Career Professionals of Canada Bulletin on COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Our thoughts go out to our members, colleagues, clients, and others who have been affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. We know it’s never been more important to help Canadians through this difficult time – especially those living in vulnerable communities, managing precarious work situations, and dealing with difficult life circumstances. There is a great deal of uncertainty right now, and so we want to reach out directly with an update.
How We Are Supporting Our Community
We’re thinking a lot about our member community and we hope you’re staying safe and healthy.
- As a member services organization operating virtually, we are able to remain open. You can still access all member benefits. Our courses and certification programs are also still running.
- We are primarily a volunteer-based organization that relies on membership income to support our programs. We realize that many career professionals may be concerned about their financial situation at this time. So, we have extended our $50 off annual membership offer through
AprilMay 2020. - We have also set up a special Zoom video-conference call for members on Tuesday, March 17th at 1:00 p.m. Eastern to discuss their challenges and concerns. While we are not medical experts, CPC is about community and we want to support you as best we can.
Our Business Continuity Plan
Be assured that we already have a pre-emptive business continuity plan in place:
- Our core management and training team members have the capability to work remotely and access our advanced, up-to-date technology systems seamlessly and without interruption.
- Staff are cross-trained to perform essential functions allowing us to continue to operate even if key team members are absent.
- Our advisors are helping to identify additional emergency strategies to allow for the continuation of services that you are accustomed to receiving.
- We will continue to monitor and update our practices and policies in accordance with the recommendations and directives of public health officials and government, and provide updates as necessary.
All of this remains dynamic and we are ready for a range of outcomes. We won’t solve every challenge, but we promise to serve our members, our colleagues, and communities as best we can. In the interim, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us directly.
March 11, 2020
Career Professionals of Canada continues to closely monitor the outbreak of COVID-19, also known as the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. At this time, there are a very limited number of confirmed cases in Canada. Here are some tips on how career professionals and their clients can stay healthy and prevent the spread of infections.
If you meet clients in person at your office, help reduce the potential impact of COVID-19:
- Stay informed about reports of coronavirus in your area.
- Consider modifying the delivery of your programs to remote (online/phone) services.
- Encourage staff who are feeling unwell with cold or flu-like symptoms to stay home until they are better.
- Anticipate and plan for a reduction in service delivery based on available staff.
- Screen staff, clients, and visitors for respiratory illness.
- Have supplies such as hand soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting solution available throughout your office.
- Regularly disinfect surfaces that are touched frequently such as desks, doorknobs, and phones.
- Expect that vulnerable populations may be impacted and prepare accordingly.
Everyone should take the following steps to avoid spreading seasonal colds and flu. These tips will help protect those who are at high risk, and reduce the impact on healthcare services:
- Stay home while sick with cold-like symptoms.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cough or sneeze into your arm or sleeve and not into your hands.
- Dispose of tissues in the trash immediately after using them and then wash your hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces on a regular basis.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
More information about coronavirus: