Business, transportation, logistics, and community organizations are coming together; distributing masks to those who need them in communities across the province.
Deloitte Canada is joining forces with TransLink, OEC Group, Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR), BC Ferries, BCAA, SCI, and BC Transit, to source and distribute one million surgical masks. The distribution of these much-needed masks is being led by the United Way.
“Everyone is doing their part to flatten the COVID-19 curve and we know that masks do make a difference,” said Michael McKnight, President of United Way Lower Mainland. “We are incredibly gratified to see this kind of collaboration with organizations coming together for their communities to make for a safer, stronger B.C. now and into the future.”
The vast majority of British Columbians are able to adhere to B.C.’s mandatory face-covering rules. However, the United Way identified a concern that not everyone who needs to travel to access essential public services or for other essential reasons has the means or ability to obtain a clean face mask. This has prompted Deloitte to team up with TransLink, and a variety of other organizations to help solve this challenge.
“For Deloitte, this is about making an impact that matters when it comes to equality, prosperity, and fairness for all British Columbians,” said Etienne Bruson, Vice Chair of Deloitte in British Columbia. “We wanted to do all we could in collaboration with B.C. businesses and other organizations in taking the first steps towards reinforcing confidence in the transportation sector and getting our economy moving again, safely.”
Distribution of the one million masks began in Metro Vancouver in late January, expanding throughout 45 different British Columbia coastal communities and the Interior this week via United Way’s province-wide support network of over 100 local agency locations. It is expected that this distribution targeting a variety of populations from kids and young families to seniors and the homeless population will continue through March.
“We’ve seen that wearing masks goes a long way in controlling the spread of COVID-19, which is why TransLink implemented our mandatory mask policy last summer,” said TransLink Interim CEO Gigi Chen-Kuo. “We are joining this initiative to continue encouraging mask use so that we can move towards recovery and welcome more of our customers back onto transit.”
For more information about the program, locations, and how those who need masks can obtain them via the local UWLM community partner/agency: www.uwlm.ca/onemillionmasks.
