The movement to take back Montreal’s streets for pedestrians during this time of social distancing is spreading rapidly across the city. From full-on car-free zones to family streets to superblocks, Montreal, like many cities around the world, is reimagining the use of public space during this pandemic at an unprecedented pace.

Radish enables restaurants, drivers and consumers on the platform to have a say in how the platform is operated. This is made possible by the cooperative nature, which means that each member is entitled to a vote in the direction of the organization. Restaurant delivery is being performed in an ethical and socially conscious manner.

Rules around temporary patios, sidewalk cafes and outdoor retail expansions are relaxed to create more space for customers in alignment with Alberta Health Services (AHS) guidelines. Until the end of 2020, businesses have the option to expand patio or retail space by following a set of guidelines and signing a declaration form.

Keys For Covid is a music project launched in May 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta. This project aims to raise donations and provide relief to Canadians most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. All proceeds will go towards supporting Canadian food banks (with a focus in Alberta and Ontario). Inspired by virtual music concerts like #CanadaTogether, Keys for Covid hopes to bring amateur artists & musicians together to create music, and make a positive impact.

S.H.I.N.E. (Support, Help in Nourishing Everyone) is a new food initiative started at the start of the COVID 19 Crisis in Brampton by a group of volunteers who wanted to help shine some light and help those struggling financially and physically during COVID 19

Grimsby’s Downtown Improvement Area (DIA) board – with support from the Town of Grimsby –is helping frontline staff. Every business in the DIA area will receive two face shields – with an option to acquire more – to help with employee and customer safety. These shields were made by a local retooled business

From Toronto’s Roncesvalles BIA, these signs can be put in the window of shops to clearly show their services

If you need help, just say “put it on my Friends’ Tab” at participating locations. Each location has a sign up about what’s covered (e.g. up to $10 or $20 of your grocery bill, one coffee and one food item at a local coffee shop, essential repair expertise and materials, etc.). If you want to donate to help a neighbour you can donate by adding it on to your purchase at participating locations or donating at FOKM.ca

Where possible, the companies the employees work for will match those donations.

Use the app to collect points, then redeem those points for discounts at locally-owned businesses. For instance, 50 points gets you $5 off your next purchase of $20 or more at the Dutch Bakery & Diner.

Listening to people helps keep them #healthyathome

By giving restaurants the tools to do it themselves, restaurants avoid the hefty commissions of current food delivery apps.

This grant will support the purchase of required safety equipment which must be installed prior to re-opening. Businesses can apply to receive a maximum of $500. Under the program, only commercial property and business owners within the Business Improvement Area (BIA) will be considered.

Leveraging Toronto’s technology community, the City of Toronto and Digital Main Street have brought together a range of partners to build and optimize online stores for Toronto’s independent businesses and artists at no-cost. Toronto’s independent small businesses and artists can access ShopHERE to get their online store built and launched with hands-on support throughout the entire process in just a matter of days.

The company is presenting a viable option for restaurants while UberEats faces backlash for steep fees and commissions.

Available to neighbourhood businesses such as bookstores, hardware stores, bakeries, fruit markets. Non-perishable products can be delivered using this new, safe and affordable home delivery service. Delivery people on bikes will pick up orders one to five times a day depending on volume, and deliver them directly to clients’ homes. Maximum cost per item is maximum $5+ tax. Items picked up before 1 p.m. are delivered that same afternoon, after 1 p.m. are delivered the following morning.

The Mayor suggests that temporary seating areas could become permanent, creating more animated spaces throughout the City. If this pilot program is successful, it can be part of building more people-oriented public spaces.

The simple device from a small Coquitlam fabrication company enables two people to carry out a transaction two metres apart.

While dining areas are closed, the platforms has gathered a list of many Toronto restaurants that continue to prepare food with Toronto’s signature diversity.

Support Retail is a free online directory that helps GTA shoppers find local small businesses OPEN for walk-in, pickup or delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A pilot project in Ottawa hopes to boost their chances with community crowdfunding, which has emerged as a vital tool for the social impact sector. Could it provide a model for Main Streets across Canada?

The resource offers a curated network of Ottawa’s best independent locally owned and operated restaurants offering responsible delivery.

The Facebook group links to google forms for dog walkers and dog owners looking for help.

The Community Outreach Centre has moved its operations to a local school’s gymnasium for the purpose of enhancing its capacity to provide vulnerable residents with services such as counselling, shower access and laundry facilities under the new health regulations of social distancing.

A PEI resident has organized an online activity in the form of a teddy bear hunt for parents and their children to drive to various location sites around the province (e.g. residential windowsills, mailboxes, or lawns).

A local chef supplying lunches for five schools has committed to preparing 100 meals weekly for children who have switched to online classrooms and who come from more difficult living situations.

The “Closed Door, Open Heart” initiatve was launched by the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology and Innovation to garner financial support from operating local businesses as well as those businesses whose operations have been halted.

Former Saugeen councillor co-founded the company “eSupply Canada Ltd.” which aspires to support Indigenous community members with supplies that will better secure their health and safety.

Survive and Thrive is piloted in community, with United Way Greater Victoria and Vancity covering program costs for over 20 organizations to participate in the program.