Is my retail business considered an essential service?
Multiple provinces have ordered the closure of non essential businesses. Find out if your business is an essential service for each region below:

Province | Grocery | Pharmacy | Convenience | Hardware | Liquor/ Cannabis | Restaurants | Other | Shopping Malls |
British Columbia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes – both | No – takeout / delivery only | Yes. Only seated food and beverage businesses and personal service businesses (hair and nail salons, tattoo parlours and spas) must be closed. Every other retail format can open but must follow the rules. | Yes – some voluntary closures/reduced hours other than access to essential businesses |
Alberta | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes – both | No – takeout / delivery only | Yes – IT/telecommunication services, automotive repair, office supplies, pet food, dry cleaners, etc. | Yes – some voluntary closures/reduced hours other than access to essential businesses |
Saskatchewan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes – both | No – takeout / delivery only | Yes – IT/telecommunication services, automotive dealers/repair, office supplies, pet food, dry cleaners, etc. | Yes – some voluntary closures/reduced hours other than access to essential businesses |
Manitoba | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes – both | No – takeout / delivery only | Yes – IT/telecommunication services, automotive repair, office supplies, pet food, dry cleaners, etc. | Yes – some voluntary closures/reduced hours other than access to essential businesses |
Ontario | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes – liquor (Cannabis online only) | No – takeout / delivery only | Yes – IT/telecommunication services, automotive repair, dry cleaners, etc. | No – unless essential businesses are in the mall and lack outside entrances |
Quebec | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes – both | No – takeout / delivery only | Yes – IT/telecommunication services, automotive repair, pet food, dry cleaners, etc. | No – other than essential businesses with street access |
Newfoundland and Labrador | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes – liquor (some stores pick-up only) (Cannabis online only) | No – takeout / delivery only | Yes – IT/telecommunication services, automotive repair, office supplies, pet food, dry cleaners, etc. | Yes – some voluntary closures/reduced hours other than access to essential businesses |
New Brunswick | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes – both | No – takeout / delivery only | Yes – IT/telecommunication services, automotive repair, office supplies, pet food, dry cleaners, etc. | Yes – some voluntary closures/reduced hours other than access to essential businesses |
Nova Scotia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes – both | No – takeout / delivery only | Yes – IT/telecommunication services, automotive repair, office supplies, pet food, dry cleaners, etc. | Yes – some voluntary closures/reduced hours other than access to essential businesses |
Prince Edward Island | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes – liquor (limited store locations) Cannabis online only | No – takeout / delivery only | Yes – IT/telecommunication services, automotive repair, office supplies, pet food, dry cleaners, etc. | No – unless essential businesses are in the mall and lack outside entrances |
Yukon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes – both | No – takeout / delivery only | Yes – IT/telecommunication services, automotive repair, pet food, dry cleaners, etc. | Yes – some voluntary closures/reduced hours other than access to essential businesses |
Northwest Territories | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes – both | No – takeout / delivery only | Yes – IT/telecommunication services, automotive repair, pet food, dry cleaners, etc. | Yes – some voluntary closures/reduced hours other than access to essential businesses |
Nunavut | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes – liquor (Cannabis online only) | No – takeout / delivery only | Yes – IT/telecommunication services, automotive repair, pet food, dry cleaners, etc. | Yes – some voluntary closures/reduced hours other than access to essential businesses |
See also: