Update from OSC – COVID-19 Measures

Monday, April 20, 2020

Today I would like to acknowledge the devastating news out of Nova Scotia. We are thinking of everyone who has been impacted, and expressing our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones. Our hearts are with you during this very difficult time.

Now a number of weeks into physical distancing and all those measures necessary to keeping each other healthy and safe, we know our members and partners continue to navigate doing business in a time of uncertainty. This looks a little different for everyone. Whether it’s working to advance projects, supporting the response to COVID-19, or laying the groundwork for what’s next, this is an unprecedented time for us all that has presented challenges across ocean industries. We are right there with you to help whatever way we can, knowing the work we do, collectively, in ocean is critical to Canada. Next week Research Money is hosting a virtual event called Coping with COVID-19 – A Conversation with Canada’s Superclusters where the CEOs of each of the five superclusters will speak to the impacts and response programs, while also looking ahead to economic recovery. I’m looking forward to providing insights and information on the challenges facing ocean industries, and also the support and resolve to help overcome them. The event takes place on April 29 from 11:00am to 12:30pm EDT and registration is open now.

On Friday, the Prime Minister announced details around new supports available to startups and small businesses, as well as some new measures to help retain and create jobs in the energy sector. The funding for startups and small businesses is intended to address the gap in relief measures to date and will be made available through a variety of programs, including:

• Canada’s Regional Development Agencies – $675 million in financing support to small and medium-sized businesses unable to access existing COVID-19 support programs.
• Community Futures Network – $287 million to support rural businesses and communities, including access to capital.
• Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – $250 million to assist innovative, early-stage companies unable to access existing COVID-19 support programs.
• Futurpreneur Canada – $20 million to continue to support young entrepreneurs across Canada who are facing challenges due to COVID-19.

Just a couple of weeks ago, we launched our new OSC website and member portal. The feedback and uptake has been excellent, and we encourage members to continue to leverage the portal to collaborate with partners, and explore and advance ideas. We have also welcomed a new Technology Leadership Program Manager, Pascal Milord, to the team as we work to advance more projects and proposals. The Ocean Startup Project will deliver its fourth weekly webinar this week How to be Successful in the Ocean Sector, and the Lab2Market program applications are also now available. OSC members have also been invited, by direct email, to a special, interactive members-only virtual event on May 27 to replace our planned in-person event as we continue to look for opportunities to connect in new ways.

The information from health officials indicates that measures to support the health and well-being of Canadians will continue for an undetermined number of weeks ahead. While we look forward to a time in the future when we will return to a new normal way of life and business, but in the meantime we will continue to connect with members and partners virtually. We have made the decision to extend the suspension of OSC in-person events to June 30, 2020.

Next week I look forward to sharing details of new support for OSC projects and proposals.

Stay healthy and safe.

Kendra MacDonald

CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

Update from OSC – COVID-19 Measures

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

As our collective focus remains on keeping each other safe and adhering to those guidelines set to help flatten the curve, we have seen incredible stories of leadership, generosity and kindness. Across the country, companies are stepping up to contribute in whatever way they can to help in the response to COVID-19. Some are providing very direct support in the response through activities including working on trial vaccines, shifting operations to produce PPE, and donating supplies that hospitals and front line workers need most. Recent examples include NGen support of Sona Nanotech’s commercialization of a COVID-19 rapid response antigen test, and the donation of N95 masks to hospitals and the frontline by Halifax Shipyard. For others, giving back has meant providing donations to local food banks, sharing resources with organizations who need help through programs like NATI’s Resource Allocation and Expertise Sharing program, and offering the tools and resources to support the well-being of employees and those around us. To our members, partners, and friends, thank you for coming together during this challenging time.

While we do not know with any certainty when we will return to a new normal post-COVID-19, every indication we are seeing tells us the weeks and months ahead will continue to be focused on the action required to overcome the pandemic. During this time we will see many companies continue to step up, and we will step up for members. As we look to the future and the path to economic recovery, realizing our full potential in sustainable ocean growth will continue to be incredibly important. Canada’s Ocean Supercluster will continue to support members, and advance projects and ecosystem building activity so, together, we are ready to help drive this effort.

Federal programming available to provide relief to business of all sizes and other organizations includes both the 75% Emergency Wage Subsidy Program which is intended to prevent further job losses, encourage employers to re-hire workers previously laid off as a result of COVID-19, and help position Canadian employers to more easily resume normal operations following the health crisis, and the 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy Program which is a three month measure that will allow eligible employers to reduce the amount of payroll deductions required to be remitted to CRA.

For businesses looking for assistance now and as they plan for the future, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Government of Canada has launched the Canada Business Resilience Network providing tools and resources focused for Canadian businesses, with four key areas of focus: containment measures, business continuity, support for business, and recovery. This will be updated regularly with new information as we move through the pandemic.

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is here to support members and partners in whatever way we can now through this challenging time, and also as we plan for the future. We looking forward to sharing further updates on these measures in the coming weeks.

Stay healthy and safe.

Kendra MacDonald

CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

Update from OSC – COVID-19 Measures

Monday, April 6, 2020

Over the past number of weeks we’ve all made adjustments in order to keep each other safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. In communicating, collaborating, and advancing our work priorities, the ability to connect virtually has never been more important. To further share information publicly, engage with members, and move important projects forward, we accelerated the completion of a new platform to host this virtual activity for OSC members. On Thursday of last week our team completed that work and launched a robust and interactive new website together with a member portal that can be found here. In addition, the Ocean Startup Project officially launched its free webinar series focused on ocean innovation. Last week’s session saw very high attendance from across Canada. The next in the series takes place April 9 and examines ocean growth from Canadian and international perspectives. Registration is still open to those who are interested.

There has been a growing list of opportunities for innovators in Canada and for those who are able to retool operations to deliver necessary health products and services in response to the pandemic. Through the supercluster program, funding is available to those Canadian companies who can help support these efforts, and as a reminder, they include the following calls with a combined investment value of $110 million:

• From the Digital Technology Supercluster for the development, deployment and scaling of digital technology in five key area of health.
• From Next Generation Manufacturing (NGEN) for the provision of equipment, products, and therapeutics.

Last week the Prime Minister announced further details on the emergency wage subsidy program for Canadian companies of all sizes, and others, that can demonstrate a loss of revenue of 30 per cent due to the impacts of COVID-19. The Department of Finance has since posted a program backgrounder with expanded details around the program, eligibility, and timeframes.

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster would like to recognize its members, partners, and all those who are taking the necessary measures to keep each other healthy and safe. Our shared commitment to addressing challenges in the ocean economy continues, and we are doing everything we can to continue to develop project ideas and support companies through these unprecedented times. Stay tuned for program updates in the coming weeks!

Stay healthy and safe.

Kendra MacDonald

CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster