Policies & shipping

If you’ve entered the incorrect shipping address at checkout, you will still have the chance to update it using the 'Update Address' button located in the order confirmation window, as well as, at the bottom of the order confirmation email. However, please understand that if your order has already shipped, you will be unable to update the shipping address. 

If your order has shipped with the wrong shipping address, you will need to contact the shipping provider directly (either UPS of Canada Post). While it's not guaranteed, they may be able reroute the shipment to the correct address for you (additional fees may apply). 

The Canadian Shield will not reship any orders if the wrong address has been inputted by the customer at checkout. We get it, mistakes happen. So we kindly ask you as the customer to carefully review your shipping address at checkout and if you need to make a change, please use the method described above. 

All orders will be fulfilled by our manufacturing facility within 1-3 days. Once shipped, shipping generally takes anywhere from 3 - 9 business days from the time an order is placed.

Once an order is placed through our website, you'll receive a shipment notification when the order is sent out as well as a tracking number to follow the package with UPS.

All orders fulfilled by our team will receive a tracking number with UPS. Once your order has left our facility, your best option is to follow up with UPS directly for any further updates on your package. Our team is not currently able to expedite package delays due to COVID-19.

Right now, The Canadian Shield only ships within Canada. Stay tuned for any future updates surrounding shipping outside of Canada!

If you've received the wrong order, our customer support team will make it right. Please connect with a member of our team by filling out our customer support form here.

Due to the nature of the product, all purchases of The Canadian Shield are final sale. For defects, warranties and replacements, please contact us.

Please refer to the UPS website here. The UPS delivery agent will make a best effort to leave your package in the requested location. If there is no other location, the UPS agent will leave a delivery notice card and will bring your package to a nearby post office for you to pick up (or in some cases, ship back to us). 

To speak with a UPS agent, click here.

If UPS is unable to locate your package, we will file a service ticket with you found here.

As of December 13th, The Canadian Shield no longer offers Local Curbside Pickup. The decision was made in order to meet the overwhelming demand for rapid antigen tests across Canada. Suspending local pickups will allow our team to streamline our fulfillment process and focus 100% of our resources on shipping rapid tests as quickly as possible. 

If you have a current local pickup order that has already been placed, you will be unaffected by this change. As ofDecember 13th we will no longer be accepting *new* local pickup orders, but customers who have current orders that are ready to be picked up will still be able to do so. 

You can read the full statement and details about this here.

Yes! Just make sure you forward them the pickup notification email. When they arrive, they'll need to provide the order number and last name associated with the order.

Yes, there is tax charged on rapid tests! While there is a zero-rated tax exemption on PPE products (such as face shields and face masks), there is currently no zero-rated tax exemption for rapid testing devices in Canada.

About The Canadian Shield

The Canadian Shield is a Health Canada License Manufacturer (Class 1 Medical Device - MDEL 11655 - Company ID 151799) of personal protective equipment (PPE) products in Ontario, Canada. Launched in response to a global PPE shortage, The Canadian Shield is committed to protecting people with Canadian-made solutions that are innovative, reliable and affordable.

If you’re a member of the media, please contact media@inksmith.ca 

If you’re looking to join our team, please visit our opportunities page 

If you’re looking to purchase in bulk, please fill out our bulk order form.

If you have an issue with your order/product, please contact our customer support team here.

For all job postings, keep an eye on our Careers page and follow along on social media

We are happy to offer multiple payment options, including Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Mastercard, PayPal, Shopify Pay and Visa.

Products

Rapid Tests

Yes! The Canadian Shield holds a Medical Device Establishment License from Health Canada.

The Rapid Response COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Device, manufactured by BTNX Inc., is a Health Canada authorized COVID-19 testing device for Point of Care testing. The Rapid Response COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Device is intended for use by trained laboratory personnel or health care professionals.


For a full list of authorized testing devices, please visit the Health Canada website.

Rapid Tests are used as a serial screening tool whereby individuals test themselves 2 or 3 times a week to detect if they are an asymptomatic carrier of covid-19. These tests are most effective when you are infectious and are one more layer of peace of mind and safety. 

Rapid antigen testing devices should only be used for screening purposes. Nucleic acid-based testing, also called molecular testing or PCR, is the gold standard to diagnose active COVID-19 infection in patients with symptoms. For more information about self-testing and antigen testing devices, please visit the Health Canada website here

Yes. Like all medical devices, the Rapid Response COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing device has an expiration date listed on the outside of the kit box as well as the Cassette testing device package. This expiration date is approximately 1 year from the manufacturing date. 

