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

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Initiatives

Hamilton convertira les centres de rec en refuges d’auto-isolement COVID-19 pour les sans-abri

Housing and homelessness | Policy leadership

La Ville s’efforce également de s’assurer que les points d’accueil existants disposent des ressources nécessaires pour rester ouverts. Les nouveaux sites d’auto-isolement « en arrêt de dos » n’accepteront que les résidents sans abri qui sont dirigés par des responsables du refuge, des médecins ou des autorités hospitalières. Cela signifie que la ville ne publiera pas publiquement les emplacements du centre de récréation.

Hamilton to convert rec centres into COVID-19 self-isolation shelters for homeless residents

Housing and homelessness | Policy leadership

The City is also working to ensure existing drop-in spots have the resources necessary to stay open. The new “backstop” self-isolation sites will only accept homeless residents who are referred by shelter officials, doctors or hospital authorities. That means the city will not publicly release the rec centre locations.

University tech business incubator launches #HACKTHECURVE to help develop solutions addressing COVID-19

Local businesses | Public health

Ryerson University’s DMZ created an online hackathon to facilitate the development of solutions to help address COVID-19. Over a two-week period, teams will develop a technology solution to help curb the virus’ spread. The winner of the challenge will receive $10,000 in cash and an expedited application for DMZ membership.

Toronto-based arts organization establishes Rent Relief Fund to provide artists with anonymous, one-time emergency grants towards their studio rent during COVID19

Arts and Culture | Income support

Akin is a Toronto-based arts organization that provides creative studio space as well as arts-based programming. The goal of the Fund is to provide short term financial aid in unexpected situations or times of financial instability.

Neighbourhood Information Post and partner agencies create Toronto Rent Bank Program

Housing and homelessness

Provides interest-free repayable loans to low-income households facing eviction due to short-term financial difficulties. NIP acts as the Central Administrative agency and local service access centre. NIP is responsible for processing all Rent Bank loans and repayments in Toronto, and providing local residents in the Downtown area with Rent Bank intake functions and a variety of housing-related services.

La Ligue nationale des villes crée COVID-19 Local Action Tracker

Policy leadership

La Ligue nationale des villes et Bloomberg Philanthropies se sont associé pour recueillir et partager les actions prises par les dirigeants locaux aux États-Unis en réponse à la pandémie COVID-19.

National League of Cities creates COVID-19 Local Action Tracker

Policy leadership

The National League of Cities and Bloomberg Philanthropies have teamed up to collect and share actions taken by local leaders in the US in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Iranian-Canadian organization moves Nowruz Festival online

Arts and Culture | General: Online communities and networks

The fourth annual Tirgan Nowruz Festival was moved online, with some programs shifted to a live or pre-recorded broadcast, and others rescheduled for a later date.

Free delivery matching service helping frontline medical professionals with groceries

Food | Frontline services | Fundraising and volunteering

Grocery Hero Canada matches volunteers across Canada with a medical professional in their neighbourhood by postal code.

C5 North East Community Hub and the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers launch laptop drive to connect marginalized Edmontonians during pandemic

Children | Frontline services | Social isolation

Donated laptops and tablets will help clients from five agencies, including the Mennonite Centre and the Terra Centre for teen parents and pregnant moms, to access programs, keep up on school work and stay in touch with family and friends.

Retail Council of Canada publishes checklist to help with retailers’ planning for COVID-19

General: Sector resources | Local businesses

The resource offers a checklists of steps for prevention and preparation.

Anishinaabe outdoor education school offering free online classes while schools are shut down

Children | Indigenous | Learning and education | Local businesses

Caleb Musgrave, owner and operator of Canadian Bushcraft, an outdoor education school, is offering free online classes while schools are shut down during COVID-19.

The DreamMind Group launches Operation Ramzieh initiative, assembling and delivering food boxes to seniors

Food | Local businesses | Seniors | Social isolation

The deliveries use vehicles provided by DreamMind and other companies, and the help of volunteers. Essential food and other items are being purchased by the team at cost.

60+ open innovation initiatives to address the coronavirus pandemic

General: Crowdsourced tools and resources

Luminary Labs is tracking open innovation programs — from challenges and hackathons to open data projects and open-source hardware — that seek to address COVID-19 and the virus that causes it.

“Shop in the Heart” is a COVID-19 response platform organized by the Downtown Edmonton BIA

Arts and Culture | Food | General: Online communities and networks

Site organized by the Edmonton Downtown Business Association showcasing downtown restaurants, retailers and other businesses who have found a way to deliver their goods and services to the people of Edmonton. Includes those businesses offering online classes or streamed services, gift cards, virtual appointments, equipment rental, delivery or curbside pickups and food specials such as custom meal boxes. Some businesses are offering deep discounts and specials during this time, or free items, donations & specials to first responders and hospital workers.

Programme de prestation de programmes sociaux en ligne pour les jeunes adultes handicapés

General: Online communities and networks | Public health | Social isolation

Le programme Everyday Friends Social Network, créé par le Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre (MNJCC) à Toronto, est assuré par le programme Everyday Friends Social Network. Le programme, qui a été offert en personne avant la déclaration de l’état d’urgence et la fermeture d’entreprises non essentielles, offre des programmes quotidiens aux jeunes adultes handicapés âgés de 16 à 29 ans.

