The Canadian Sikh COVID-19 Task Force brings together Canadian Sikh medical, religious and community leaders and organizations in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through intersectoral collaboration, task force members are working on innovative and timely initiatives that address growing community needs during this unprecedented time. ​The task force has medical, spiritual, community and advocacy arms that are represented by one or more organizations with a local, regional or national presence. While leading their own initiatives, members share updates, experiences, and resources, seek assistance and help proactively plan for anticipated challenges.  We also collaborate at the international level with similar task forces, including from the United Kingdom and the United States.

Their mission is to convene, coordinate and broker innovative partnerships, advocate for policy changes and build the capacity of Edmontonians to take action to end poverty. EPE is not a referral agency, funder, or service provider. It is a space for agencies, funders, service providers, people with the lived experience of poverty, and other Edmontonians to come together to share their experience and wisdom so that, as a community, the  goal of ending poverty in a generation is met. (30 years.)

They work alongside entrepreneurs, educational institutions, non-profits and government helping them to become stewards of Treaty and realize their capacity to create conditions of abundance in their organizations, and beyond.

Work in the PLACE lab involves community-based participatory research, qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and geographic information systems (GIS) mapping.

They achieve this through increasing the pool of professional early-stage investors, educating entrepreneurs on fundraising best practices, and sustaining long-term relationships across all stakeholders.  They raise funds through weekly happy hour events or “beer sponsorship”.

Taproot members believe that the current model of journalism is broken and strive to share stories in a way that is sustainable and responsive to community needs. They have membership supported model to sustain their organization and steer away from an advertising-supported model of revenue generation.

The “Philosophy of the New Zoning By-Law” Key Reference Document outlines the new ways in which zoning will be pursued in Edmonton. The development of new zoning by-laws is being pursued through an “Equity Lens” which is described as “a shift from previous ways of thinking about land use regulations. This framework encourages one to consider the “unintended social impacts of our regulations and take thoughtful and decisive action to create Everyone’s Edmonton.” A part of this equity lens is asking the questions:

• What do Inclusive and Compassionate zoning regulations look like and how can we create options for a more equitable future?
• How can zoning promote a Community of Communities, so all Edmontonians have access to the goods and services they need regardless of their neighbourhood?
• What outcomes will we need to prioritize in the Zoning Bylaw to ensure Edmonton is a Rebuildable City, capable of adapting to change and disruptions while ensuring all Edmontonians have access to new opportunities?

Framed as a “Zoning By-Law For Everyone”

Conceptualized in 2019, a parking lot will be converted to a central park in downtown Edmonton. The green space will be the size of two football fields and span nearly two blocks from Jasper Avenue to 102^nd Avenue and between 106^th and 108^th streets. The project is described as an opportunity for businesses such as restaurants, coffee shops, to “open up and integrate into green space”.

A local Edmonton blogger spearheaded this campaign which is on its third iteration. Struggling businesses are nominated to be adopted and people sign up and commit to spending a certain amount in the shop (i.e., $60). The list of shops represented 50% BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour)-Owned shops. In November 2020, 200 sign up spots were filled for #AdoptAShopYEG: ATB Neighbourhood Hop! At a $60 minimum spend per person, we’ll collectively spend $12,000 at 64 businesses across Edmonton. Patrons are also encouraged to post on social media. 

In the Downtown Eastside, Hastings and Powell streets are lined with vacant storefronts, dogged by the area’s social issues. The City of Vancouver is aiming to create policies that could potentially help reverse this trend.

The town also will erect 20-foot yurts and temporary “pavilion” structures. Tables will have QR codes that show menu options from 12 restaurants in the village center. Some of those restaurants will send wait staff to your gondola or yurt, as if you were being served in the restaurant. Some will be offering takeout meals only.

The province is also considering matching these reductions, which would provide small businesses with as much as $385 million in municipal and provincial property tax relief. This initiative is part of the 2020 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover.

Two websites currently list local businesses or artisans: Edmonton Made and Things That Are Open, which was created in response to COVID-19 pandemic. BIAs are looking for an online portal that could be a tweaked version of a directory, with listings that link to companies’ online shopping tools.  In addition, they are hoping for a campaign around ‘Shop Edmonton and support Edmonton businesses’

Well known and emerging artists and makers with a connection to Greater Manchester have curated original displays for venues across the city. From ceramics to fine art and photography to crafts, different artistic pieces will decorate 50 windows and walls across Manchester. You’ll find them in places such as bars, restaurants, museums and shops with a bee identifier symbol. This new public art trail will celebrate culture and the outdoors safely.

