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Community Support & Recovery Plan
Supporting our Community through the COVID-19 Pandemic
In spring 2020, the City of Coquitlam launched the COVID-19 Community Support and Recovery Plan (CSRP) to foster community resilience and recovery by providing direct relief to residents, businesses, not-for-profit groups and other organizations.
The CSRP was developed as an umbrella plan that enables the City to provide support at the local level, and in tandem with supports being provided by other levels of government. The plan also recognizes that not all community members who need help or provide value are property owners. The multi-phased framework is designed to support all sectors of the community with projects and initiatives within the jurisdiction of local government.
Coquitlam Council allocated an initial $5-million from reserve funds to launch the plan, and additional funding is possible based on emerging needs and opportunities.
To promote economic recovery, the City is also seeking federal and provincial stimulus funding for City capital projects to provide jobs and promote economic recovery.
Read the staff reports:
- April 29, 2020: Coquitlam COVID-19 Community Support and Recovery Plan (CSRP)
- Sept. 9, 2020: Coquitlam COVID-19 Community Support and Recovery Plan Update
- Nov. 23, 2020: Community Support and Recovery Plan Update
CSRP Initiatives
A range of supports has already rolled out (see tabs below) with more planned into 2021. View this framework (PDF) for an overview of supports being considered through the program.
Because the CSRP is intended to be flexible and responsive to new challenges and opportunities, programs may change or be added in the months ahead.
Watch this page for updates and new initiatives.
New and ongoing CSRP initiatives include:
- Grants for not-for-profits and other community groups for revenue replacement or pandemic response
- Meals for Seniors delivery and pickup program
- A temporary program allowing businesses to expand their services outdoors
- Deferring some security fees for construction projects
- A variety of business information and supports in the Business Support Portal
- Reduced drop-in recreation activity fees
- Temporary waiver of late fees for 2020 business licences
- Relaxed temporary sign regulations for businesses
- An extra 30 minutes of free City Centre street parking to encourage local shopping (beginning Dec. 15, 2020)
CSRP initiatives that took place in spring and summer 2020 included:
- Deferring 2020 property tax and utility deadlines to Sept. 30
- Free online recreation programs
- Grants for physically-distant block parties
- Paid opportunities for businesses and organizations to participate in civic events, such as Coquitlam Celebrates Canada Day
Check here for future initiatives in late 2020 and 2021, including:
- Financial contributions to SHARE's food and rent banks totalling $50,000 (fall 2020, repeated in 2021)
- Free use of temporary outdoor shelters in public spaces for community activities (fall 2020, after the ban on group activities is lifted)
- Grants to the City's cultural partners for COVID-19 activities (early 2021)
- Pop-up Green Street pilot program in the spring to encourage safe outdoor social interaction and support local businesses (early spring 2021)
- Modified block party program with grants for safe celebrations (spring and summer 2021)
- New public Wi-Fi spots at Galloway Park, Brookmere Park, the Mundy Park dog park and the Blue Mountain Park tennis courts (by fall 2021)
- Additional economic development initiatives to support local businesses (throughout 2021)
To maximize the City’s investment and help those most in need, evaluation criteria has been developed to ensure proposed expenditures:
- Target a high-need area impacted by the pandemic
- Do not overlap with a federal or provincial jurisdiction or other recovery programs
- Do not create legal challenges or long-term financial risks
- Practical and cost-effective to administer
- Enhance or supplement existing City programs and services whenever possible
- Provide sustained support rather than just immediate relief whenever possible
- Leverage the capacity, knowledge and resources of other partners whenever possible