Is Vancouver Canada’s Kindest City? A Conversation With Coca-Cola

Kindness is having a moment—and Vancouver is leading the charge. As Coca-Cola in Canada brings back Canada’s Kindest Community, Vancouverites are stepping up in powerful, heartfelt ways, from grassroots park cleanups to student-led environmental initiatives and holiday fundraisers supporting seniors. With communities across the country vying for the title—and a chance to win $100,000 for a local charity—we sat down with Justin Emerson, General Manager for Coca-Cola Canada in the Lower Mainland, to talk about why kindness is contagious, how Vancouver is showing up in a big way, and what this nationwide movement means as the submission deadline approaches. —Noa Nichol

Vancouver is showing up in a big way—what’s one act of kindness from the city that genuinely stopped you in your tracks or made you smile when you first heard about it?

Vancouver has shown up this year! We’ve received hundreds of submissions from Vancouver, and one that particularly stood out is about a person who noticed several community members in need of winter gloves.

To support their community, they placed a box of gloves at a local bus stop along with a handwritten note inviting anyone in need to take one. While that act alone is commendable, it was remarkable to see how that one gesture quickly became a shared act of care – sparking conversations, encouraging others to add scarves and hats, and inspiring similar boxes. It was such a simple yet powerful reminder that kindness is contagious, which is the belief our program is based on; the ripple effect that makes life better for those around us.

From park clean-ups to students planting trees to neighbours supporting seniors, kindness in Vancouver seems both creative and collective—what do you think it is about this city that inspires people to show up for one another like this?

Vancouver has a strong sense of community and connection. There is a “stronger together” mentality that exists in Vancouver, and a sense of pride for those who exemplify it. We read through stories of community members providing food for the homeless, rallying together to support a local musician and more. That collective mindset is telling of how people see their neighbours and genuinely care for their well-being.   

Canada’s Kindest Community isn’t just about feel-good moments—it comes with a chance to direct $100,000 to a local charity. Why is it important for Coca-Cola to pair kindness with real, tangible impact?

Kindness is contagious, and it lives at the heart of community. Canada’s Kindest Community proves that even the smallest acts can make a real difference. Through this initiative, we want to celebrate those everyday gestures and amplify their impact by giving back in a big way. By supporting a charity serving the winning community with $100,000, we’re providing meaningful support in a way that meets that community’s unique needs—helping strengthen the spirit of kindness and inspiring it for generations to come.

You’ve seen submissions from across the country—what makes the acts of kindness coming out of Vancouver stand out in the national conversation so far?

We saw an increase in volume in the number of submissions from Vancouver this year compared to last year, and with that came so many more meaningful stories that were shared. This included large-scale initiatives like organizing fundraisers that provided for seniors, and smaller acts like carrying groceries. Whether the story was a grand or simple gesture, all stories reflected a strong sense of community pride and a sense of belonging.  

For readers who feel inspired but might think their everyday good deeds are “too small” to matter, what would you say to encourage them to nominate an act of kindness before the January 1, 2026 deadline?

No act of kindness is “too small”. We truly believe that kindness is contagious, and even small gestures like bringing a box of gloves to a bus stop can trigger a bigger reaction from community members who equally want to do their part. Canada’s Kindest Community is about recognizing acts of kindness and celebrating how they make life brighter for others.