20 million free masks available province-wide

On July 13, 2020 the Government of Alberta announced that Albertans have another chance to pick up free non-medical face masks at the counter or drive-thru of their local A&W, McDonald’s Canada or Tim Hortons restaurant.

Masks are now available at more than 700 partner restaurant locations, including those without drive-thru service, adding more than 100 new locations and expanding the availability of masks to Albertans. No purchase is necessary to pick up masks in restaurants, either at the counter or through drive-thrus.

Albertans are encouraged to pick up masks for family and friends to reduce traffic at partner restaurant locations. Masks will be available at restaurants while supplies last.

Quick facts

• Mask use is not mandatory; they are an option for situations where maintaining a distance of two metres is not possible.
• This program is intended to supplement an individual’s own efforts to acquire non-medical masks. Albertans who wish to use non-medical masks are encouraged to purchase their own supply from local retailers in addition to using those provided by government.
• From the supply of 20 million masks:
  • Nine million are being distributed by partner restaurants. 
  • Four million are being provided to 20 municipal transit system operators, including Calgary, Red Deer, and Edmonton, primarily for distribution to transit users. 
    • 7-Eleven Canada is providing logistics support to ship non-medical masks to transit system operators across the province.
  • 2.5 million have been provided to places of worship.
  • 900,000 are going to long-term care and seniors facilities.
  • 800,000 are going to First Nations communities and Metis Settlements.
  • 500,000 are going to communities without easy access to restaurants. 
  • 1.5 million are being offered to social services organizations to support vulnerable Albertans.
  • 500,000 are going to court houses for distribution to the public attending court proceedings.
  • 300,000 are held in reserve for communities that may experience outbreaks and require additional masks.
• Municipalities, First Nations communities and Metis Settlements, transit services, places of worship, long-term care, seniors facilities and all participating service organizations will develop their own distribution programs and timelines.
• There are several locations for each restaurant partner that are unable to participate due to their small size limiting their ability to store masks, or the fact they are located inside a separate business or facility such as a Walmart, shopping mall or hospital food court.
• Restaurants that are still closed due to COVID-19 restrictions do not have masks available.
• Restaurants will provide eight masks per person – this may come in two packs of four, or in one pack of eight.
• Contact Alberta 211 for assistance if you cannot access a restaurant partner or access masks through alternate municipal or community providers.
• Alberta 211 is a community service partner supporting the distribution of masks. Any concerns or complaints about the distribution of masks should be directed to the feedback form on alberta.ca/masks.
• Instructions for proper care and use of non-medical masks are available at alberta.ca/masks.

For more information, visit the Government of Alberta website.