Canada has room for local delivery platforms: smaller cities the big apps serve poorly, cultural cuisines, independent grocers and campus markets. It also has rules that differ by province, which catch out founders who copy a plan from another country. Rich Labs has a Canadian base, and this is the checklist we go through with Canadian clients before launch. It isn't legal or tax advice, so confirm the specifics with an accountant and a lawyer in your province.
1. Business structure and accounts
- Incorporate, federally or provincially. A corporation is easier for merchant accounts, contracts with restaurants and store developer accounts.
- Open a business bank account in the company's name.
- Enrol in the Apple Developer Program and Google Play Console as an organisation. Apple will ask for a D-U-N-S number. This puts your company name on the store listings, which builds trust.
2. GST/HST and sales tax
Once your taxable revenue passes the small-supplier threshold (currently $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters), you must register for GST/HST, and you may want to register earlier. Rates differ by province, and some provinces also have their own sales tax, such as QST in Quebec and PST in BC, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
For a marketplace, work out with your accountant how tax applies to your commission, your delivery fees and the restaurant's sales. Then configure tax settings in your admin panel to match. Getting this wrong is expensive to unwind.
3. French for Quebec
If you operate in Quebec, the Charter of the French language, strengthened by Bill 96, generally requires French to be available for consumers: the app interface, the website, contracts, terms and customer communications. 6amTech apps support multiple languages, but you'll need proper French translations for every app string, notification template, email and store listing. Budget for professional translation, not machine output.
4. Privacy
Delivery apps collect names, phone numbers, addresses and location, and driver apps track location continuously during shifts. In Canada:
- Federally, PIPEDA governs how private businesses handle personal information.
- Quebec's Law 25 adds stricter requirements, including privacy impact assessments, consent and a designated person responsible for privacy.
- BC and Alberta have their own private-sector privacy laws.
At minimum, publish a clear privacy policy, collect only what you need, explain location tracking to drivers, and give users a way to delete their account. Both app stores require that last one anyway.
5. Riders and drivers
How you engage couriers is the most important legal decision you'll make. Several provinces now regulate app-based work:
- Ontario passed the Digital Platform Workers' Rights Act, which sets requirements such as pay information and minimum wage for active work periods for platform workers.
- British Columbia changed its employment standards to cover app-based ride-hail and delivery workers, including minimum pay for engaged time and workers' compensation coverage.
Rules continue to evolve, and other provinces may follow. Get advice before you recruit, and make sure your rider app and payout model can produce the records these rules expect, such as active time and pay per delivery.
6. Food, alcohol and regulated items
Restaurants remain responsible for food safety, but your packaging and delivery practices matter too. Insulated bags and delivery times count. Alcohol and cannabis delivery are regulated provincially and often need specific licences, so don't enable those categories until you've checked. The same goes for pharmacy items.
7. Payments
Canadian customers expect cards and digital wallets. Stripe works well for Canadian businesses and appears in many 6amTech payment lists. Interac and Canadian processors such as Moneris may need a custom integration. Cash on delivery is less common in Canada than in some markets but can suit specific communities. Check the payment options available in your script version, and read our payment gateway guide for how integration works.
8. Launch zone and unit economics
Distances in Canadian cities, and winter conditions, affect delivery times and rider costs. Start with a tight zone. In 6amMart that means drawing one zone with distance-based delivery fees and a minimum order. Before launch, model per-order economics: average order value, your commission, delivery fee, rider pay, payment fees, and promotions.
9. Brand and stores
Publish with your own brand, bilingual listings if you're serving Quebec, and a privacy policy that matches the data safety form. The driver app's background location needs Google Play's declaration. See the publishing guide.
How we help
We set up food and grocery delivery platforms for Canadian launches: zones, tax settings, English and French, payment gateways and store publishing. See our food delivery and grocery delivery solutions, read the launch plan for a DoorDash-style app, or call our Canadian line, +1 519-774-6724.
Questions
Do I need to register for GST/HST before launching?
Registration is mandatory once taxable revenue passes the small-supplier threshold, and you can register voluntarily before that. Ask an accountant how tax applies to commissions and delivery fees.
Does my delivery app need to be in French?
If you serve consumers in Quebec, French generally needs to be available across the app, website, terms and communications. 6amTech apps support multiple languages, but translations must be professional.
Are delivery riders employees or contractors in Canada?
It depends on the province and how you engage them. Ontario and BC now regulate app-based work, so get legal advice before you recruit.
Which payment gateway works for a Canadian delivery app?
Stripe is a common choice and is supported by many 6amTech versions. Canadian processors and Interac may require custom integration.