COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

The federal government activated its Emergency Operations Centre on January 15.[109] The federal government's pandemic response is based on two primary documents: the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Preparedness planning guidelines, which outlines risks and measures to address a viral disease,[115] and the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Public Health Response Plan for Biological Events, which includes identifying, tracking, and ensuring rapid access to medical care.[116] As of February 27, the response plan was at level 3 (escalated).[117]

On March 18, the federal Minister of Health, Patty Hajdu, announced that the federal government had signed an interim order to speed up access to COVID-19 test kits that would allow provincial labs to increase testing. The test kits are made by Switzerland-based Roche Molecular Systems and ThermoFisher Scientific.[118] According to Health Canada, "an Interim Order is one of the fastest mechanisms available to the Government of Canada to help make health products available to address larger scale public health emergencies. This Interim Order provides the Minister with the flexibility to consider the urgent circumstances relating to the need for the medical device, authorizations granted by foreign regulatory authorities, or possible new uses for medical devices that are approved in Canada."[119]

Social distancing at Shoppers Drug Mart in Toronto with limited number of shoppers allowed inside the store.

Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada and head of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), said on March 19 that Canada would not know for two or three weeks if country-wide social distancing efforts have curbed the spread of COVID-19.[120]

On March 19, 2020, the federal government announced that it had added to Trudeau's March 11 announcement of $275 million in funding for an additional 49 projects to bring the total to 96 research projects that will focus on developing and implementing measures to detect, manage, and reduce the transmission of COVID-19.[121][122]

On March 20, as part of the announcement on Canada's industrial strategy (see below), Trudeau stated that the National Research Council will work with small- and medium-sized companies on health research to fight the virus.[123]

On March 23, Tam began appearing in public service announcements on radio and television, urging personal hygiene, social distancing, and against unnecessary travel.[124]

On March 24, 2020, a small number of MPs from each party met in the House of Commons to vote on an $82-billion emergency spending legislation, known as Bill C-13. The passage of the bill was stalled due to the federal government's proposed clauses that gave the finance minister the right to spend money and raise taxes without the approval of Parliament until December 31, 2021. After criticism from the Official Opposition over the minority government's "power grab" which was considered undemocratic, a revised bill was agreed upon the next day that would permit the government six months of special spending powers until September 30, 2020, with oversight from a Parliamentary committee.[125][126][127][128][129] The House of Commons' Health and Finance committees began holding weekly virtual meetings during the pandemic.[130][131]

On April 6, Tam began to suggest that the use of non-medical face masks in public could be an "additional measure" to "protect others around you in situations where physical distancing is difficult to maintain", but that this is not proven to protect the wearer, and is considered complementary to all existing health guidance issued thus far.[132] Trudeau brought up the topic the next day, where he said, "If people want to wear a mask, that is okay. It protects others more than it protects you, because it prevents you from breathing or... or... speaking, uh... 'moistly' on them." He immediately regrets his word choice and says, "Ugh, what a terrible image."[133][134][135] The unusual word choice has led the creation of a remix song, "Speaking Moistly", based on the speech.[136][137][138]

"Thank You Heroes" sign at a long-term care home in Markham, Ontario

Long-term care homes have been impacted heavily by the pandemic; on April 13, Tam reported that at least half of COVID-19 deaths in Canada had been linked to long-term care homes (with the exact number varying by province), and that "these deaths will continue to increase, even as the epidemic growth rate slows down.[139][140] Tam cited factors such as outside visitors, communal living spaces, and staff being transferred among multiple facilities, as particular vulnerabilities.[141][142] The pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing staffing issues at some facilities, including underpaid staff, and being understaffed in general.[143][139][144] On April 28, Tam stated that as many of 79 percent of Canada's COVID-19 fatalities occurred in long-term care homes.[145]

Health Canada has issued recommendations for long-term care homes, encouraging them to restrict outside visitors and volunteers, restrict employees from being transferred between multiple facilities, provide personal protective equipment, enforce physical distancing during meals, screen staff and essential visitors, On April 15, Trudeau announced that the federal government planned to provide additional pay to long-term care workers.[146][147]

