Toronto Entrepreneurs Are Donating Proceeds From Their Products To Anti-Racist Efforts

Toronto's business owners are taking it upon themselves to support protesters during the current political climate. Tons of artists and self-employed people in the city have announced that they will be donating proceeds from their sales to social relief efforts. These include Black Lives Matter, the family of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, and anti-racism organizations in Canada and the U.S.Protests were held in Toronto, and across Canada, after the death of 29-year-old Regis Korchinski-Paquet in Toronto, which occurred three days after the death of George Floyd. 

Police were called to the woman's home in Toronto, and her death is currently being investigated. While petitions and GoFundMe pages have appeared online to support the family, Toronto businesses are also doing their part to chip in. Entrepreneurs have been sharing posts pledging to donate proceeds to anti-racism and relief organizations of their choice.

Efforts are going to food banks, the Toronto and Minnesota bail out funds, Toronto shelters, and more. If Toronto bailouts are not needed, the money will go to the family of Regis Korchinski-Paquet.As people continue to post resources online about how to support anti-racism in Ontario, it looks like information about where to donate is coming through. Both The Weeknd and Drake have given out lump sums of cash to bail out funds in the U.S. 

"Proceeds from all meals sold by The Hungry Gyal will now INDEFINITELY be going to @africanfoodbskt, an organization based in Toronto feeding black families in need of support and food assistance," one business owner tweeted.

From food services and visual artists, to clothing brand owners and more, people from different sectors are using their earnings to support those who need it right now.

"About to do a pre-order for t-shirts that will have all of its profits donated to the bailout funds within Toronto and Minnesota," one business owner on Twitter wrote, before linking their clothing brand.

"@liviluci is also an amazing Toronto nail artist who is donating proceeds from her Handmande Custom Nails and Cuteiclez Oils to various relief funds," wrote another.

As the city's residents take note to spread awareness and donations, officials have also spoken out about racism in Canada. Trudeau has said that we need to "do better", while Ford has said that it isn't as bad in Canada as in the U.S., before retracting that statement.

Toronto isn't the only city working to support the movement. In Ottawa, more peaceful protests have been planned for Friday, June 3.

*This article's cover image is for illustrative purposes only.