We helped Alberta, Canada distribute 40 million masks to the public

Melissa D. | Manager, Government and Public Affairs | Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The Province of Alberta approached McDonald’s Canada earlier this year with a unique request: Could they leverage our Drive Thrus — and later, our restaurants — to help distribute millions of non-medical masks to Albertan citizens?

Given our footprint in communities, and our commitment to protect the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve, we readily said yes. We joined forces with other quick-service restaurant brands who participated because we knew we could meet our communities where they were already: our Drive Thrus and in restaurants. 

When the program began in June, 157 McDonald’s restaurants were participating. Before long, 163 restaurants were distributing masks to customers through Drive Thrus and from behind the counter. In total, our efforts helped ensure 40 million masks were provided to Albertans. 

This wasn’t always an easy task. The Province’s unique approach meant the mask delivery, distribution and communication efforts fell squarely on the shoulders of participating quick-service restaurants — which were already managing resource challenges and reopening efforts. Still, the challenges were worth it, and Alberta’s Minister of Health Tyler Shandro thanked us and other corporate partners for our “tremendous support and contribution in making this program a success.”  

We’re always ready to step up and serve our communities, even when it’s difficult.