Canadian Urban Institute: A Snapshot of COVID in Canada’s Cities at Day 300
January 8, 20210
A Snapshot of COVID in Canada’s Cities at Day 300
The Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) continues to track the impacts of COVID-19 on Canadian cities, with a third COVID Signpost report released this week that signals a growing disconnect between virus-related research and recovery response.
Of the 573,000 cases and 15,500 deaths announced on January 3rd 2021, Canadaās 20 largest cities (representing 42 per cent of Canadaās population) have experienced over 65 per cent of cases (373,319) and 69 per cent of deaths (10,725).
This has had a devastating impact on main streets and downtowns across the country. Small businesses have been asked to meet a range of safety protocols to help mitigate the spread of the virus, and fewer residents are congregating on main streets, leading to dramatic declines in foot traffic and consumer patterns, as well as increases in vandalism and crime. As the report suggests, examining the risks and vulnerabilities in each city and neighbourhood is critical to not only understand the relationship between places and cases, but how recovery efforts can best support local populations most seriously affected.
Data cited in previous CUI research and reinforced here confirms what we already know: COVID-19 is an urban crisis that requires urban solutions. Local leaders require more power and resources to drive the solutions their communities need, both in the immediate crisis and in its aftermath.
CUI is Canada’s Urban Instiute. We are the national platform that houses the best in Canadian city building ā where policymakers, urban professionals, civic and business leaders, community activists and academics can learn, share and collaborate with one another from coast to coast to coast. (Registered charity #121844419 RR000)