72 pages of how to create safe spaces for socially distanced outdoor gathering and shopping. Download the guide for free here: https://benchconsulting.co/winter-places/

Six new actions include:

• installations in the downtown area for the winter season designed to “add to the shopping experience”
• financial support for campaigns implemented by merchants’ groups and chambers of commerce
• adding $1.5 million to the Commercial Activities Consolidation Fund, designed to support small businesses to ensure they can increase the quality of services, including on the digital market and the physical development of their place of business.
• free on-street parking on weekends
• businesses can extend opening hours to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 7 p.m. on weekends from Nov. 14 to Dec. 31
• support and promotion to continue urban delivery for local merchants

Go to the Central Library to meet with a mental health professional and get immediate care for emotional or mental health challenges. This free service is available afternoons and evenings, on a drop-in basis.

In partnership with Wood’s Homes. This initiative is generously supported by the City of Calgary, RBC Foundation and donors of the Calgary Public Library Foundation. 

This report features their ideas. It includes creative policy recommendations from more than twenty experts. They received more than 40 concrete ideas grouped into five main areas;

• Design, build, and install winterized outdoor space for restaurants and retailers
• Rethink rules, regulations, and permitting around sidewalks, streets, and public space.
• Enlist New York business, design, and tech talent to help small businesses
• Provide microgrants and technical assistance to aid the transition to pop-up, online, and outdoor operations
• Tap vacant storefronts for land swaps, pop-ups, social infrastructure, and more

To generate such an economic recovery strategy, Heartland Forward (HF) has undertaken an extensive and detailed analysis of the NWA region’s strengths, challenges and opportunities. Our team has arrayed and assessed comprehensive data on its economy and industries, its small businesses and startup ecosystem, talent base, changing demographic composition and quality of place that stems from its arts, culture and recreation efforts and initiatives to develop a robust strategy for post-COVID-19 recovery.

By Ross DeVol, Richard Florida, Joel Kotkin and Dave Shideler

The City of Toronto and Ritual have partnered to launch Open for Business — a collaboration to help small businesses across Toronto increase online delivery sales while keeping their customers and staff safe. To encourage customers to order directly from restaurants, all restaurants using Ritual ONE’s delivery platform powered by DoorDash Drive will receive (2) weeks of free delivery from Monday, October 26th – Sunday, November 8th, 2020. With commission-free ordering platform Ritual ONE, businesses can be a part of the City of Toronto endorsed program, Open for Business.

On May 7, 2020, Council adopted the City’s Recovery Plan Framework. The framework is designed to help Mississauga address all aspects of the recovery from COVID-19 and is divided into four pillars for recovery: Community, Economic, Finance & Corporate. The framework sets out the principles for the development of five industry-specific economic recovery plans. These principles include a phased approach to recovery; finding every opportunity to help Mississauga businesses build back to better; and adopting an inclusive, whole community approach that leaves no one behind.

This plan was developed in consultation with other business support agencies such as the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, Peterborough DBIA, Community Futures Peterborough and Innovation Cluster – Peterborough & the Kawarthas, and hundreds of business responses received through direct calls and online surveys. It is an outline of activities that will be undertaken by a joint Economic Task Force led by the Mayor of the City of Peterborough and the Warden of the County of Peterborough to help the local business community adapt and rebuild this regional economy by working together.

The $110-million fund would help with job growth, business recovery and affordable housing because of cancellations, closures and job losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A staff report shows they plan to get the money by taking $10 million from the Economic Development Reserve, borrowing $20 million and selling surplus city-owned to get around $80 million. The fund is expected to last about a decade, until 2030. The money will be used for various projects to help residents and businesses get back on their feet. The city said its number one priority is affordable housing.

Should the Province permit temporary patios beyond January 1, the City will also permit the continuation of patios. The now extended patio program allows bar and restaurant operators the opportunity to offer food services on temporary outdoor patios city-wide and expanded sidewalks patios downtown Kitchener.  Since the launch of the patio program over 60 local operators have extended or added temporary outdoor patios to their establishments.