Program providing online social program for young adults with disabilities

General: Online communities and networks | Public health | Social isolation

Facilitation is being provided by the Everyday Friends Social Network program, created by Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre (MNJCC) in Toronto. The program, which was provided in-person before a state of emergency was declared and non-essential businesses were closed, provides daily programs for young adults living with disabilities between the ages of 16 and 29.

In response to COVID-19, Edmonton-based kitchen fabrication company has retooled to help local shops protect their staff & customers with safety screens/breath guards

Frontline services | Local businesses

Pulse Metalworks Ltd. is an Edmonton based, family owned operation that has building steel commercial kitchens throughout British Columbia and Saskatchewan for more than 15 years. They have repurposed their workshop to create safety screens for local business

L’achat local c’est vital, en ces temps de crise. La @Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec lance la campagne “J’ACHETER BLEU”. http://jachetebleu.ca/ Elle relaiera régulièrement des exemples d’entreprises d’ici offrant des services en ligne.

Food | General: Online communities and networks | Local businesses

La campagne J’achète bleu est une initiative de la FCCQ visant à soutenir l’économie québécoise et le commerce de détail par la découverte d’entreprises locales. Sur son site internet et via ses réseaux sociaux, la FCCQ relaiera régulièrement des exemples d’entreprises d’ici offrant des services en ligne. Nous invitons aussi les entreprises à faire part des différentes initiatives et offres commerciales qu’elles mettent en place à leur chambre de commerce local.

L’achat local c’est vital, surtout en ces temps de crise. La @Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec lance la campagne «J’ACHÈTE BLEU». http://jachetebleu.ca/ Elle relaiera régulièrement des exemples d’entreprises d’ici offrant des services en ligne.

Food | General: Online communities and networks | Local businesses

La campagne J’achète bleu est une initiative de la FCCQ visant à soutenir l’économie québécoise et le commerce de détail par la découverte d’entreprises locales. Sur son site internet et via ses réseaux sociaux, la FCCQ relaiera régulièrement des exemples d’entreprises d’ici offrant des services en ligne. Nous invitons également les entreprises à faire part des différentes initiatives et offres commerciales qu’elles mettent en place à leur chambre de commerce locale.

WhatsForDinner is a food delivery service in Innisfil which provides online ordering and delivery for local restaurants which do not normally provide these services themselves

Food | Local businesses | Shop Local

WFDT has provided our drivers with sanitizer, and the debit machines are being cleaned between every delivery. Contactless delivery & payment via e-transfer is also available upon request.

Mesures de la Ville de Montréal pour soutenir les entreprises

Local businesses | Policy leadership

Dans le contexte de la COVID-19, qui a une forte incidence sur les entreprises, la Ville offre un soutien financier d’urgence et pris des mesures pour aider les entreprises, les organismes à mais non lucratif et les travailleurs autonomes à faire face aux défis actuels.

Mesures de la Ville de Montréal pour soutenir les entreprises

Local businesses | Policy leadership

Dans le contexte de la COVID-19, qui a une forte incidence sur les entreprises, la Ville offre un soutien financier d’urgence et prend des mesures pour aider les entreprises, les organismes à but non lucratif et les travailleurs autonomes à faire face aux défis actuels.

New web portal for St. Catharines restaurants and businesses ready to serve with pickup and delivery services

Food | General: Online communities and networks | Local businesses

Includes links to restaurants, groceries and shopping

Mississauga Launches a New Online Dedicated COVID-19 Resources for Mississauga Businesses

General: Sector resources | Local businesses

The web portal will be a one-stop site for businesses to get the latest information on government updates, relief packages and services offered by the City.

QUÉBEC ORGANIZATIONS RALLY RESIDENTS TO BUY FROM LOCAL STARTUPS ON APRIL 2

General: Online communities and networks | Local businesses | Shop Local

Québec residents are encouraged to buy a product or service from a Québec-based startup, in order to support the province’s economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of the event is to make up for lost funding and sales faced by some of the startups. The event’s organizers have compiled a list of startups in the province as a resource for people looking to participate. The goal of the event is to broaden Québec residents’ awareness of provincially-made products and services, in order to make up for lost funding and sales faced by some of the startups.

“Support London Businesses” lists online stores of local businesses in London

Food | Fundraising and volunteering | General: Online communities and networks | General: Sector resources | Local businesses | Shop Local

This local resource includes a list of London retailers with online stores, a pledge for residents to sign onto to do one activity a day to help a local London business, and ecommerce advice.

Local entrepreneur starts ‘Hamilton Helpers’ website that invites business people and others to post offers to help in the community

General: Online communities and networks | Local businesses

The idea is to promote services and products that local small businesses can continue to offer in alternative and safe ways, while extending a helping hand to the community in the COVID-19 era. So far, offers have included everything from reduced rates for dog walking to free mental health counselling, to complimentary front porch delivery of biscotti.

Local Calgary businesses come together to create platform for purchasing gift cards from restaurants during COVID-19

Food | Local businesses

Eat Later allows residents to support local bars and restaurants in Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto & GTA, and Vancouver.

Big Bike Giveaway partners with Squeaky Wheel Bike Co-op to give out free bicycles to low-income essential workers

Fundraising and volunteering | Local businesses | Mobility and transportation

London-based Squeaky Wheel Bike Co-op is a volunteer-supported, self-serve bike repair shop and Big Bike Giveaway is organized by a husband and wife team in London Ontario.

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