

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
Shop Old Town Toronto: A shop local campaign that splits prize money wins between individuals supporting local businesses & the local business
The St. Lawrence BIA and OLD Town have launched a support local campaign. Save & upload receipts of $25 or more (excluding delivery and tip) from local businesses February 8 – April 5, 2021, for multiple chances to win — $500 is for the shopper and $500 for a local business. In addition there is one grand prize of $2K to be split with local business. Prize money is donated by BMO bank
Municipal World podcast shares new city and community resources
Mary W. Rowe is a leading urban advocate and civil society leader who has worked in cities across Canada and the United States – and she is certainly no stranger to working with communities in crisis. She is currently the CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute, and joined this podcast to talk about important new resources available for municipalities.
Webinar series on adapting personally and professionally to COVID-19
The University of Laval’s Faculty of Business Administration is hosting a three-part webinar series with advice on how individuals and organizations can adapt to the crisis.
Resources for employees and downtown local businesses impacted by COVID-19
Edmonton’s Downtown BIA has compiled a list of resources for businesses impacted by the pandemic, as well as one for employees.
Health association of African Canadians updates on COVID-19
Health Association of African Canadians, NS Health Professionals and the Black Cultural Centre is providing interactive updates on COVID-19 and people of African descent
B.C. farmers markets launching online store during COVID-19 pandemic
The B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets is helping its 145 members set up digital shop. As part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Buy BC program, the province is providing funds to cover fees for individual farmers markets to join. Each participating farmers market will create its own virtual store to best serve its communities.
Saving Canada’s Main Streets From COVID-19.
Social distancing is devastating local small businesses and there’s not much time to save them. And the answer is not more debt.
COVID-19 emergency fund for journalists
National Geographic Society is launching an emergency fund for journalists all over the world who wish to cover COVID-19 within their own communities. This fund will place particular emphasis on delivering news to underserved populations, particularly where there is a dearth of evidence-based information getting to those who need it. They are interested in local and even hyper-local distribution models. This fund is designed to quickly deliver support so that both individual stories and longer series of content may be created.
Emergency food service delivers hot meals, food boxes across Mohawk community
Kahnawake is located south of Montreal and has positive cases of the virus. They launched an emergency food service that is providing hot meals twice a day for elders and those with limited mobility or dietary restrictions. An expansion of an existing food bank service also started delivering a food box to those struggling financially but who are able to cook for themselves.
Tourism Vancouver makes improvements to its website during COVID-19
The website now provides information and maps on open restaurants offering takeout/delivery across Vancouver
Aid Local not-for-profit initiative helping Canadian small businesses during COVID-19
The website includes a map and directory of businesses that have gift cards for sale or are delivering during the COVID-19 pandemic, to give people a way to support them during this time. Supported by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and the BBB of Southern Alberta.
The Ramara Public Library is offering new services to help those who want to obtain services during the closure of the library due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Offerings include online resources — from learning new languages and computer skills, to learning new hobbies, gardening, health, business, ebooks and audiobooks, emagazines, and a poetry contest!
Libraries in Toronto, Kitchener and Stratford loan 3D printers to hospitals to make face shields for healthcare workers
The Toronto Public Library just announced that they’re temporarily donating 10 of their Ultimaker 2+ 3D printers to a team at Toronto General Hospital making personal protective equipment (PPE) for front-line healthcare workers. Other Ontario libraries, such as those in Kitchener and Stratford, have also agreed to loan their 3D printers to PPE production efforts.
While Halifax Public Libraries are closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, their website continues to provide support
The Halifax public library site contains information on public health, links to e-books/audiobooks; resources for small business; tips on how to talk to children about COVID-19; and mental health tips and support
Toronto’s Largest Food Bank to Open Pop-Up Locations – in closed libraries & parking lots
Since the COVID-19 outbreak took hold of Toronto there’s been 20 percent growth in the number of clients making use of Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank over a span of the last two weeks. The pressure to provide food to new clients coupled with required social distancing has forced the food bank to change its operations in a dramatic way. They’ve partnered with GlobalMedic and set up a medical hospital mobile field tent in the food bank’s parking lot. Now the food comes out on a conveyor belt from inside the tent.
Alberta musicians deliver online self-isolation orchestral performance
Members of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) and Edmonton Symphony have combined to create one of their most viewed performances.After 66 Calgary musicians and an 18 staff members were temporary laid off, the group decided to reconnect for a virtual performance while in self-isolation.
Love for Local – New Brunswick is a Facebook site to support local businesses in NB during the COVID-19 pandemic
Looking to build a community of people who are looking to support local businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic (@loveforlocal)
Smart buildings harnessed for pandemic response: AI supports infection detection, remote operations and ongoing resilience
Smart buildings will play an increasingly important role to help detect and control their spread, facilitate the remote operation of buildings in lock down situations and interact with the grid to increase energy resiliency. Advanced applications, smart buildings and smart grids that offer trans active modes of generation and usage have the potential to increase safety and resiliency and increase the sustainable production and consumption of electricity.
Ten measures to support culture in the city in the face of COVID-19
The crisis generated by COVID-19 also affects the city’s cultural network. In Barcelona, ten city measures are being implemented to mitigate the effects and keep culture alive, with the Catalan and Spanish governments also being urged to implement others.
Health Association of African Canadians updates on COVID-19
Health Association of African Canadians, NS Health Professionals and the Black Cultural Centre will lead a 2nd interactive update on COVID-19 and people of African descent.
COVID-19 – Racial Equity & Social Justice Resources
COVID-19 Racial Equity & Social Justice has put together information to help communities and activists as they work to understand and respond to the moment and for the long term.
The Assembly of First Nations declares a state of emergency
Calling for increased resources for First Nations on a “needs and equity basis,” with specific consideration for northern, remote and isolated communities.
Campaign against increased Asian racism amid pandemic
A campaign by the Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice is calling attention to the spike in racism that Asian businesses and individuals have faced since the outbreak.
Volunteers help people in Toronto by bike
The Toronto Bike Brigade calls for volunteer bicycle riders in Toronto to help deliver goods to people unable to leave their homes
Emergency Bike Network in a Week: Quick response to rapidly changing mobility patterns
Emergency bike networks are proving integral for getting essential staff to get to their workplace safely, creating additional space on strained or non-existent networks for people maintain physical distancing. They also present an opportunity to trial future bike lane roll-out. Under normal conditions, it can take several months – and sometimes years – to develop a bike network, but these times call for quick measures.
PACE Society — a peer-driven organization located in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver is providing support for current and former sex workers of all genders
Funding is prioritized to people of colour, Indigenous people, transgender individuals, and members of other marginalized communities.
Indigenous doctors on strength, resilience in the face of pandemics
Indigenous communities have a shared history of colonialism and inter-generational trauma that can make COVID-19 more stressful.
Canadian Legion initiatives going strong in the midst of the pandemic
Highlighting how veterans are connecting to socialize, provide for those in need and support service needs
Twitter page run by veterans through the Royal Canadian Legion OSI Special Section where veterans can gather at a place and time to enjoy peer support over coffee
The initiative gives Veterans a chance to meet for coffee in a supportive setting, to socialize. With the new restrictions in place across the country, locations have moved their meetings online. Recently an online “Buddy Check Coffee” involved veterans serving from all over the globe calling in
Prince Edward County-based website updates residents on businesses offering products and services to the community.
Prepared by Dale Mugford, who works at Yeeboo Digital in Prince Edward County, the website is updated daily, directly from the business community and with partnership between local organizations
Webinar: New models of community-led housing in the EU
Urban Innovative Actions and URBACT are hosting an interactive web event on alternative community-led housing models and governance structures. While these organizations focus on fostering sustainable, integrated urban development in cities across Europe, the event will showcase collaborative approaches that could potentially apply in a Canadian context. The event promises to provide practical insights to inspire urban leaders and practitioners in taking action to meet residents’ rights to safe, adequate, and affordable housing.
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