Here are 11 Canadian businesses stepping up during the coronavirus outbreak | The Post Millennial
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Here are 11 Canadian businesses stepping up during the coronavirus outbreak
There have been shortages of almost every material necessary to continue the fight against COVID-19. And instead of deferring all responsibility to the national government, Canada’s private sector has taken matters into its own hands.
There have been shortages of almost every material necessary to continue the fight against COVID-19. Ottawa has asked Canadian manufacturers and business owners to ramp up their efforts to help fight the spread of coronavirus and to bolster Canada's medical infrastructure and Canada’s private sector is rising to the challenge.
1. Labatt Breweries
Labatt Breweries has declared their intent to provide 50,000 bottles of hand sanitizer for Food Banks Canada.
Ashley Freeborn, founder of the Vancouver-based fashion brand Smash + Tess, heard about their customer’s disappointment in feeling powerless at a time when everyone has effectively been forced indoors. “People were sending us a lot of notes, saying they were feeling alone, wanting to help,” Freeborn said, according to the Vancouver Sun.
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In response, the fashion company decided to answer the call of their customers. “Using Instagram Live, Smash + Tess—@smashtess on Instagram—hosted a three-hour romper party on Saturday evening.” The initial goal was to raise $15,000, but Freeborn managed to raise $20,000.
Freeborn said the party had elements of an “old-school telethon.”
Knix, a Canada-based lingerie and shapewear company, has started a GoFundMe to provide personal protective equipment to those working on the frontlines against the virus. They have, at the time of this writing, raised just shy of $35,000, with a goal of $50,000.
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According to their GoFundMe page, “We know that hospitals and frontline workers are running low on key PPE items (masks, gowns and gloves) that are crucial to ensure their safety and ability to continue working and help us fight COVID-19.”
6. & 7. Metro and Loblaws
Metro and Loblaws have moved to increase wages for all their grocery store and distribution centre workers by $2. Grocery store employees are among those who are still required to report to work, despite the national call for social distancing.
The raise is set to last until May 2nd, according to The Star.
8. Annex Ale Project
Distillers across the country have banded together to produce tens of thousands of bottles of hand sanitizer, as supplies have run short.
In Calgary, Annex Ale Project be producing hand sanitizer. In making beer, ethanol, glycerol, and hydrogen peroxide are all produces. These are three necessary components of hand sanitizer.
Crosscut Distillery is turning their distillery into a hand sanitizer manufacturing facility fulfill needs in Sudbury, Ontario.
10. Top Shelf Distillery
In Perth, Top Shelf Distillery is pivoting quickly to meet the needs of Canadians. They've launched an indiegogo campaign to help fund their efforts. Their normal fare is vodka and London style gin, as well as bitters and moonshine.
In Almonte, the Dairy Distillery, which usually makes liquor from dairy from milk, is stepping up to provide their locality with this much needed tool to fight COVID-19.
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