The CMA Foundation (CMAF) is announcing today a $10 million donation to address the needs of vulnerable populations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in communities across Canada.
Through a strategic collaboration with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), the CMAF is donating funds directly to municipalities to support their efforts to reach, protect and assist their most vulnerable residents — including those experiencing homelessness, food insecurity and mental health and substance use challenges.
“The pandemic is increasing the pressures and risks already experienced by Canada’s most vulnerable people,” says Allison Seymour, CMAF president. “At the CMAF, we’re committed to supporting the health of Canadians and the communities we live in. We’re so pleased to be able to make a donation that will help address the most critical needs in municipalities across Canada.”
“FCM welcomes this donation and understands the impact it will have in communities across Canada,” said Bill Karsten, FCM President. “As frontline governments, municipalities see first-hand where and how this pandemic hits hardest, and they know how to effectively direct these funds in order to get tangible results. This initiative will empower them to better reach, protect and assist the most vulnerable among us—including those experiencing homelessness or grappling with mental health and substance use challenges.”
The COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Vulnerable Populations will go toward items such as:
- creating dedicated spaces to support physical distancing measures;
- medical and support services for people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges;
- community food programs;
- personal protective equipment for community support workers; and
- other measures designed to build community resiliency and support sustainable recovery.
Today’s announcement builds on another sizeable contribution made by the CMAF to front-line health workers, hospitals and family medicine; on Apr. 21, it announced an unprecedented $20 million donation to support urgent needs within the health care system through targeted grants.