An almost empty SkyTrain in Vancouver on a Saturday afternoon

On March 14, Canada recommended against any international travel, and advised those returning from outside of Canada, except for essential workers (such as flight crew), to self-isolate for 14 days.[148] The Quarantine Act was invoked by Hajdu on March 26, making self-isolation a legal mandate for travellers (excluding essential workers) returning to the country, and also prohibiting those who are symptomatic from using public transit as transport to their place of self-isolation, and prohibiting self-isolation in settings where they may come in contact with those who are vulnerable (people with pre-existing conditions and the elderly).[149]

Since March 16, only Canadian citizens and their immediate families, permanent residents, and U.S. citizens are allowed to enter the country. The only exceptions are flight crews, diplomats, and trade and commerce. Travellers showing COVID-19 symptoms are not allowed to board flights into Canada, regardless of their citizenship.[150][151] International flights to Canada from outside the Caribbean, Mexico, and the U.S. were instructed to land at either Calgary International Airport, Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, or Vancouver International Airport.[150][151]

Since March 20, Canada and the United States have temporarily restricted all non-essential travel across their border, while maintaining supply chains between both countries;[152][153] On April 16, Trudeau stated that the Canada/U.S. border restrictions would remain in place "for a significant amount of time";[154] the next day, it was reported that Canada and the United States had agreed to extend their entry restrictions, which were to expire on April 21, for an additional 30 days beyond that date.[155]

Since March 30, individuals showing COVID-19 symptoms must be refused boarding on domestic flights (10 seats or more) and passenger trains. This excludes buses and intercity passenger rail services.[156] Since April 20, all travellers are required to wear non-medical face masks while departing and arriving on air travel, including during security screenings. Those who do not comply will be prevented from proceeding.[157]

A First Ministers' meeting scheduled for March 12 and 13 was cancelled after Trudeau and his wife Sophie Grégoire self-isolated.[13] The Canadian House of Commons was suspended between March 14 and April 20, immediately after passing the new North American free trade deal. The federal budget, previously scheduled for March 20, was also suspended.[158]

The Bank of Canada has twice lowered its overnight rate target by 50 basis points, first to 1.25 percent on March 4, and then to 0.75 percent on March 13, citing the "negative shocks to Canada's economy arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent sharp drop in oil prices.[159][160]

On March 27, the Bank lowered the rate a third time to 0.25 percent, citing "serious consequences for Canadians and for the economy" due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[161] The Bank also launched a program to "alleviate strains in the short-term funding markets" and another program to acquire Government of Canada securities at a minimum of $5 billion per week.[162]

On March 18, the federal government announced an $82-billion response package with a variety of measures.[163] On March 25, the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act received royal assent from Governor General Julie Payette.[164] The measures in this first package included:

• Canada Child Benefit (CCB): Payments for the 2019–20-year were increased by $300 per child.
• Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit: The maximum annual GST credit payment amount for the 2019–20 year was doubled.
• Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB): This new benefit provided a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to four months for those who had lost their job, were sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone sick with COVID-19, as well as working parents staying home to take care of their kids.
• Canada Student Loans: A six-month moratorium was placed on repayment.
• Temporary business wage subsidy: Eligible small employers received a three-month 10 percent wage subsidy.
• Tax flexibility: The income tax filing deadline was also extended from April 30, 2020 to June 1, 2020. Tax payments were deferred to September 2020.

The CERB launched on April 6, and within one week, nearly 3.5 million Canadians applied for this benefit;[165] this grew to 7.12 million by April 24.[166] On April 15, Trudeau announced that the CERB would be extended to workers making up to $1,000 per month, and that the government planned to work with the provinces to implement salary top-ups for essential workers who make less than $2,500 per month.[167]

The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) was announced on April 1, an expanded version of the temporary business wage subsidy. The Parliament reconvened on April 11 to pass the COVID-19 Emergency Response Act, No. 2 on division. It implemented the CEWS—which allows eligible companies to receive a 75 percent subsidy on each of their employees' wages (up to their first $58,700) for 12 weeks retroactive to March 15.[168]

Trudeau introduced new financial aid programs on April 10, including the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) which offers loans, interest-free until the end of 2022, of up to $40,000 for small- and medium-sized businesses[169][170] The CEBA was expanded on April 16 to make more businesses eligible.

