COVID-19 Updates News
Definition of ‘essential businesses’ varies across Canada

In response to the pandemic, provinces and territories have issued restrictions on business operation. Each has posted a list of services deemed essential and these vary depending on the jurisdiction.

Drinking water is not named explicitly on several of these lists. Consult your provincial association and specific provincial and territorial websites for official and up-to-date information.

Provinces where all non-essential businesses must close:

Newfoundland and Labrador: https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/closures/

Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/list-essential-workplaces

Prince Edward Island lists: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-and-wellness/essential-and-non-essential-services-covid-19

Quebec: https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/essential-services-commercial-activities-covid19/

Saskatchewan: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/public-health-measures/public-health-orders

Alberta: https://www.alberta.ca/restrictions-on-gatherings.aspx

Manitoba: https://yukon.ca/en/health-and-wellness/covid-19/essential-services-yukon-during-covid-19

Provinces and territories with partial business closures:

British Columbia: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/essential-services-covid-19

New Brunswick: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Corporate/pdf/EmergencyUrgence19.pdf

Northwest Territories: https://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/en/covid-19-information

Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/#alerts

Yukon: https://yukon.ca/en/health-and-wellness/covid-19/essential-services-yukon-during-covid-19