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For general inquiries, please contact info@cfig.ca. For questions regarding press releases or media content, please contact marketing@cfig.ca.
With the outbreak of COVID-19, here are some resources below that you may find useful. We have also posted some important links to other sites that offer additional tools, updates, guidance documents and more: https://revised.cfig.ca/blog/2020/03/13/business-links-for-covid19/
Please continue to consult the CFIG website daily, as there will additional updates and information for members that will be helpful in your businesses.
ALBERTA GOVERNMENT
- Non-healthcare Workplace Guidance During COVID-19 document https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/covid-19-non-healthcare-workplace-guidance.pdf
- Support for Employers and Employee page: https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-support-for-employers.aspx/
BC’s Restart Plan : https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/bc-restart-plan
BC Farm, Fish & Food Job Connector – There are work opportunities for everyone. Whether you’re an experienced worker or new to the sector, there’s a job for you
WorkSafeBC – COVID-19 and returning to safe operation : https://www.worksafebc.com/en/about-us/covid-19-updates/covid-19-returning-safe-operation
BUSINESS SUPPORTS
BDC – https://www.bdc.ca/en/pages/home.aspx
Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Pandemic Preparedness for Business
English: http://www.chamber.ca/resources/pandemic-preparedness/
French: http://www.chamber.ca/fr/ressources/preparation-a-une-pandemie/
Canadian Federation of Independent Business – keeping you and your employees safe
English: https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/tools-resources/covid-19-coronavirus-business
French: https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/fr/ressources/covid-19-coronavirus-entreprises
Council of Canadian Innovators – COVID-19 Slack Channel (you must create an account)
English: http://bit.ly/COVID19SlackChannel
Facebook Business Resource Hub to support small businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak. This includes a Small Business Resilience Toolkit.
World Health Organization COVID-19 – Business and Employees
English: https://www.epi-win.com/advice-and-information/business-and-employees
CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY (CFIA) – Questions & Concerns
COMPETITION BUREAU CANADA – Statement from the Commissioner of Competition regarding enforcement during the COVID-19 coronavirus situation
IN-STORE SUPPLIERS/RESOURCES
Cleaning/Sanitation/Janitorial
- United Services Group – United Services Group has a long-standing tradition of quality, passion, and pride in our janitorial and cleaning services.
- ICS – https://www.icsclean.ca/(Head office in BC)
- The Carter Benette Group – https://www.carterbenette.com/ (Head office – Concord, ON)
- Affinity Integrated Facility Solutions – https://affinityifs.com/ (offices in Toronto and London)
- Hard Surface Disinfectants approved list (cart/basket disinfecting, etc.): https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/disinfectants/covid-19/list.html
Face Shields
- Williams & White Health – website: https://www.williamsandwhitehealth.com/copy-of-covid-19-face-shield See PDF for product photos
Hand Sanitizers (SEE FULL APPROVED LIST: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/disinfectants/covid-19/hand-sanitizer.html
- Frontline Hand Sanitizer – Maverick Distillery are answering the call, and diverting much of our production to manufacturing Hand Sanitizer.
65% alcohol based. View Price List Here. Contact Info for purchase inquiries: Sharon Hotten – sharon@milleniumgroup.ca; Download Information Sheet (PDF) for in-store use AND verified in-store resale
PPE(Personal protective equipment), Infrared Thermometers, Foggers (disinfecting stores)
- Med Supply: provides all PPE (KN95, N95, Gowns, Coveralls, fogger) See PDF Brochure for details. Contact: Raz Tram, VP Client services, Tel: 289-339-4440
- Justin Poy Agency (JPA) – From hand sanitizer to Level 1 and Level 2 masks and KN95 respirators from the world’s largest manufacturers, JPA is a one-stop solution for all your PPE needs. See PDF here for details to purchase please email: ppe@justinpoy.com
- Mark’s Commercial – Sanitizers, Face Masks, Shields – for more information please view: See PDF here for details For orders and inquiries please visit: https://www.markscommercial.com/en-ca/orderppe
- Chens Entreprise Corporation – PPE products are Health Canada approved. For example, our Medical masks, unlike those Face masks on the street, are medical grade -Contact:905-624-1188; email: chens@chensec.com; supplychain@chensec.com; pickup address:5830 Coopers Ave. See PDF PPE Wholesale Flyer
- T-Zone Health – a family-owned Canadian company with over 20 years of experience. We are original suppliers and can beat anyone on the market. See PPE Catalogue. For more details on pricing and availability please contact: Sarah Aboody at sarah@t-zonehealth.com or 416-285-6055 ext. 249.
