Creating Jobs in Unprecedented Times

Ralph Goldfinger (far right) with his father, Charles Goldfinger (centre) and two brothers Lorie (far left) and Howie (second from left). Charles Goldfinger established Canada Sportswear in 1954 after arriving in Canada through the Tailor Project.

A Special Message From Ralph Goldfinger, CEO/Apparel Division of Canada Sportswear

To say that these last couple months have been turbulent is an understatement. Our way of life in North America, and all over the world, has been disrupted like never before. Most companies have been forced to close. Social gatherings are prohibited. Long-term care centres are riddled with COVID-19-related deaths. Each and every one of us has experienced some form of distress.  When unprecedented circumstances arise, we have been given the opportunity to give back and help one another. This is where the Impakt Foundation comes into the picture.

I met Paul and Leah of the Impakt Foundation in 2019 through the Tailor Project, a program my father became a part of in 1948. My father, who passed away in December 2016, was a tailor during WWII. At the time, the government of Canada created a program that sponsored immigrants who had experience operating sewing machines. My father's legacy lives on to this day through our garment manufacturing firm Canada Sportswear, which was established by him in 1954.  

Over the past several months, Canada Sportswear has been working with Paul and Leah to support Canadian newcomers with employment.  Due to COVID-19 that process was interrupted.  We however have recently resumed our search and look forward in moving ahead in this pursuit.  As we all know two months ago, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. In order to stay relevant to the current environment, Canada Sportswear had to transition its product supply to PPE (personal protective equipment) in a matter of days. Paul and Leah have been working with me to help support these efforts. 

During these uncertain times, we employ about 80 people. This means people are gainfully employed. We are producing non-medical grade PPE, which helps in two ways: it minimizes the spread of the virus among the civilian population, and it ensures medical-grade PPE is allocated to frontline workers battling this pandemic. 

It gives me great pride to be working with Impakt Foundation. I look forward to further making a difference, so that we emerge from this experience stronger and more united than ever.

By: Ralph Goldfinger, CEO/Apparel Division, Canada Sportswear