Our contribution to Canadians in uncertain times

Now more than ever, essential services such as healthcare, food distribution and sanitation depend on a reliable energy supply. But what is less known is that our industry is also making some of the key ingredients in products that are helping to slow the spread of COVID-19 such as hand sanitizers, soaps and surface cleaners. 

Shell is helping the Canadian healthcare sector by donating 125,000 litres of isopropyl alcohol, or IPA, to the Government of Canada free of charge over the next three months. IPA makes up about half the content of hand-sanitizing liquids, and Shell’s donation is approximately enough to create nearly one million 12-oz bottles of hand sanitizer for use in hospitals and medical facilities.

The IPA being donated is made at Shell’s Sarnia Manufacturing Centre in Corunna, Ontario. Over the past month, the team there has been working especially hard to meet the surge in demand for IPA. Customers that use IPA for non-health-related goods have been asked to delay their orders if possible.

We are also finding other ways to give back to Canadians during this pandemic. In close to 15,000 Shell gas stations across more than 30 countries, including sites across Canada, we’re providing free food and beverages to healthcare professionals, such as nurses and doctors, who are working tirelessly on the front lines of this pandemic. You can read more about this offer here. It’s our way to thank healthcare workers who are truly some of the unsung heroes in this crisis. 

As the impact of COVID-19 grows, so does the demand for social services. We are especially mindful of those experiencing hardship during this time, and are responding where we can to the evolving needs of the communities where we live and work.

We’re proud that Shell Canada has contributed $250,000 to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund, a collaboration with The City of Calgary, including the Calgary Emergency Management Agency, and United Way of Calgary and Area. The resources raised through this fund will ensure agencies on the ground can continue their critical work in this time of need. This includes vulnerable populations at greatest risk, including the elderly, those experiencing mental health and addiction issues, persons with disabilities, Indigenous communities, and others who may be impacted by this public health crisis. 

To support communities across Canada, we have also launched the #FuellingKindness through Feeding Communities campaign with our Shell employees and retirees, where we are matching their contributions up to $100,000 to support local foodbanks across Canada. This is a way for Shell Canada people to virtually support their communities during this time through our #FuellingKindness program, whose physical volunteer-led events have paused to ensure everyone’s safety. 

I thank my Shell Canada team who continue to go above and beyond to keep our operations running to meet the needs of all Canadians who depend on our products every day, while at the same time putting in considerable effort to respond to the needs of their families and communities. We are all in this together and I’m proud of how we’re working to support each other during this difficult time.

Michael Crothers
President and Country Chair, Shell Canada