Sneeze Guard Suppliers
- Total Signs: www.totalsigns.ca (sneeze guards on home page) PDF here
- STM Displays: www.stmdisplays.com (for sneeze guards go here -> https://stmdisplays.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=CV19SG01)
Social Distancing Stickers/Floor Decals
- Art Soft Expo Solutions Inc. – Download PDF HERE
Staffing
- STAFFY -is an on-demand Staffing platform with operations in Toronto and the GTA, Vancouver and the GVA, Montreal and Ottawa. With over 20,000 highly qualified, skilled contractors ready at a moments’ notice to support your business. Your stores can post shifts and hire flexible staff at the rate they choose, with no HR overhead or delay. They have introduced reduced regular rates during the pandemic and have self-screening COVID-19 procedures for all contractors in place.For more information, and to sign up, visit www.Staffy.com, or download the app in the Appstore. Alternatively, you may email info@staffy.com or call/text: 647-492-7823
Telecommunications
- TELUS –Exclusive CFIG member discounts. Click here to receive your offer codes and be connected to a TELUS Business expert. As the situation around COVID-19 continues to evolve, we would like to share some details about how our team is responding and continuing to support your business. Read more
Thermal cameras
- Commercial Business Services: Provides smart thermal cameras that link to an existing IP security system to trace the interactions of someone with a fever, thereby limiting the spread and duration of an infection. This illness monitoring and contact tracing can all be accomplished without compromising privacy. Tel: 416-464-1238; websites:https://thermalcameraexpert.com https://devafightscovid.com and http://commercialbusiness.services Download PDF
Workplace PPE Supplier Directory
Review a list of companies that sell personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies to keep your employees and customers safe from COVID-19 on the Government of Ontario “Ontario Together” website. Read more.
EMPLOYER HOTLINE – Employer toll free line is: 1-800-367-5693.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Covid-19 Updates
FOOD PREMISES Amendments
GARDEN CENTRES – FLOWERS CANADA – Document on Recommended Social Distancing Protocols
and Procedures for Garden Centers
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA | COVID-19 webpage (includes key updates, guidance documents and information for employees on symptoms)
English: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
French: https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-publique/services/maladies/maladie-coronavirus-covid-19.html
Advice for essential retailers during COVID-19 pandemic
Governments Invest $2.5 Million to Grow Agri-food e-Business During COVID-19
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA COVID-19 ECONOMIC RESPONSE PLAN: Support for Canadians and businesses
• Prime Minister outlines Canada’s COVID-19 response
• Government of Canada takes action on COVID-19
• Canada outlines measures to support the economy and the financial sector
Prime Minister Announces Supports for Small Businesses facing impacts of COVID-19 ||French Press release
PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU’S FULL REMARKS
PDF – Backgrounder on Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses
Canada outlines measures to support the economy and the financial sector
INSIGHTS & ANALYSIS
- IGD Resources for Food Retailers & Manufacturers – news items are open to view and track developments globally, ideas of what retailers are doing elsewhere
Shopper insight and supply chain insight into this area.