This timeline is given for informational purposes only. Always refer to expiration date on the packaging.

The BTNX Rapid Response Rapid Test cannot be used for travel. The regulations around COVID testing for travel is highly dependent on the country you are traveling to. While rapid antigen tests may be accepted in some countries, these tests need to be performed and signed-off by a trained individual, doctor, or pharmacist. We highly recommend you inquire with your country of destination or airline to find out what type of test you need to travel. 

The BTNX nasal swabs are sterilized using ethylene oxide. This process is completely safe for the user and has been used for decades on medical equipment. The sterilization process follows ISO 11135 (Sterilization of health-care products) and ISO 10993 (Biological evaluation of medical devices). Additionally, all nasal swabs have passed testing for both toxicology and biocompatibility. 

Rapid tests should be stored in a cool, dry place. Please refer to the side of the rapid test kit packaging for the exact temperature requirements.

As the weather gets colder in Canada, we understand some customers may be concerned about the sub-zero temperatures during the shipment of Rapid Test Kits.

Transport temperatures dipping below 0°C for short durations of time will not have an adverse effect on the test, or the buffer liquid.

Recommendation:It’s important to bring the tests to room temperature before adding the sample into the test, as low ambient temperatures when conducting the test may cause false results. We recommend letting the test kit contents sit out for 4-6 hours before use.

BTNX’s Rapid Response COVID-19 Antigen Test Device is designed to detect the SARS-CoV-2 viral nucleocapsid proteins. Mutations of the nucleocapsid proteins for the Omicron variant include P13L, Δ31-33, R203K, and G204R. BTNX has urgently analyzed the sequences from the Omicron variant to understand the implication of these mutations.

Based on the preliminary analysis, we anticipate that the Omicron variant will be detectable by the Rapid Response COVID-19 Antigen Test Device. BTNX will conduct in-vitro studies to confirm the effect on test performance. The results will be made available as soon as the investigations are concluded. BTNX continues to follow the latest findings on COVID-19 and remain committed to maintaining the highest level of excellency in our products.

View full statement here.

If the appropriate test procedure and result interpretation has been followed and the result of your rapid antigen test is positive – contact your healthcare providers. You will need to have a second swab taken within 48 hours with a regular laboratory-based PCR test or a rapid molecular test. This may occur at a designated testing site. The result from this test would confirm if you truly tested positive for COVID-19. Continue to self-isolate while waiting for the laboratory PCR test result.

You may collect your sample using either method, however collecting an anterior nasal swab only requires you to insert the swab 0.5 inches (1-2cm) into the nostril making it a simpler method of collection and leading to less discomfort that the nasopharyngeal collection. Both the nasopharyngeal and anterior nasal swab collection methods are capable of being used for rapid antigen testing to detect the SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein.

Compared to the regular laboratory-based PCR test, COVID-19 rapid antigen tests must be considered preliminary. The results from the antigen test must be confirmed with a regular laboratory-based PCR test. Interpretation of results in different populations varies based on specimen type collected and pre-test probability of COVID-19 in the patient being tested.

Disposable Masks

ASTM International is the organization that develops and sets the preferred international standard in healthcare for the requirements of the performance of materials. There are more than 12,000 ASTM standards for a variety of products and industries.

A face mask that has been developed to meet ASTM F2100 standards offers the highest levels of protection in four areas: fluid resistance, differential pressure, filter efficiency and flammability. For more information on ASTM ratings, click here.

The Canadian Shield's products, including our Disposable Procedural Masks, BioMask™, and Semi-Reusable Face Masks, do not contain graphene.

The difference between each of these masks is their performance criteria against ASTM F2100 International Standard requirements. 

There are three distinct levels of medical masks in the ASTM F2100 rating system, including ASTM Level 1, ASTM Level 2 and ASTM Level 3 masks. Level 1 masks are the general standard and are best suited for low-risk, low-fluid environments. Level 2 masks are best suited for moderate levels of fluid exposure. Level 3 masks offer maximum barrier protection and are best suited for environments with high levels of fluid exposure. For more information on ASTM F2100 ratings, click here.

Although the body of our Unrated 3-Ply Disposable masks is made of the same 100% non-woven polypropylene material, they are not tested to the same ASTM F2100 performance standards as our Level 1, 2 and 3 procedural masks.

