EDGE UP (Energy to Digital Growth Education and Upskilling Project) is a multi-stakeholder program launched in Calgary in 2019 to test new approaches to skills development for workers to re-engage with technology jobs being created in all sectors of Calgary’s economy. The EDGE UP 2.0 program is led by Calgary Economic Development and delivered in partnership with the Information and Communications Technology Council, University of Calgary Continuing Education, SAIT, Bow Valley College, Mount Royal University, and Riipen. The program targets professionals displaced from the structural change in the oil and gas sector. Students are trained for in-demand information technology jobs including data analysts, full-stack software developers, information technology project managers, cybersecurity analysts, UI/UX Designers, Digital Marketing, etc. Details on the NEW EDGE UP 2.0 program and how to apply will be available June 2021. 

The Bartenders Benevolent Fund is actively working with community members, industy organizations and our Board of Directors to create inclusive and empowering organizational policies, funding criteria and code of conduct. Considering the current impact of the novel COVID-19 on the hospitality industry, these processes are unfolding quickly and we continue to reevaluate on an ongoing basis.

This includes:

• The Building Retrofit Accelerator rebate program facilitates renovations to improve energy efficiency in commercial and institutional buildings.
• A solar rebate program to save up to $4,000 towards the installation of a solar electric system for their home
• A rebate for residential and property owners interested in installing a Level 2electric vehicle charging station
• an electric bike rebate program, which will let Edmontonians interested in buying an e-bike apply for rebates covering 30 per cent of the cost of the vehicle to a maximum of $750.

Toronto tech company ResQ has committed its services and resources to ensure that free meals are delivered to front-line workers and hospital employees by hiring restaurant staff that have been laid off.

Building Up is a small contractor non-profit that has maintained its operation throughout COVID-19 to provide reasonably-priced services as well as an equitable pre-apprenticeship program developed for those who face barriers in accessing employment.

Stella’s Circle offers housing, counselling and employment services to people who face many barriers to fully participating in their community. One of the initiatives of the organization is through its social enterprise, the Hungry Heart Cafe, which employs Stella’s Circle participants, providing them with food services training and experience. Customers of the Cafe have been invited to add $2 to their bill which goes towards a program referred to as Meals Squared. Individual, nutritious meals are then made available at no cost for participants. During the Stella’s Circle response to the pandemic, 1000 meals have been distributed to date. Stella’s Circle is also putting tech in the hands of homeless clients, in an effort to bridge the digital divide

The Housing Job Match website will connect British Columbians looking for work with non-profit housing and shelter organizations that need help.

The online platform helps connect Canadian tech job seeker with employers; provides industry resources to transition to tech/work from home, and serves as a place for industry supporters to share their services, sessions, resources, etc.

As governments look to use hotels as makeshift hospitals for some COVID-19 patients, the union representing Canada’s hospitality workers says their members want to help. The union estimates up to 250,000 hotel workers will lose their jobs and 90 per cent of Canada’s hotels will close down amid the COVID-19 crisis. It also says the hospitality industry will be one of the last sectors to recover.

Hundreds of idled city hall staff are expected to be redeployed for needed community projects in the coming days, after CUPE Local 543 leadership off

StayWell, a Toronto-based charity, has since last year helped patients who travel to Toronto for medical treatments find affordable places to stay. The charity partners with Sky View Suites to make hundreds of fully furnished units available for short-term rentals at a reduced price. With COVID-19 hitting all parts of the city and the province, the charity decided to expand this service to health-care providers.

In Winnipeg, library and recreation centre employees, whose jobs have become temporarily obsolete in an unexpected pandemic, are stocking shelves for Winnipeg Harvest, or filling sandbags to save homes prone to spring flooding.

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

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.

Established by the Toronto Arts Foundation and the Toronto Arts Council, this fund provides up to $1,000 in emergency relief for artists who are self employed and not eligible for EI through any other employer or any other bridge funding. The fund is open to artists who can demonstrate lost income due to cancellation of events, programs, workshops, classes, etc.

The April 2nd #ImpactCOVID virtual youth summit is a platform for youth to share how this ongoing crisis is impacting them and how the youth workforce development sector can better support them during this time.

A local LGBTQ+ bar in Kelowna is having B.C. drag queens deliver food and wine right to your door. By changing the business model and keeping employees safe the restaurant is offering delivery service, but with a twist.

Economic development departments from the Region of Niagara, the Cities of St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Port Colborne and Welland, and the Towns of Lincoln and Fort Erie have jointly launched the Niagara Economic Rapid Response Team to assess and plan for the needs of the business community in the region, in light of COVID-19.

Two dozen small business owners and small business experts provide recommendations on how city and state policymakers can help them survive this crisis for small business.

Funding is prioritized to people of colour, Indigenous people, transgender individuals, and members of other marginalized communities.

Camp Tech is running a series of free digital marketing webinars as part of the Ontario Digital Main Street Initiative, which helps businesses achieve digital transformation. The program is built around an online learning platform, structured training programs, and a digital service squad, who help main street businesses grow and manage their business through the adoption of digital tools and technology.

The Independent News Challenge is partnering with the Facebook Journalism Project to ensure $1 million fund reaches independent news outlets in Canada.

The Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance (GVPTA) is collecting data in order to better understand the impact COVID-19 has had on arts and culture organizations across the province. Aggregate data will be shared with funders, and arts service organizations for regional, provincial, and national reporting.

Roundhouse, an Edmonton-based social enterprise and co-working space is offering “virtual coworking” during COVID-19. As a community hub for entrepreneurs and changemakers, they are rolling out a new suite of online programming “Roundhouse From Home”. They will be offering online versions of our Roundhouse Learning Series, Waffle Wednesday and even daily coworking chats. Check out the full schedule for more information.

Startup Calgary has created a resource for the start-up community to navigate the impacts of COVID-19.

SaveSmallBusiness.ca is a grassroots coalition of small businesses across Canada united in their opposition to a debt-forward solution to the COVID-19 economic crisis. Suggestions include bailout plans, wage subsidies, grants, and other non-debt solutions.

A crowd-sourced list of employers who are hiring across Canada, organized by Unbounce, a Vancouver-based software company.

City of Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman announced a Mayor’s COVID-19 Business Task Force to help city businesses weather COVID-19, including the possibility of deferring property and business taxes.

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.

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