Here’s a piece on UK shopper sentiment – https://shoppervista.igd.com/articles/article-viewer/t/coronavirus-covid-19-the-shopper-reaction/i/24549
MANUALS
- CFIG Crisis Manual -The purpose of this manual is to assist members of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) in preparing for and managing a crisis situation. PDF download
- FMI Coronavirus and Pandemic Preparedness for the Food Industry – This document is specifically designed to help food retailers, wholesalers and suppliers undertake the necessary contingency planning to prepare for a pandemic. PDF Download
FOR ONTARIO RETAILER MEMBERS
ONTARIO TOGETHER – Ontario Government is launching Ontario Together, a new website that will help businesses and their employees work with the province to meet the challenges of COVID-19
Extension of permitted retail alcohol sale hours
Frequently asked questions about essential businesses
Governments Invest $2.5 Million to Grow Agri-food e-Business During COVID-19
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs – Letter & List of Essential Workplaces
Ministry of Health Guidance for Food Premises Best Practices – Guidance sheet PDF
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade – compendium of resources and information PDF HERE
Ontario Food Terminal COVID-19 Protocol – Revised
Ontario’s mandatory COVID-19 Screening Tool for workplaces-UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2020
Amendments to the Food Premises Regulation
More Frontline Workers Eligible for Emergency Childcare
Ontario Providing Employers with Workplace Safety Guidelines
Health & Safety Association Guidance Documents for Workplaces During the Covid-19 Outbreak
Workplace PPE Supplier Directory
PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA – QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Over the last couple of weeks, some members have put COVID-19 related questions to us to bring forward to the Public Health Agency/CFIA. Some of those questions have been answered, while others are still being circulated within the PHAC. As this is a new virus, answers cannot always be given immediately and need review. However, we will post the responses from PHAC as they come in. READ QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA – Updated July 10, 2020
There are a number of updated resources available on our website for the public, as well as for health professionals, including our Outbreak Update and the COVID-19 Virtual Assistant: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Your organization may also be interested in:
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Guidance documents
For communities
For health professionals
For businesses
For industry
For death care services
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Awareness resources
-
- UPDATED! For travellers without symptoms of COVID-19 returning to Canada
- UPDATED! For travellers with COVID-19 symptoms returning to Canada
- UPDATED! For persons exempt from mandatory quarantine due to COVID-19
- COVID-19: Testing and reducing stigma
- About COVID-19
- Know the Facts about COVID-19
- How to care for a child with COVID-19 at home: Advice for caregivers
- People who are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19
- Help reduce the spread of COVID-19
On behalf of the Public Health Agency of Canada, thank you for your organization’s support in sharing credible information and guidance on Coronavirus to a range of professionals and the public. We greatly appreciate your efforts.
Email address: phac.hpoc.stakeholders-partiesprenantes.cops.aspc@canada.ca
The latest information and the status of measures in Canada are posted on Canada.ca/coronavirus or available to the public through the Coronavirus Information Line (1-833-784-4397). The website is available in English, French and simplified Chinese.
PREVENTION & RISKS – Government of Canada website
- Guidance for Retail Stores (Groceries & Pharmacies) – Social Distancing PDF download
- Social Distancing Graphics – PDF and graphics files to download
- Preventing COVID-19 in the Workplace: employers, employees and essential service workers
- PDF Download – CFIG website
- Guidance: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/preventing-covid-19-workplace-employers-employees-essential-service-workers.html
- Tool: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/guidance-documents/risk-informed-decision-making-workplaces-businesses-covid-19-pandemic.html
PROVINCIAL – LIST OF PUBLIC HEALTH CENTRES/UNITS
STAFFING/ HR – Employment Insurance and Labour and Occupational Health and Safety
(COVID-19) – Employment and Social Development Canada
English: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html
French: https://www.canada.ca/fr/emploi-developpement-social/ministere/avis/coronavirus.html
Preventing COVID-19 in the workplace: Advice for employers, employees and essential service workers – PDF Download
SUPPLIER / MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATIONS
- Measures taken by the Canadian Meat Industry to Protect Against COVID-19 -English fact sheet HERE; French fact sheet HERE
- Canada Beef Retail Resources
- Egg Producers – Letters from Burnbrae, LH Gray & Sons, EYKing Farms – Price increase pushed back
- Dairy Farmers of Canada
- Dairy Farmers of Canada – Consumer Limits-Supply
- Moneris
- Ontario Food Terminal Covid-19 Protocol
- Tree of Life
COVID-19 Contact Information
Phone: 1-833-784-4397 (Interpretation services are available in multiple languages)
Email: phac.info.aspc@canada.ca
PHAC’s COVID-19 subscription for Public Health Updates:
PHAC Information on risk assessments for mass gatherings
[box fontsize=”14″ radius=”10″]NEW SUPPLIER OFFERINGS FOR ONTARIO RETAILERS[/box]
Over the course of the last week or so, we have heard concerns from our members with respect to supply issues in certain areas. We have of course been conveying those concerns to both the Federal government and provinces. However, the other track we have on, is to reach out and help facilitate contact with a number of suppliers that could help provide product to our members. Particularly with the drop in demand in the foodservice and restaurant sectors, there are opportunities available and a chance to perhaps develop longer term relationships. We have put the names and information arising from our discussions with these companies on our website and we urge you to also review this area when you check in for daily updates. Webpage: https://revised.cfig.ca/blog/2020/03/26/supplier-offerings-for-retailers/
BAKERY/BAKED GOODS
FUTURE BAKERY – Future Bakery is a 3rd generation family business. We take pride in using all natural ingredients in our bakery and our breads are still traditionally handmade. We are happy to serve any customer who needs bread. Our Bread distribution area is from Kitchener to Oshawa and north to Barrie. We do a wide arrangement of breads. Contact Marisa at sales@futurebakery.com
FOODSERVICE
FLANAGAN FOODSERVICE – With over 10,000 products, Flanagan Foodservice is the largest Canadian owned, independent food distributor in the country. Serving all of Ontario, distribution is organized in three locations across Ontario: Kitchener, Whitby and Sudbury. Our fleet of over 90 multi-temp vehicles use a sophisticated transportation system to deliver over 10,000 different food and supply products from both local and nationally branded suppliers.We have 3 warehouses full of products and there is nothing we would love more than to help you meet your customers’ needs during this crisis. The only hitch is that our products tend to be big foodservice packs. We have set up a dedicated web page where you can request to be contacted by someone from my team to learn more about how we can help you out. See listings and more info here.
GORDON FOOD SERVICE – We are in the process of assigning teams across Canada to look after your team in each division but wanted to follow up with the product list I was thinking made sense. Please have a look at the attached.file (CFIG Guide)
My thought is that we would offer the same markup structure to any of your members at 6% on protein items, 8% on all other items. We would provide a low minimum order size of $500 and 2 drops per week or as needed.
While we are waiting for our folks across the country to put their teams together I was hoping we could reach out to the stores here in Ontario. We are looking to move out some perishable goods including some dairy and produce at significant discounts that they may want to jump on. I will attach a copy of what we are blowing out including shelf remaining.(See: CFIG Blowout) | Contact: Matt Bryce | matt.bryce@gfs.com; Office (800)268-0159 ext. 43853 | mobile (647) 467-7098
DUCK
KING COLE DUCKS – Offering a wide selection of retail duck items from raw ready-to-cook as well as fully cooked-heat and servw. We have a steady, reliable supply that remains an affordable choice for Canadians from a 100%-owned and -operated family business. Visit: https://kingcoleducks.com/our-story/ Contact: Patricia Thompson; C:905-955-2220; E: pthompson@kingcoleducks.com
MEAT & POULTRY
TILLSONBURG CUSTOM FOODS – Tillsonburg Custom Foods is a federally inspected, Halal accredited, HAACP plant with over 30,000 square feet of the latest and most innovative machinery in the poultry industry. We specialize in poultry products, however, we are also licensed to formulate, blend and process beef and pork for specific customer projects. See full product price offering list HERE. Website: http://tcfoods.ca/ Contact: Mike Hurley; C: 519 281 8000; E: mhurley@tcfoods.ca
MEAT & POULTRY ONTARIO– Earlier today, CFIG and Meat & Poultry Ontario discussed the issue of supply and access to this supply, for our independent grocer members. The discussion was very positive and there are definitely many shared concerns between our two organizations. Meat & Poultry Ontario represents independent meat and poultry producers and distributors across the Province. The Executive Director of the organization, Franco Naccarato, has agreed to allow us to share his contact information with CFIG members. If you send him an e-mail, indicating your store(s) location, Franco will facilitate contact with one of the distributors in their network who services your region. We hope this is of help to you in this current situation. Email: franco@MeatPoultryON.ca
PACKAGED FOODS
SPUDNIKS – Eat. Love. Snack. Offerings include Kettle Chips, Popcorn. PDF sell sheet Visit: www.spudniks.com Contact: Rich Amar; rich@spudniks.com; Cell: (416) 802-3287