Catherine McKenna announced on April 16 that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Communities sought shovel-ready infrastructure projects to receive in the 2020 construction season some "largely unspent" funds that had already been budgeted.[171]

The Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) was announced by Trudeau on April 22. It would provide $1,250 per month from May to August to eligible postsecondary students. Students with disabilities or taking care of someone else would receive $1,750 per month.[172]

On April 30, Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux issued a report projecting the federal deficit for fiscal year 2020 could be in excess of $252 billion, based on nearly $146 billion in spending on federal aid measures.[173]

Leslie Street empty at 9:00 a.m. on a weekday in Toronto

On March 16, the Treasury Board urged Federal public servants to work from home if possible. No date was provided for when this provision should end.[174]

On March 20, the government announced a plan to ramp up production of medical equipment, switching assembly lines to produce ventilators, masks and other personal protective gear. Companies will be able to access funds through the government's Strategic Innovation Fund. The PM stated that Canadian medical supply firms Thornhill Medical, Medicom and Spartan Bioscience were looking to expand production. In order to address shortages and supply-chain disruption, Canada passed emergency legislation that waived-patent protection, giving the government, and companies or organizations that it selects, the right to produce patented products without permission from the patent holder.[175] According to Innovation, Science and Industry minister Navdeep Bains, "the country's entire industrial policy will be refocused to prioritize the fight against COVID-19".[176][177]

On March 12, Quebec declared a public health emergency, requiring international travellers to self-isolate for 14 days and banning gatherings of 250 people. The ban has been extended to all gatherings outside workplaces and retail.[217]

On March 16, Prince Edward Island declared a public health emergency. Alberta and Ontario declared emergencies on March 17, followed by British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan and Yukon on March 18. New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia declared emergencies on March 19, March 20, and March 22 respectively.[218]

These emergencies allowed provinces to ban gatherings and require international travellers to self-isolate. On March 25, mandatory self-isolation was imposed federally, making it a legal requirement for all provinces who had not done so already.[219]

New Brunswick, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, and have all restricted entry through interprovincial borders, prohibiting the entry of non-residents without valid reason. Quebec has additionally restricted travel into 9 of its 18 regions and parts of 3 other regions. The borders of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador are being screened, while also requiring travellers to self-isolate for 14 days upon entering the province.[220]

Let's Work Together Stop the Spread sign at a school in the GTA.

On March 12, the Ontario government announced that all public schools will be closed from March 14 until at least April 5.[221] This was followed by all provinces and territories closing schools, and the closures being repeatedly extended or made indefinite. Governments have assured graduating students that they will be able to graduate, and classes have moved online.

Laurentian University in Greater Sudbury, was the first to voluntarily suspended classes and moved to online instruction on March 12.[222] This was quickly followed by many other universities in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and Manitoba voluntarily closing on the 12th and 13th. Initially, some universities in British Columbia continued while cancelling classes with more than 250 students due to the gatherings ban. All provinces have since closed down post-secondary institutions.

Due to the exceptional circumstances of the closures, various universities have given their students the option of receiving a pass/fail grade instead of a numeric or letter grade. The University of Alberta made this grading scheme mandatory, which received some backlash from the student body.[223]

Playground in Port Moody, British Columbia, closed off with caution tape. A sign indicates the playground is closed because of COVID-19.

Bars, restaurants, cinemas, and other businesses have been ordered closed by provinces, territories, and municipalities across the country. Initially, some jurisdictions allowed restaurants or bars to stay open with reduced capacity and social distancing. Takeout and delivery orders are largely still permitted.[220] Jurisdictions have differed on daycare closures. In particular, British Columbia and Saskatchewan have faced criticism for allowing daycares to remain open while closing schools, bars, and restaurants.[224]

Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan have mandated the closure of all businesses not deemed essential by the provinces. Essential businesses include grocery stories, takeout and delivery restaurants, pharmacies, transportation, manufacturing, food production, energy, and healthcare.[225][226][227]

Liquor and cannabis stores have largely remained open across the country, with governments reversing their closure orders due to concerns surrounding alcohol withdrawal syndrome.[228][229]

Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Manitoba all offered one-time payments that aimed to bridge the gap before the implementation of the federal Canada Emergency Response Benefit. Quebec's Temporary Aid for Workers Program offers up to four weeks of payments for those who do not qualify for federal assistance. Prince Edward Island also provides payments to those who have kept their jobs but work reduced hours.[230]

Many provinces and territories have increased payments for those already receiving income supports.

