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
WIFF — the Windsor International Film Festival — is Canada’s largest volunteer-run film festival, selling over 43,000 paid tickets in 2019.
In 2020, due to the pandemic, WIFF cancelled its traditional festival and organized a drive-in event called WIFF Under The Stars. Selling out, the event attracted 7,000+ guests to safely enjoy films for adults and families alike.
Youth climate protest adapts to digital #ClimateStrikeOnline
The Fridays for Future movement, started by Greta Thunberg, will shift their national strike (April 3) to a digital strike due to COVID-19.
Halifax restaurant, Basha Restaurant invites anyone who’s struggling financially to come inside and have a free meal
The owners of a Halifax restaurant say the way the community embraced them when they first started has them feeling compelled to give back during this difficult time. All orders are take-out only and they have a strict one customer at a time policy.
Edmonton window art map encourages neighbours to decorate windows and participate in community ‘window walks’
Crowd-sourced #YEGWindowArt map calls on community members to join in on ‘window walks’ by decorating windows and adding them to the crowdsourced map, then enjoying a walk through the neighbourhood to see what others have put up.
Edmonton app reinvents itself to help people find groceries and supplies
The Edmonton-developed app Spontivly shows where supplies are available amid COVID-19 shortages.
Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations compiles COVID-19 resources
ECVO (Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations) has put together a resource outlining COVID-19 impacts on the sector
Edmonton Global launches a COVID-19 business resource page
Edmonton Global, an Economic Development Corporation in the Edmonton Metro Region, launched a COVID-19 business resource page to help businesses navigate the tools and programs announced by Canada and Alberta.
Resident Facebook group matches people in need with those who can help
This Facebook page serves as a hub to support members of the Charlotte County community impacted by COVID-19. The page enables residents to post about what they need, and other residents to volunteer resources.
Site Web axé sur les bénévoles avec des ressources COVID-19 dans le sud de l’île de Vancouver
Le personnel et les bénévoles de Community Micro Lending, un petit organisme sans but lucratif qui aide les entrepreneurs locaux dans le sud de l’île de Vancouver, ont créé un site Web avec des ressources pour les membres de la collectivité pendant coVID-19.
Volunteer-driven website with COVID-19 resources in southern Vancouver Island
Staff and volunteers at Community Micro Lending, a small non-profit helping local entrepreneurs on southern Vancouver Island, created a website with resources for community members during COVID-19.
Une association de quartier compile l’information, les ressources et les possibilités d’offrir l’assitance
La North Park Neighbourhood Association de Victoria a compilé une liste d’information, de ressources et de possibilités d’offrir de l’aide, et a recueilli des noms de personnes prêtes à offrir des services aux personnes vulnérables de notre collectivité afin que si/quand nous soyons alertés par des organismes ou des individus, nous puissions mobiliser rapidement les soins.
Neighbourhood association compiles information, resources, and opportunities to offer assitance
The North Park Neighbourhood Association in Victoria compiled a list of information, resources and opportunities to offer assistance, and gathered names of people willing to offer services to the vulnerable folks in our community so that if/when we are alerted by any organizations or individuals we can mobilize care quickly.
Caremongering: COVID-19 Coming Together (Victoria/Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ Lands)
Victoria/Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ Lands-based Facebook Group for fostering community, offering support and resources, sharing opportunities/events that may be helpful to support community members, and organizing and staying connected to ensure vulnerable community members have access to food, housing, healthcare, and other necessities. The space is also for the redistribution of resources, and for people to post about any needs for support (emotional or physical or otherwise).
Asian Unification Project supports the most vulnerable in Toronto and Vancouver during COVID-19
Resource supports seniors, immunocompromised people, and disabled people in the Asian community with grocery delivery and errands. The website is in English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese, with more languages to come.
Members of Vancouver’s hospitality community create online hub to share which restaurants in five provinces are offering take-out, delivery, meal prep, curbside pickup, grocery and more
Breaking Bread serves as a central online hub to share which restaurants across British Columbia and beyond are offering DELIVERY, TAKE-OUT, CURB-SIDE PICK-UP, MEAL PREP, GROCERY and MORE, as well as many other ways to show support.
Vancouver resident creates an open plain language directory on financial resources for Canadians
List of Financial Resources Available to Assist Canadians (individuals, families, and businesses) through #COVID19. Prepared by Hilary Kilgour
Vancouver-based design studio launches website listing initiatives to keep community connected during COVID-19
Currently the website features initiatives in Vancouver.
