Canada Goose dedicates manufacturing resources in fight against COVID-19

A luxury outerwear brand is leveraging its own resources to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. 

Canada Goose announced the company will leverage its manufacturing facilities to begin production of necessary medical gear for frontline healthcare workers and patients across Canada in the fight against COVID-19. The company has committed to producing medical scrubs and patient gowns, which are in short supply across Canada, at two of its manufacturing facilities, starting in Toronto and Winnipeg, with the opportunity to extend production across additional facilities as needed. The gear will be distributed to local hospitals at no cost.

“Across Canada, there are people risking their lives every day on the frontlines of COVID-19 in healthcare facilities, and they need help,” said Dani Reiss, president & CEO, Canada Goose. “Now is the time to put our manufacturing resources and capabilities to work for the greater good. Our employees are ready, willing and able to help, and that’s what we’re doing. It’s the Canadian thing to do.”

Last week, in a letter to Canada Goose employees, Reiss said that he will forego his salary for at least the next three months. The company is using his compensation funds to establish a support fund for employees who are impacted by Canada Goose store closures but are not eligible for government assistance.

Production of the medical gear is set to begin early next week. Approximately 50 Canada Goose employees per facility will work to manufacture the items and have an initial goal of producing 10,000 units.

The company is working closely with federal, provincial and local health authorities and will follow the recommended protocols to ensure a safe work environment for employees, including: implementing social distancing protocols, limiting the number of employees located within specific spaces, and increasing sanitation measures within facilities to ensure the health and safety of team members.