Courts across the country instituted measures to reduce public contact, while maintaining access to the courts.[231] The Supreme Court of Canada has closed the building to public tours, while maintaining the ability to file documents for cases electronically. It has also adjourned appeals which were to be heard in March, to dates in June.[232] Other courts have prioritised the cases which will be heard, generally giving priority to ongoing criminal trials and trials in family and child protection matters, while adjourning most pending cases to later dates.

On March 19, the Pimicikamak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba restricted entry to essential travellers, and Chief David Monias said the Sayisi Dene and others are doing the same. The Council of the Haida Nation said it was discouraging all non-resident travel to the islands "for the time being."[233]

The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) was affected strongly by the 2020 stock market crash, with an overall 12 percent decline on March 12 of the S&P/TSX Composite Index, its biggest single-day decline since 1940, twice triggering market circuit breakers.[238][239] The week of March 9–13 was the TSX's worst week on record.[240] The fall, which capped two weeks of steady declines, was exacerbated by an oil output war between Russia and Saudi Arabia.[241]

The S&P/TSX Composite Index lost another 10 percent on March 16, causing trading to halt a 3rd time in a span of eight days.[242][243] The index closed at 12,360.40 points on March 16, down 31 percent from before the crash at 17,944 recorded on February 20. By April 17, the index had recovered some of its losses, closing at 14,359.98, still down 20 percent from the February 20 close.[244]

In April 2020, there were concerns afoot that, because of the federal closure of all external borders, the farm sector would have difficulty with a labour shortfall, as seasonal farm workers would be absent.[245][246]

In May, many ag producers were worried about going bankrupt,[247] this in spite of the announcement on May 5 of a $252 million federal ag subsidy programme.[248] The Canadian Federation of Agriculture had called one week earlier for a $2.6 billion subsidy but were disappointed.[248]

At least one insurance carrier announced that it was cutting back on insurance coverage for Canadians abroad. On March 15, 2020, RSA Canada announced that trip cancellation, interruption, and emergency medical coverage was now limited to 10 days from the federal government's announcement on March 13, 2020, urging Canadians not to travel internationally.[249]

WestJet has frozen all hiring and is offering voluntary departure packages to employees, with the goal of cutting 12 percent of its total capacity.[250] Air Canada announced on March 20 that it will lay off 5,000 of its staff.[251] On March 20, the federal government announced a dramatic increase in applications to unemployment insurance, with over 500,000 Canadians applying in a single week (an 18-fold increase).[252] By March 22, the figure was adjusted to nearly one million Canadians applying in a single week.[253] And by April 2, jobless claims in Canada reached around 2.13 million, representing roughly 11 percent of the labour force.[254] On April 6, the Canadian government said that 3.18 million Canadians applied for unemployment benefits, with around 795,000 applying on April 6 alone.[255] The survey from the Angus Reid Institute found that 44 percent of Canadian households have experienced some type of job loss.[256][257] On April 13, the number of applications for emergency benefits due to the pandemic reached 6 million – this number "includes those who applied through the employment insurance (EI) process."[258]

Closed movie theatre in Surrey

Initially, fast casual restaurants such as Starbucks and Tim Hortons maintained service, but suspended the allowable use of reusable cups by patrons. Tim Hortons simultaneously altered its popular "Roll up the Rim to Win" promotion to exclude physical cups (the chain had already announced its intent to increase its use of digital components for the promotion in an effort to combat litter).[259][260][261] In compliance with or ahead of local mandates, some national restaurant chains (including those aforementioned) have since suspended in-store dining and seating, in favour of take-out and delivery service only. Although McDonald's Canada and Wendy's Canada have both decided to close their dining rooms entirely at most locations, and only offer drive-through and delivery. [262][263][264][265][266]

Shopify cancelled its Shopify Unite conference, which was scheduled to occur from May 6 to 9 in Toronto.[267]

