Essential Services Contingency Reserve: Overview
Explore if your organization or business is eligible to request access to the Government of Canada's Essential Services Contingency Reserve (ESCR). Learn about the contingency reserve, find eligibility requirements and access application forms.
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About
The ESCR provides eligible businesses or organizations with access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and critical supplies to address urgent, short-term needs and protect frontline workers.
PPE and critical supplies are provided to businesses and organizations in essential service sectors on a cost recovery-basis and to organizations serving Indigenous communities, the social service sector, and provincial or territorial governments at no cost.
The ESCR complements existing PPE support being provided to frontline health care workers by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Who can apply
The ESCR provides support through the following 3 streams:
Essential service sectors
Organizations eligible for this stream provide services to critical infrastructure that is essential to everyone in Canada’s health, safety, security, and economic well-being.
Critical infrastructure includes:
- energy and utilities
- information and communication technologies
- finance
- health
- food
- water
- transportation
- safety
- government
- manufacturing
For more information about what types of specific organizations are included in each of these areas consult:
Guidance on essential services and functions in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic
Businesses and organizations in essential service sectors may access a short-term supply of PPE on a cost-recovery basis and reorder only in exceptional circumstances.
How to apply
If your organization meets this eligibility criteria, learn more about:
How to apply for Stream 1: Essential service sectors
Organizations serving Indigenous communities
Organizations eligible for this stream provide services to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. This includes services provided to Indigenous communities such as, but not limited to, those provided by:
- band councils
- Friendship Centres
- community centres
- schools
- community outreach programs
- housing and shelter organizations
- emergency management agencies
- urban/off-reserve Indigenous organizations providing services to off-reserve populations
- Métis Nation community, provincial, and national councils
- Métis family well-being programs
- Indigenous women’s circles
- Inuit community organizations and national associations
- community programming for Inuit youth, families, and children
- 2SLGBTQ+ circles
Businesses and organizations serving Indigenous communities may access short term supply of PPE at no cost and reorder based on the availability of requested supplies. As items are being provided at no cost, they cannot be sold or transferred for profit.
How to apply
If your organization meets this eligibility criteria, learn more about:
How to apply for Stream 2: Organizations serving Indigenous communities
Social service sectors
Organizations eligible for this stream provide services-based social programs in support of personal, social and emotional well-being. These include health care, housing and social development programming, provided by organizations such as:
- registered charitable organizations and qualified donees
- non-government organizations
- not-for-profit organizations
Organizations in the social service sector may access short term supply of PPE at no cost and reorder based on the availability of requested supplies. As items are being provided at no cost, they cannot be sold or transferred for profit.
How to apply
If your organization meets this eligibility criteria, learn more about:
How to apply for Stream 3: Social service sectors
Other COVID-19 response resources
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