Facebook Group: COVID-19 Coming Together (Vancouver)
Impromptu group of community members create mutual aid network for Vancouver, through Facebook. The group is intended to share resources, offers support, shows solidarity for healthcare workers and the vulnerable, builds community, and amplify social movements.
The group’s Google Drive of resources and instructions for starting a neighbourhood hub is available here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ZeHnTyGW_W3at_iN9S6H7wgnU8KGeyPG
The group also launches a fundraiser to support vulnerable residents with a survival fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-covid19-coming-together-vancouver
Local organizers and artists in Vancouver create website for solidarity and resource exchange
The prototype website connects people offering help and support to people who need it. The website supports mutual aid efforts and resource exchange projects like Mutual Aid for Metro Vancouver and COVID-19 Coming Together.
City of Vancouver shares map of public facilities that remain open and welcoming to all, especially those needing to access washrooms
The City of Vancouver shared a map of public facilities, including community centres, remain open and welcoming to all, especially those who need access to washrooms.
Caremongering Vancouver
Vancouver-based Facebook Group for fostering community, offering support and resources, sharing opportunities/events that may be helpful to support community members, and organizing and staying connected to ensure vulnerable community members have access to food, housing, healthcare, and other necessities. The space is also for the redistribution of resources, and for people to post about any needs for support (emotional or physical or otherwise).
Community-sourced COVID-19 Toronto app
A collaborative app with information, resources, ideas, and support networks made by a group of Torontonians. Find ways to get help, get assistance, and have fun in the spirit of community.
Toronto-based LGBTQ bookstore sets up emergency fund to help LGBTQ2S artists, performers, and tip-based workers
Glad Day (Toronto-based LGBTQ bookstore) sets up emergency fund to help LGBTQ2S artists, performers & tip-based workers. The fund is meant to swiftly help LGBTQ2S people who cannot pay for food, medicine, rent, and necessities because most of their income doesn’t come from an employer.
Caremongering Stouffville
Stouffville-based Facebook Group for fostering community, offering support and resources, sharing opportunities/events that may be helpful to support community members, and organizing and staying connected to ensure vulnerable community members have access to food, housing, healthcare, and other necessities. The space is also for the redistribution of resources, and for people to post about any needs for support (emotional or physical or otherwise).
Caremongering Saskatoon
Saskatoon-based Facebook Group for fostering community, offering support and resources, sharing opportunities/events that may be helpful to support community members, and organizing and staying connected to ensure vulnerable community members have access to food, housing, healthcare, and other necessities. The space is also for the redistribution of resources, and for people to post about any needs for support (emotional or physical or otherwise).
Quebec offers free emergency daycare for healthcare workers
Quebec is providing free emergency daycare services for the preschool and elementary-aged children of healthcare providers and other workers in essential services’ as the province implements measures to contain COVID-19.
Caremongering St-Lazare, Hudson, Rigaud, Vaudreuil
St-Lazare, Hudson, Rigaud, Vaudreuil-based Facebook Group for fostering community, offering support and resources, sharing opportunities/events that may be helpful to support community members, and organizing and staying connected to ensure vulnerable community members have access to food, housing, healthcare, and other necessities. The space is also for the redistribution of resources, and for people to post about any needs for support (emotional or physical or otherwise).
L’agence de transport en commun d’Ottawa renonce aux tarifs en espèces pour imposer l’embarquement par porte dérobée d’autobus
L’agence de transport en commun d’Ottawa souhaite que tous les clients montent à bord d’autobus conventionnels aux portes arrière, à l’exception des personnes qui doivent utiliser les portes avant à des fins d’accessibilité, ce qui a une incidence sur les revenus normalement perçus des tarifs en espèces. OC Transpo affirme qu’elle n’acceptera pas les transferts en espèces ou en papier puisqu’il n’existe aucun mécanisme permettant d’accepter ces tarifs aux portes dérobées.
Ottawa public transit agency forgoes cash fares in mandating backdoor boarding of buses
Ottawa’s public transit agency wants all customers to board conventional buses at the rear doors, except for people who need to use the front doors for accessibility purposes, impacting revenue normally received from cash fares. OC Transpo says it won’t be accepting cash or paper transfers since there is no mechanism to accept those fares at the back doors.
La Ville de Toronto offre des services de garde gratuits aux travailleurs essentiels
À compter du 30 mars, la Ville de Toronto offrira des services de garde gratuits de 24 à 7 ans aux enfants jusqu’à l’âge de 12 ans pour tout travailleur jugé essentiel par la province.
City of Toronto offers free childcare for essential workers
Beginning March 30, City of Toronto will offer free child care on a 24-7 basis for children up to age 12 for any worker deemed essential by the province