However, each of our masks, including Unrated masks, undergo all of our quality control and quality assurance measures. Our Unrated 3-Ply Disposable masks feature the same great design as Level 1, 2 and 3 masks including an interior meltblown polypropylene layer for maximum filtration. Unrated masks are a cost effective option for low-risk environments where fluid exposure is not anticipated.

Masks are 100% polypropylene. Latex and fiberglass free. Earloops are 70% Polyester, 30% Spandex. Our BioMask™ is made up of the same materials, and also includes a proprietary additive which is added during the manufacturing process.

There are no preservatives or chemicals added to our polypropylene masks. All of our raw materials are subject to stringent toxicological and carcinogenic testing to ensure the masks are safe to wear. Based on this testing, our masks are devoid of irritants and are safe for human skin. Our non-woven polypropylene contains trace amounts of blue polypropylene base pellet, which gives the outer layer its blue shade.

Based on toxicological and carcinogenic testing, our materials are confirmed to be irritant free and safe for wear.

Each of our procedural masks features a nose bridge made of steel sealed in plastic in order to create a tight seal and minimize gaps.

According to the CDC, masks become less effective when wet as they are more difficult to breathe through and less efficient at filtering. It is important to have one or more replacement masks during cold, wet weather, including rain and snow. If you are wearing a reusable mask and it becomes wet, put it in a sealed plastic bag until it can be washed. If you are wearing a disposable mask and it becomes wet, safely remove and dispose of the mask and replace with a new, dry mask.

The Canadian Shield’s procedural masks are disposable and are intended for one-time use. Your face mask should be changed when it gets wet, visibility dirty, soiled or torn. Not only is it not possible to sterilize disposable masks, but the material of The Canadian Shield’s procedural masks are also electrostatically charged to filter micro-particles, and this charge is lost over time with wear. We recommend the use of a new disposable mask each day. For guidelines on how to safely remove and dispose of your procedural mask, click here.

At The Canadian Shield, each of our procedural masks are manufactured with one standard size of earloops. Although we have standardized our face masks for universal wear, we understand that one size of earloops doesn't always yield a snug, comfortable fit on all individuals. 

To ensure that your procedural mask fits securely to your face, we have compiled some tips to help you avoid gapping while wearing your mask. To view our guide to adjusting earloops, click here.

The BioMask™ is a medical-grade face mask which contains a proprietary additive that helps it break down in anaerobic conditions such as landfills.

Face Shields

For assembly instructions, please download our instruction guide. Alternatively, you can watch our instructional video here.

Use this text to answaThe Canadian Shield was originally designed for healthcare use.  In this use case, our shield was found to perform best up to 15 times.

However, for the average individual, with proper cleaning and care your shields can last far beyond 15 uses. Many of our staff members use the same shield for weeks on end.

The most common problems found with all shields after extended use are scratches. However, our shield is made of 0.017” thick plastic — double the thickness of most shields on the market, which means it has the capacity to last much longer.er questions in as much detail as possible for your customers.

We always recommend wearing a mask with your face shield as it will provide the most protection. That being said, for those who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons, a face shield is better than no PPE at all. 

We chose to design our shields without foam at the top to ensure that the entirety of the shield would be disinfectable. Once a foam headband is used, it cannot be disinfected and is therefore not recommended for reuse.

If your shield was damaged in transit, our team will be happy to send you a replacement. Please contact our customer support team with a replacement request by clicking here.

Many dentists and dental hygienists have used our face shields with dental loupes and headlights. If you’re looking for more information about the use of our shields in the dental industry, you can find more information by clicking here.

Yes, our adults and kids face shields are all 100% latex-free.

We recommend the Kids Face Shield for children aged 5-12 years old. Check our size chart for reference.

Cloth Masks

Due to the amazing response we've received for our hand-sewn cloth masks, we are temporarily out of stock of this product.

We appreciate your patience as our team works to re-stock! At this point in time, we do not have an expected date for re-stock. We encourage you to stay tuned on social media and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for details on when this product has returned to our store.

Check our Cloth Mask size chart for your reference.

Each of our cloth masks include Synergex One filtration. Proper filtration is measured using BFE (Bacterial Filtration Efficiency) and PFE (Particle Filtration Efficiency).

Synergex One is made from a non-woven polypropylene composite, made with unique meltblown technology. It has a BFE of >85% and a PFE of >90% at 3 microns. It's undergoing continuous testing to be rated at >95% BFE. Synergex One filtration was designed in North America and is splash resistant.

