YMCA Canada 1867 Yonge Street Suite 601 Toronto, ON M4S 1Y5 416-967-9622 ymca.ca Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, PC, MP Prime Minister of Canada House of Commons Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 March 17, 2020 Dear Prime Minister, I am writing with regard to your announcement yesterday concerning the federal government’s response to the Covid-19 situation. We understand and appreciate the challenges presented by this rapidly evolving situation. YMCA Canada, and charities and nonprofits across the country are following this situation closely. As community-based service providers, many organizations are on the front line, serving critical needs that tend to be exacerbated in times of crisis. Charities and nonprofits also collectively employ 2.4 million Canadians and own/operate community facilities across Canada and are therefore extremely concerned about the health and safety of their staff, volunteers, and clients. YMCAs serve over 2.28 million Canadians annually, delivering crucial services and programs Canadians rely on, including housing, employment and training, immigration and settlement services, youth programs, programs for healthy living and wellbeing, and early learning and childcare. Our programs and services are supported by a mix of membership fees, government grants and contributions, and foundation supports, and private donations. While it is too early to tell the economic impact that Covid-19 might have, we welcome the government’s announcement that the waiting period for EI will be waived for those whose employment might be affected. We also welcome your commitment that ESDC’s Work- Sharing program will be flexibly administered so that affected employers and workers can find alternatives to potential layoffs. I would like to follow up on your comments about further measures to help businesses and employers deal with potential economic disruption. You mentioned that the government was prepared to assist businesses with cash flow issues, through the Business Credit Availability Program, and the press release issued by your office makes specific reference to the Business Development Bank of Canada and the Export Development Corporation. We are concerned that the BDC interprets its mandate and operates in a manner that precludes assistance or advice to charities and nonprofits. YMCA Canada is aware that Imagine Canada has also shared concerns on this topic, and we support their advocacy on this issue. YMCAs across Canada have always been there for Canadians in times of crisis. Through periods of unemployment, homelessness, wildfire and flood disaster relief, and economic disruption, YMCAs have provided Canadians with a safe and inclusive place to access services and supports. We are concerned about the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on the financial stability of institutions like ours, and our ability to deliver the services Canadians need now more than ever. Economic disruption arising from the Covid-19 situation will impact YMCA Member Associations and other Canadian charities and nonprofits on several fronts: YMCA programs and services, including community programs for youth at risk, homeless Canadians, immigrants and refugees, and young parents, are supported by our membership fees. With Canadians feeling financial strain, and Health, Fitness and Aquatics facilities closed for health and safety reasons due to the pandemic, our ability to deliver our vital programs and services, and to subsidize memberships for Canadians experiencing financial need, will be severely impacted. Many organizations will face increased demand for the services they provide: essential service workers will still require access to early learning and childcare programs, for example. Donations from businesses and individuals may be affected. This comes at a time when many organizations already face difficulty generating donations. Private and community foundations are already being impacted by market uncertainties, which will affect their ability to provide funding to front-line organizations. Charities and nonprofits face no less a possibility of significant economic disruption than the private sector. It is imperative that the federal government’s response also include and communicate measures that will assist charities and nonprofits in getting through the challenges we all currently face. We are more than happy to work with you and your Ministers to identify such measures. Thank you for your attention, and please accept our best wishes for the days and weeks to come. Yours truly, Marcel Lauzière Peter Dinsdale Chair, Board of Directors President and Chief Executive Officer YMCA Canada YMCA Canada cc: Hon. Chrystia Freeland, PC, MC, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Bill Morneau, PC, MP, Minister of Finance Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, PC, MP, President of the Treasury Board Hon. Mona Fortier, PC, MP, Associate Minister of Finance Sean Fraser, MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance .