STATEMENT FROM EPILEPSY CANADA RE: THE COVID-19 COALITION
Epilepsy Canada stands with over 200 of Canada’s leading charities advocating the Federal Government for emergency support to face the COVID-19 crisis. We are inspired to hear JustinTrudeau’s recognition of charities & our calls for support in his COVID-19 address. We are ready to work together for a sector-wide strategy.
TORONTO, March 25, 2020 — The leaders of over 200 Canadian charities have written a letter to the Government of Canada asking for urgent financial support to prevent the irreparable collapse of the sector, and their vital programs, due to the COVID-19 crisis. Canada’s charities are a critical part of the Canadian economy, contributing more than eight percent to Canada’s GDP ($162 billion in 2017) and employing more than ten percent (1.4 million) of working Canadians.
Without immediate support from the federal government, most Canadian charities will have to lay off massive numbers of employees, greatly impeding their ability to support vulnerable people and communities. Many are facing a very real threat of permanent closure.
The Emergency Coalition of Canadian Charities, which includes War Child, United Way, the Canadian Cancer Society, YMCA, Indspire, Kids Help Phone, Community Food Centres Canada, Women’s Shelters Canada, Covenant House, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, Heart and Stroke Foundation, and Epilepsy Canada, among many others, is recommending the following:
Dr. Samantha Nutt, Founder and President of War Child Canada said: “The impact of current events on charities cannot be overstated. Few charities have the financial reserves and access to capital that will allow them to stay afloat through this pandemic. It is a brutal irony that as vulnerable groups in Canada and around the world are confronting the social hardship and economic fallout of COVID-19, charities who might support and assist them are struggling themselves to figure out how they will continue to resource their operations, employ their staff and provide vital support to vulnerable people.”
Gary Collins, President of Epilepsy Canada said: “Medical research has been deemed essential work. Its discoveries have a clear and direct impact on our daily lives. Funding research means improved health for Canadians, more effective treatments, lives saved and a strong healthcare system. We strive to support the neurology community to find new treatments and an eventual cure across prominent Canadian Hospitals and Universities. We are calling for sustained and coordinated action from the Canadian government to increase investment in the non-profit sector and we support the efforts of our charitable partners in this new Coalition.”
TORONTO, March 25, 2020 — The leaders of over 200 Canadian charities have written a letter to the Government of Canada asking for urgent financial support to prevent the irreparable collapse of the sector, and their vital programs, due to the COVID-19 crisis. Canada’s charities are a critical part of the Canadian economy, contributing more than eight percent to Canada’s GDP ($162 billion in 2017) and employing more than ten percent (1.4 million) of working Canadians.
Without immediate support from the federal government, most Canadian charities will have to lay off massive numbers of employees, greatly impeding their ability to support vulnerable people and communities. Many are facing a very real threat of permanent closure.
The Emergency Coalition of Canadian Charities, which includes War Child, United Way, the Canadian Cancer Society, YMCA, Indspire, Kids Help Phone, Community Food Centres Canada, Women’s Shelters Canada, Covenant House, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, Heart and Stroke Foundation, and Epilepsy Canada, among many others, is recommending the following:
- The immediate establishment of an emergency $10 billion stabilization fund that will allow charities to survive, retain staff, cover critical expenses, and continue essential, frontline operations during the pandemic;
- Loan guarantees to Canada’s banks to ensure that charitable organizations have easy access to urgent, substantial short term low- or no-interest loans to support their operations;
- Increase the Charitable Donation Tax Credit through to the end of 2021 from 50% to 75% (in line with the rate that is provided for political donations) to encourage Canadians to donate;
- Continue to flow already-contracted funds to charities and allow for maximum flexibility and re-budgeting as charities struggle to deliver and/or redesign their programs in the wake of COVID-19; and
- Ensure that charities have access to the same recovery programs that businesses do at every step.
- These measures will help ensure Canada’s charitable sector survives and can continue providing vital support to vulnerable Canadians and families hit hard by COVID-19. These recommendations are also in line with those being advocated by Imagine Canada.
Dr. Samantha Nutt, Founder and President of War Child Canada said: “The impact of current events on charities cannot be overstated. Few charities have the financial reserves and access to capital that will allow them to stay afloat through this pandemic. It is a brutal irony that as vulnerable groups in Canada and around the world are confronting the social hardship and economic fallout of COVID-19, charities who might support and assist them are struggling themselves to figure out how they will continue to resource their operations, employ their staff and provide vital support to vulnerable people.”
Gary Collins, President of Epilepsy Canada said: “Medical research has been deemed essential work. Its discoveries have a clear and direct impact on our daily lives. Funding research means improved health for Canadians, more effective treatments, lives saved and a strong healthcare system. We strive to support the neurology community to find new treatments and an eventual cure across prominent Canadian Hospitals and Universities. We are calling for sustained and coordinated action from the Canadian government to increase investment in the non-profit sector and we support the efforts of our charitable partners in this new Coalition.”