Yes. Synergex One is a non-woven polypropylene composite made with meltblown technology.

Our cloth masks do not have a pocket for a separate filter. This is because we've chosen to design our masks with Synergex One filtration, a high-end interior layer that offers superior protection against airborne pathogens. For this reason, our cloth masks feature a closed seam around the filter layer and do not include a pouch to insert additional filters.

Thread count is a term that’s often exclusive to bed linens, while most fabric materials are measured by their GSM, or Grams per Square Meter. 

GSM is the weight of a fabric if you take a sheet of material which is one meter by one square meter and weigh it in grams (g/m2). Strictly speaking, there is no comparison to be made between GSM and thread count. 

The GSM of our Reusable Cloth Masks is 170 +/-5% and our cloth fabric is 100% cotton.  A medium weight GSM is 150-350 GSM and heavy weight is considered to be 350+ GSM, such as PVC. 

We recommend that you wash your mask before your first use, and after each wear.

Your cloth mask should be machine-washed with COLD WATER ONLY as 100% cotton masks may shrink when washed with warm or hot water. Temperature does not matter when disinfecting your mask in the wash as long as your mask is washed with soap.

Tumble dry on low or hang mask to dry after washing. Ensure the mask is completely dry before storing and store in a clean bag or container between uses.

If you have received the wrong size cloth mask in your recent order, please reach out to our customer support team for a replacement by clicking here.

Semi-Reusable Masks

Traditional ASTM-rated masks are disposable face masks made of 100% polypropylene which have been tested to comply with ASTM F2100 requirements for medical-grade masks. ASTM-rated masks are available in three levels, Level 1, 2, & 3, and are designed to be used in medical environments. 

The Canadian Shield’s Semi-Reusable Face Masks are made with a heavier-weight GSM (Grams Per Square Metre) of 100% polypropylene non-woven material, allowing it to be reused with proper washing and care. While it is still considered an unrated mask, our Semi-Reusable Face Masks are designed and tested to withstand up to 10 washes in a regular wash cycle. 

Please note, while both ASTM-rated masks and unrated Semi-Reusable masks are made with similar material, Semi-Reusable Face Masks have NOT been tested to meet the same ASTM F2100 standards. Furthermore, different variables such as laundry detergent, water temperature, and other factors can affect the filtration efficiency and durability of the mask. The Canadian Shield always recommends following the included washing and care instructions which accompany all Semi-Reusable Masks. For individuals in environments where there is a moderate to high risk of fluid, spray, or aerosols produced, disposable ASTM-rated medical-grade masks are the best line of defense combined with social distancing and other PPE.

While The Canadian Shield uses very similar 100% polypropylene non-woven materials for our Semi-Reusable, these Semi-Reusable masks have NOT been tested to meet ASTM F2100-20 requirements for medical-grade masks. It is therefore only considered an unrated mask and should not be used in environments where fluid exposure is of high risk.

Furthermore, different variables such as laundry detergent, water temperature, and other factors can affect the filtration efficiency and durability of the mask. The Canadian Shield always recommends following the included washing and care instructions which accompany all Semi-Reusable Masks. For individuals in environments where there is a moderate to high risk of fluid, spray, or aerosols produced, disposable ASTM-rated medical-grade masks are the best line of defense combined with social distancing and other PPE.

The Canadian Shield’s Semi-Reusable Face Mask is made up of three layers of heavy-weight 100% non-woven polypropylene. The outer two layers are 50GSM non-woven polypropylene, and the inner filtration layer is 25GSM non-woven polypropylene. 

The head strap on the Semi-Reusable Face Mask is a durable and stretchable elastic cord made of a polyester exterior and rubber inner core. 

The nose bridge on the Semi-Reusable Face Mask is made of a thin wire of steel coated in plastic.

The Canadian Shield recommends our Semi-Reusable Face Mask is washed and reused up to 10 times using a normal wash cycle.

• Hand or machine-wash - gentle settings are recommended for machine washing
• Hang or lay flat to dry, do not tumble dry
• Do not iron
• Ensure the mask is completely dry before storing and store in a clean bag or container between uses.

The Canadian Shield recommends our Semi-Reusable Face Mask for individuals aged 8 years and older. While the head strap design of the mask does make it fully-adjustable, the mask body is designed for an adult face and may be too large on a child under 8 years of age. Please refer to the mask body dimensions below for exact measurements.