Canada Goose and Ryan Reynolds Bring Warmth to Northern Canadian Community
Canada Goose, in partnership with Ryan Reynolds, is donating over 300 parkas and Baffin footwear to Inuujaq School in Arctic Bay, Nunavut. The initiative addresses the urgent need for winter clothing amid COVID-19 disruptions. Additionally, Canada Goose is expanding its Resource Centre Program, committing to donate thousands of repurposed parkas to Inuit communities across Nunavut starting November 2020. This program aims to promote sustainability while supporting local needs, building on over a decade of contributions to northern communities.
- Donation of over 300 parkas and Baffin footwear to Inuujaq School.
- Expansion of Resource Centre Program to donate thousands of repurposed parkas.
- Commitment to sustainability and circular business model.
- Support for Inuit communities and addressing urgent clothing needs.
- Ongoing impact of COVID-19 on supply shipments to Arctic communities.
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Canada Goose and actor, producer, and entrepreneur, Ryan Reynolds announce the donation of more than 300 Canada Goose parkas and Baffin footwear to outfit the students of Inuujaq School in Arctic Bay, Nunavut. Canada Goose is also announcing the expansion of its Resource Centre Program, with a commitment to donate thousands of repurposed parkas to Arctic communities across Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland in Canada, in partnership with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) beginning November 2020; this is in addition to the brand’s ongoing donations of fabric and materials it has made for more than a decade.
Inuujaq School, located within the Qikiqtani Region of Nunavut, sits above the Arctic Circle on Baffin Island and is home to more than 300 students. Communities in the North rely on shipments for essential goods, and COVID-19 has significantly impacted the frequency of shipments. Arctic Bay, being one of the most northern hamlets in Nunavut, has seen its access to everyday items greatly reduced, making the need for winterwear more important than ever before.
“It came to my attention students at Inuujaq School in Arctic Bay were going without adequate winter clothing. Of course, it highlights a larger issue of basic needs going unmet in Canada’s northern communities,” said Reynolds. “I reached out to Canada Goose to match me in providing these students with essential winter gear. They not only said yes in under 30 seconds, but went so far above and beyond matching me. I’m deeply inspired and grateful.”
"Our mission is to promote the skills, confidence and cultural pride in our students so they can pursue their dreams, realize their ambitions, become life-long learners and contribute to their community,” said Gregg Durrant, Inuujaq School Principal. “Living in a northern community, access to almost everything is limited, and this has been accentuated by the impact of COVID-19. We are so appreciative of the warmth Ryan and Canada Goose have shown our students, their gift will be remembered for years to come.”
Furthering its commitment to Inuit communities, Canada Goose is also expanding its Resource Centre Program, in partnership with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), the national representational organization for Inuit in Canada. The program, which has donated over one million metres of fabric and material to communities in the North for parka making, will now include donations of repurposed parkas, many upcycled from Canada Goose’s warranty program. These refurbished parkas will not only deliver warmth to communities in all four regions of Inuit Nunangat, but also deliver against Canada Goose’s commitment to sustainability, building a more circular business model and diverting waste. This is the latest commitment from Canada Goose, building on its Sustainable Impact Strategy, which launched in April 2020.
“We are committed to keeping the earth cold and the people on it warm – and with today’s announcement, we’re delivering on both of those commitments,” said Dani Reiss, President & CEO of Canada Goose. “We were born in the North and our support of its people is unwavering. I’m proud that we, along with Ryan, are able to deliver warmth to the students of Inuujaq School in Arctic Bay. And now, through our expanded Resource Centre Program, we will bring the warmth of Canada Goose to even more communities across the Arctic.”
“We are happy to partner with Canada Goose on another significant initiative that will benefit Inuit,” said ITK President Natan Obed. “This contribution will help ensure that families have what they need to celebrate our winter weather with gear that is appropriate to our climate and supportive of our way of life. Inuit have survived since time immemorial crafting clothing from materials found in our environment. But we know that not all families have access to handmade or traditionally made parkas. This initiative will support those in our communities who need it most.”
Canada Goose’s commitment to the North spans more than a decade. Created in 2009, the Canada Goose Resource Centre Program has been expanding ever since its debut. As of 2020, the program has impacted more than 10 communities with its donation and delivery of more than one million metres of fabric and materials to remote communities in Canada’s North.
To learn more about the Canada Goose Resource Centre, visit: www.canadagoose.com/ca/en/honouring-the-north.html.
About Canada Goose
Founded in a small warehouse in Toronto, Canada in 1957, Canada Goose has grown into one of the world’s leading makers of performance luxury apparel. Every collection is informed by the rugged demands of the Arctic and inspired by relentless innovation and uncompromised craftsmanship. From the coldest places on Earth to global fashion capitals, people are proud to wear Canada Goose products. Canada Goose is a recognized leader for its Made in Canada commitment, and is a long-time partner of Polar Bears International. Visit www.canadagoose.com for more information.
About ITK
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) is a federally incorporated registered charitable organization representing the rights and interests of over 65,000 Inuit in Canada on a range of socio-economic, cultural, health, environmental and political issues at the national level. ITK works on behalf of Inuit who live in the four land claim settlement regions of Inuit Nunangat – the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut – and across Canada.