The major movie theatre chains Cineplex Entertainment and Landmark initially restricted the capacity of their individual cinema auditoriums by half (with Landmark using its reserved seating systems to enforce social distancing between patrons, and providing fresh bags and cups for popcorn and soft drinks upon refills rather than reusing them).[268] Both chains have since closed all locations until further notice.[269][270]

WestJet planes grounded at Edmonton International Airport

Air Canada cancelled all flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Rome; and cut back on flights to Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Seoul.[271]

WestJet announced on March 16 that all international flights, including to the US, will be suspended by March 22.[272]

On March 18, Porter Airlines announced that it would suspend all flights until June.[273]

Also on March 18, Air Canada announced that by April 1 all international flights will be suspended, with only six overseas airports and thirteen United States airports being served.[274] The six connections at London, Paris, Frankfurt, Delhi, Tokyo and Hong Kong airports would allow Canadians to return home. These measures are expected to last until at least April 30.[274]

Air Canada announced because of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, it would re-hire backdated to 15 March 16,000 airline staff that were laid off due to the pandemic.[275]

On April 21, Air Canada announced a suspension of all scheduled flights to the U.S. from April 27 to May 22, "subject to any further government restrictions beyond that date."[276][277]

On May 14, Lufthansa said it would resume flights between Toronto and Frankfurt as of June 3. The airline plans three weekly flights between the cities, and may add Vancouver and Montreal to its post-lockdown rota later on this summer. Flights are banned on all international non-essential travel between Canada and the European Union since March 17,[278] but citizens are allowed to return to either location. Prior to the pandemic, Lufthansa operated 64 weekly flights between the two countries. The airline's recovery plans involve high-density cargo to replace paying customers. The Lufthansa Group airlines now require all passengers to wear a mask while aboard.[279]

Almost all tourist sites have been closed or reduced due to the pandemic.[280] Many summer festivals and events were cancelled including the Canadian National Exhibition and Canadian International Air Show,[281] Calgary Stampede,[282] Celebration of Light fireworks festival, and Pacific National Exhibition.[283] Pride events planned to take place across the country were changed to take place virtually.[284][285]

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan have ordered the closure of all casinos until further notice. Société des casinos du Québec also closed all four of its casinos.[286][287][288][289][290] Great Canadian Gaming voluntarily closed its 10 locations in BC (prior to the mandated closure), and 3 in the Atlantic provinces.[291][292] The Atlantic Lottery and Loto-Québec also suspended and disabled their video lottery terminals starting March 16.[293][294]

All professional and university sports leagues with Canadian teams have suspended their seasons from March 13 onward. This includes the National Hockey League,[295] the Canadian Hockey League,[296] Hockey Canada,[297][298] the Canadian Junior Hockey League,[299] U Sports ice hockey,[300] the National Basketball Association,[301][302] Major League Baseball,[303][304] Major League Soccer,[305] the Canadian Premier League,[306] the Canadian Soccer Association,[307] and the CONCACAF Champions League.[308] On March 18, the CHL's leagues announced that they would cancel the remainder of their regular seasons. All playoffs and the 2020 Memorial Cup were subsequently cancelled March 23.[309][310] On April 8, the National Lacrosse League also cancelled the rest of their regular season, with postponement of the playoffs.[311] The Canadian Football League delayed its 2020 season no earlier than September 2020, and announced that the 108th Grey Cup festivities in Regina had been cancelled.[312][313] U Sports and most of its conferences have cancelled all fall-semester university athletics competition for the 2020-21 season.[314][315][316][317]

Cancelled international sports events in Canada include the 2020 World Women's Curling Championship (originally scheduled to be held from March 14 to 22 in Prince George),[318] the 2020 World Figure Skating Championships (March 16 to 22, Montreal),[319] the 2020 Women's Ice Hockey World Championships (March 31 to April 10, Halifax and Truro, Nova Scotia),[320] and the 2020 Sprint Tour (March 14 to 15, Quebec City) and 2020 World Cup Finals (March 20 to 21, Canmore) of the FIS Cross-Country World Cup.[321] Cancelled national competitions include the 2020 Arctic Winter Games (March 15 to 21, Whitehorse)[322] and Nordiq Canada's Canadian Ski Championships (March 25 to April 2, Vernon, British Columbia).[323]

