An important message from our CEO about new options for OSC members in these challenging times. Not even losing her voice could stop her from bringing this to you today:

To our incredible Board of Directors and all volunteers, thank you for everything you do! #CheersToVolunteers #NVW2020

 

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

Connecting Virtually Has Never Been More Important
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster Launches New Website and Member Portal

Today Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) launched its new website and member portal, serving as a robust new platform for sharing information, collaborating, and advancing ocean opportunities. Ocean Supercluster members, partners, and all those who share an interest in growing Canada’s ocean economy will be able to leverage the website for regular updates and access to: the latest in news, virtual events, and announcements; information on membership and projects; Canada’s Ocean Asset Map (an evergreen ocean capabilities tool); Canada’s ocean opportunity; OSC leadership blog, and other features.

An interactive member portal has also been launched for the more than 140 OSC members across the country who will be onboarded over the course of the next couple of weeks. As we are encouraged to continue to stay safe and stay home, this provides another set of tools for OSC members to connect from coast to coast to coast. The member portal is a virtual space designed for members to connect, communicate, and work together with other members to pursue, explore, and advance new projects and opportunities. They will be able to, among other things, contribute to discussion groups, review member information including ideas, proposals, and any projects their organization is a part of, as well as post new ideas or a call for ideas to solve a particular ocean challenge or market need.

“Being able to connect virtually has never been more important,” said Kendra MacDonald, CEO Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. “We continue to work with our members and partners to support them in new ways through these unprecedented times while continuing to look to the future to achieve the kind of transformational innovation, project deployment, and economic growth we know is possible in ocean. This new platform provides the virtual tools and resources to help accelerate these opportunities.”

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster website and member portal can be found at www.oceansupercluster.ca

As we continue to take necessary measures to protect ourselves and each other amid the pandemic, we look to the coming weeks and months knowing there is uncertainty around when regular activity can resume. Our team is working closely with members and partners as we finalize new projects, advance others from proposal to contracting, and guide new proposals through the review process. Innovation Ecosystem activities continue to expand in a number of areas including the Ocean Startup Project webinar series for ocean innovators (starting April 2), work in indigenous engagement and other ecosystem building initiatives, and creating opportunities for members and partners to connect. Projects, initiatives, and activities are taking place virtually and this will continue until it is permitted and safe to engage otherwise.

Canada and the world are looking to innovators to help beat COVID-19 with new and accelerated production of health solutions. Last week the Government of Canada announced additional funding directed towards the accelerated development of new products as well as the scale-up and retooling of facilities to deliver on these products and services. To help achieve this, there has been a call for solutions from the Digital Technology Supercluster for the development, deployment and scaling of digital technology and from Next Generation Manufacturing (NGEN) for the provision of equipment, products, and therapeutics in response to virus. These opportunities are open to Canadian companies with a solution in any of these areas.

Further relief came for businesses late last week, when the Government of Canada made an announcement on wage subsidies and interest free loans to help companies avoid layoffs during this time. Today, the federal government provided greater detail on the program:

· 75 per cent of the cost of wages up to $847 per week will be provided

· Businesses of all sizes as well as not-for-profits and charities who have experienced at least 30 per cent revenue loss are eligible

· Payments are to go toward staff salaries, and businesses who are able are encouraged to top up salaries to full pay

· Payments will be backdated to March 15

In addition to the wage subsidy, guaranteed loans of up to $40,000 will be provided interest-free for one year to help those companies who are facing cash flow pressures during the health crisis. The full details of measures announced under Canada’s Economic Response Plan, can be found here. For tools and information on COVID-19 business resilience, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is providing regular insights and updates that may also be of assistance.

Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is here to support its members and partners however possible, as we work our way through this time and continue the work happening in ocean innovation that will be more important than ever to help drive our economy forward. Stay tuned later this week for the launch of our new Ocean Supercluster website and member portal, a dynamic platform to engage, and stay up to date on the latest news and opportunities.

Stay healthy and safe.

Kendra MacDonald

CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

As COVID-19 cases grow in Canada, it’s more important than ever that we all take the necessary steps to slow the spread of the virus in our communities. The most consistent advice we have been given tells us unless you are an essential worker, stay home. With this comes a different way of doing our work, sharing information, and providing opportunities for collaboration.

Our team is working virtually, has ceased travel for business, and taking the steps necessary to stay healthy and safe. We are actively working with projects to support their continued advancement in addition to readying new projects and supporting them through the approval process. We are adjusting as best we can to keep things moving forward and will continue to explore every opportunity.

Sharing information, facilitating collaboration, and building solutions to shared ocean challenges is at the heart of what Canada’s Ocean Supercluster does every day. As always, our team members are available by video, phone, and email to provide the information, guidance, and support needed by members and partners. We will bolster our digital communications tools with a dynamic new website, a monthly ocean news publication, and virtual events to share ocean opportunities. Watch for more details on these digital communications, in addition to the opportunity to participate in other virtual programs and events in the coming weeks and months.

Over the past week, the federal government has announced an economic response plan to help address some of the immediate impacts being experienced by individuals and businesses as a result of COVID-19. In addition, ISED is mobilizing resources quickly for manufacturers and businesses that can provide goods and services to help combat the virus. We will use our social media channels to share information on other new relief and funding programs as we become aware of them.

Our work to develop and deliver transformational ocean projects in Canada continues. The way we do that today looks different than it did even just a few weeks ago. We are relying more heavily on digital solutions to actively engage with members and partners and forge ahead with Ocean Supercluster projects, while also sharing information around other opportunities including those related to Canada’s COVID-19 response. Our team is here to support members and partners in whatever way we can. Please do not hesitate to reach out.

Stay healthy and safe.

Kendra MacDonald

CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster