Keep it Canadian: Support Local

We support local businesses by fostering connections, sharing resources, and showcasing success stories. Since launching the free Support Local program in 2019, we’ve encouraged Calgarians to shop locally and celebrate businesses that shape our communities and economy.

Now in its seventh year, the 2025 Support Local campaign, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Calgary Economic Development, shares Calgary’s resource list to support Canadian industries and local businesses, especially during these uncertain times.

Important information

Keep it Canadian. Keep it Calgary.

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce and Calgary Economic Development also have resources to help you support Canadian.

Calgary Chamber of Commerce Calgary Economic Development

Support Local

Discover and Support Calgary’s Local Businesses in 2024 with Erin Chrusch, Leader, Business & Local Economy

The Importance of Supporting Local Businesses with Jay Vaughan, President and Founder of Mountain Cultures

The Importance of Supporting Local Businesses with Brenda Ashton, CEO of Royale Round Cookies Company

5 reasons to support local yyc infographic

Campaign participants

  • Calgary's Business-Friendly Construction Policy

    The City is developing a more consistent approach to mitigating potential challenges from construction and improving how businesses and customers experience City-led construction.

#SupportLocalYYC marketing toolkit

Calgarians love supporting local businesses. These tools will hel​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​p them find you.

Support Local posters

Support Local stickers

Support Local stickers

Download sticker sheets to print

Digital banner

Digital banner

Download digital banners for social media

Download #SupportLocalYYC images to use on social media posts:​

Support Local QR code

Support Local QR code

Download QR code for the Support Local webpage

Here’s what we’ve been up to

What are we doing?

  • Improving the journey from idea to opening a business in Calgary.
  • Making it easier for the Film industry to do business in Calgary.
  • Developing tools and online resources to assist businesses through their life-cycle.
  • Continually hosting webinars  on topics of interest to small businesses
  • Maintaining regular communication with the community and collaborative partners to gather insights and feedback.
  • Enabling researchers, developers, and companies to develop and test new applications and technologies in Calgary’s 5G Discovery Zone
Man in a bookshop holding books

Here’s what we’ve been up to

What's been done?

Man in a bookshop holding books
  • Created a #SupportLocalYYCcampaign to encourage Calgarians to support local businesses. As part of this, we also provided marketing resources for businesses so they too could promote buying locally.
  • Provided Canada's first virtual one window approach to permitting online. We offer live chat, saving business applicants time and money.
  • Approved pop-up and interim businesses in all commercial areas (another Canada first). This eliminates lengthy approval process and licensing restrictions. 
  • Created a Business and Local Economy team to support businesses by finding opportunities to simplify City processes, cutting down the time and cost to start a business, and promoting innovation.
  • Created the Business Experience Improvement Programto support people through the process to establish a small business. 
  • Created a ‘Living Lab’ program to open City of Calgary assets to companies and researchers, to test and try their ideas and products.
  • Created a Business Advisory Committee made up of members of the local business community.
  • Established a Film Friendly team to enhance services and support for the film industry, making Calgary a premier destination for film, TV, and digital media production.
  • Removed the requirement for a Development Permit in certain situations to make it easier for business owners to adapt their spaces to a new use.

Business Perspectives Panel

We do regular research with businesses to better understand the outlook and viewpoint of the business community. If you are a business owner, leader or manager, join our online business research panel, Business Perspectives.

Join the Business Perspectives Panel

Contact us

  • Call 311 or 403-268-CITY (2489) from outside Calgary​.
  • Business licensing and permits
    Live chat at calgary.ca/livechat
    Call 403-268-5311
  • Property assessment
    Call 403-268-2888
  • Business inquiry form
    Not seeing what you're looking for? Contact us.
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