On April 11, Tennis Canada cancelled the women's WTA Tour half of the 2020 Canadian Open (sponsored as Rogers Cup), pursuant to a request by the Quebec government for all cultural events, festivals, and sporting events be cancelled through August. Per an alternating cycle with the men's ATP Tour half of the event and Toronto, Montreal will host the women's tournament in 2021. Tennis Canada stated that it would still tentatively hold the men's tournament in Toronto, unless the ATP extends its suspension of play, or the Ontario or Toronto government order otherwise.[324][325]

Many news websites have dropped their paywalls for material related to the pandemic, including The Globe and Mail and all Postmedia sites.[326][327] Postmedia subsequently dropped its paywalls for all content for April 2020.[328]

Public broadcaster CBC temporarily replaced its local evening newscasts with a simulcast from CBC News Network combining content from local and national journalists from across the country,[329] a decision that was criticized by the Premier of Prince Edward Island Dennis King, as CBC News: Compass is the province's only local daily television news program.[330] By the end of March, however, local news service began to be restored in most markets.[331]

CBC Radio One also temporarily suspended production of its arts and entertainment magazine series Q, in order to provide an extended daily broadcast of its morning news series The Current,[331] while CBC Music shifted to programming exclusively Canadian music to help support artists impacted by the cancellations of concert tours and the Juno Awards. CBC Television also launched a number of special short-run series during the pandemic to deal with disruptions in its regular schedule, including Movie Night in Canada to broadcast feature films in lieu of Hockey Night in Canada; What're You At? with Tom Power, a Sunday evening talk show which will see Tom Power remotely interview both celebrities and ordinary Canadians;[332] and Hot Docs at Home, a Thursday night series which will broadcast several feature documentary films which had been slated to premiere at the cancelled Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.[333]

Cancelled cultural events include such awards ceremonies as the 2020 Juno Awards, scheduled to have been in Saskatoon on March 15,[334][335] the 8th Canadian Screen Awards (Toronto, March 29),[335][334] the 15th Canadian Folk Music Awards (Charlottetown, April 3 and 4),[336] the Artis Awards (Montreal, May 10)[337] and the 22nd Quebec Cinema Awards (Montreal, June 7).[338]

Festival cancellations or postponements include the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, originally planned in Toronto from April 30 to May 10,[339] the Inside Out Film and Video Festival, originally planned for late May but now rescheduled to October,[340] and Montreal's Festival international du film sur l'art, which will now be presented online.[341] CBC Radio's Canada Reads book competition, scheduled for the week of March 16, was also postponed.[342]

Canada's national museums in Ottawa cancelled all scheduled events and exhibits, and closed indefinitely on March 14.[343] Almost all local museums, art galleries, theatres, and other performance venues across the country have also closed indefinitely.[344][345][346][347][348]

The National Arts Centre launched #CanadaPerforms, a $100,000 fund that would pay Canadian musicians $1,000 to perform a livestreamed home concert on Facebook during the crisis. The initiative launched on March 19 with a concert by Jim Cuddy, with other artists already scheduled to perform including Serena Ryder, William Prince, Irish Mythen, Erin Costelo and Whitehorse.[349]

The eighth season of the Global series Big Brother Canada abruptly ended production on March 24, 2020 due to the Ontario government's mandatory 14-day closure of all non-essential workplaces. There was no winner, with the prize money subsequently donated to charities responding to COVID-19.[350]

On April 26, nearly all Canadian television networks in both English and French collaborated on the multiplatform special Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble, which featured home-recorded messages and musical performances from Canadian celebrities, as a benefit for Food Banks Canada.[351] The special attracted 11.5 million viewers, becoming the most-watched non-sports broadcast in the history of Canadian television,[352] and concluded with the broadcast premiere of a cover of Bill Withers's song "Lean on Me", recorded by an ad hoc supergroup of Canadian musicians as a fundraiser for the Canadian Red Cross.[353] Participating artists included Bryan Adams, Jann Arden, Justin Bieber, Michael Bublé, Fefe Dobson, Scott Helman, Shawn Hook, Avril Lavigne, Geddy Lee, Marie-Mai, Sarah McLachlan, Johnny Orlando, Josh Ramsay, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Tyler Shaw, Walk Off the Earth and Donovan Woods.[354]