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Canada Goose to start producing medical gowns for hospitals, donate at no cost

Workers make jackets at the Canada Goose factory in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, February 23, 2018.   REUTERS/Mark Blinch
REUTERS/Mark Blinch

Canada Goose (GOOS) will reopen two of its manufacturing facilities and begin producing medical scrubs and patient gowns to help in the fight against COVID-19.

Starting next week, the high-end parka maker will produce scrubs and patient gowns that it says are in short supply at hospitals across the country. About 100 employees will manufacture the gear at its production facilities in Winnipeg and Toronto, with an initial goal of producing 10,000 units.

The scrubs and gowns will be donated to local hospitals at no cost.

“Now is the time to put our manufacturing resources and capabilities to work for the greater good,” Canada Goose’s chief executive Dani Reiss said in a statement.

“Our employees are ready, willing and able to help, and that’s what we’re doing. It’s the Canadian thing to do.”

The company also said it will follow recommendations issued by the provincial and federal governments, as well as local health authorities, to ensure a safe work environment for its employees. Sanitation measures within the facilities will be increased.

Manufacturing companies across the country have been holding discussions with various levels of government about using their facilities to help produce medical supplies and equipment to fight the spread and impact of the coronavirus.

Last week, the federal government said it will help companies that are currently producing medical supplies – such as masks, ventilators and hand sanitizer – to “massively scale-up” production. Ottawa will also provide support for companies that have offered to pivot their manufacturing facilities to produce medical equipment.

Many companies have also set up funds to ensure employees will receive financial support amid the coronavirus outbreak. Canada Goose set up an Employee Support Fund for those affected by store and manufacturing closures who are not eligible for government assistance. Reiss has said he will forego his salary for at least three months, donating it to the Employee Support Fund.

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