re asking you to share examples of how Canadian communities are responding to the crisis with creativity and imagination. Collective problem-solving and collaboration will be instrumental in how Canada mitigates the local impacts of COVID-19 and creates on-the-ground solutions.
Highlighted Initiatives
A bike path connecting Canada and the US will be found on the new Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit
The multi-use path will work for pedestrians and cyclists. Community, including Bike Windsor Essex, advocated for the appeal and usefulness of the route to support active transportation and a healthy lifestyle while also contributing to cycle tourism across the border. Pedestrians and cyclists will need to bring passports/documentation to cross the border when the bridge opens in 2024 — but Canada will waive the bridge tolls.
List of financial relief efforts offered by governments around the world to support small businesses
A regularly updated resource on government financial relief measures and programs from around the world to support small businesses impacted by the COVID-19.
COVID-19 resources for Indigenous peoples
COVID19 Resources for Indigenous Peoples, put together by Indigenous Climate Action.
Quarantunes: Concerts gratuits à regarder à la maison pendant COVID-19
Quarantunes: Concerts gratuits à regarder à la maison pendant COVID-19 Distanciation, artistes canadiens et autres
Quarantunes: Free concerts to watch at home during COVID-19
Quarantunes: Free Concerts to Watch at Home During COVID-19 Distancing, Canadian and other artists
Volunteer matchmaking platform for food and supplies
Two local Vancouver women set up a free matchmaking platform to help people who can’t afford food and supplies get matched to volunteers based on their location, family size, and donation amount.
List of community response networks across Canada
Many grassroots groups have come together with the shared goal of organizing to ensure vulnerable community members have access to food, housing, healthcare, and other necessities. They’re also redistributing resources in case stockpiling prevents people from accessing basics. Amara Possian, community organizer and professor, started a Google Doc that lists those community response networks across Canada by province.
Resource with Indigenous-friendly NFB movies and documentaries to watch while in self-isolation
List of free indigenous-friendly movies and documentaries on National Film Board website.
$100,000 Fund launched by Facebook and the National Arts Centre provides artist fees for online performances
The Facebook-National Arts Centre Fund for Performing Artists will provide $100,000 in artists fees to support online performances between now and March 31, 2020 to help ease financial strain for those impacted by the closure of performance venues across Canada related to COVID
United Way and City of Calgary release COVID-19 Community Response Fund
The COVID-19 Community Response Fund is a collaboration with The City of Calgary (including the Calgary Emergency Management Agency), and United Way of Calgary and Area, to support community agencies who are working diligently to keep Calgarians safe and well.
Energy company buys up $10,000-worth of gift cards to keep coffee shop afloat
Serafina Energy committed to buying up $10,000 worth of gift cards from the locally based coffee company, Lau’s Deville Coffee shop, to be spent when better times return.
Pet Food Bank for those affected by COVID-19
Alberta’s Lost and Found Pet Listing opened a pet food bank for people to donate and apply for pet food (the bank includes litter, cat food, dog food, pet beds, leashes, bowls, etc.)
Calgary grocery store prepares care package to those quarantined
Calgary Co-op chain is offering a Calgary Co-op Care Package containing food essentials, free of charge, to anyone required to be quarantined as directed by a public health agency. These Calgary Co-op Care Packages will contain non-perishable food items such as canned meat, pasta
Small Business BC creates digital meetups for small businesses to come together
Small Business BC launches Digital Meetups, a community video call for the small businesses community during COVID-19. Every working day, daily Digital Meetups focus on one pressing issue regarding COVID-19: from how to generate revenue, to employment law, all specific to small businesses.
Alberta Nonprofit Network provides resources for nonprofits
Alberta Nonprofit Network has partnered with the Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (ECVO) and FuseSocial to be resource hubs for COVID-19 information. Check out their website for: resources for workplaces; community/sub-sector specific resources; and Alberta-specific FAQs.
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