Business awards, judged on evidence.
Merited recognizes independent Canadian businesses their customers keep recommending. AI does all the judging, so who a judge knows or likes can't decide who wins. Entry is free and no one can pay to win.
- Entry is free
- 13 categories, every province
- Nominations close January 31, 2027
Four checks decide every winner
AI judges give every business the same four checks. The number is how much each one counts toward a score out of 100.
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40%
What customers say
Two years of public reviews: the average, how steady they are, and how the owner replies when something goes wrong.
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25%
The evidence
The business answers five questions and shows what backs them up. Every claim that can be checked is checked.
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25%
A customer's first look
What a new customer finds when they look the business up: what it offers, what it costs, and how to book or get in touch.
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10%
The judges' read
Three AI judges read the whole file from different seats. Their average is this score.
The 2027 categories
(13)- Home servicesPlumbers, electricians, cleaners, movers
- Trades and constructionRenovators, roofers, builders, landscapers
- Restaurants and cafésDining rooms, bistros, coffee shops, takeout
- Food and drink makersBakeries, roasters, breweries, producers
- Independent retailShops on the street and online
- Health and wellnessClinics, physiotherapy, dental, massage
- TechnologySoftware, IT support, device repair, web studios
What winners receive
Everything below comes free with the award.
- The markFiles for your website, your social profiles and your printed menus or quotes.
- A window stickerThe rosette for your door or window, ready to print.
- A winner's pageA page on this site that says what you won and what the judges found.
- Your scoresYour score on each of the four checks, and what the judges found.
The first Merited awards
2027 is our first year. These are the dates.
- Oct 6 2026Nominations open
- Jan 31 2027Nominations close at midnight Pacific
- Feb 28 2027Last day for nominated businesses to answer the five questions
- Apr 22 2027Winners announced on this site
Questions business owners ask
Does it cost anything to enter or to win?
No. Nominating is free, being judged is free and winning is free. No business can pay to be judged or to win.
Can I nominate my own business?
Yes. A nomination only puts a business in front of the judges. Ten nominations count the same as one, so there is nothing to gain from asking friends to nominate you.
Who can win a Merited award?
Independently owned businesses that have been trading in Canada for at least two years. Franchises can be nominated when the location is owned and run locally.
When are the 2027 winners announced?
Nominations close January 31, 2027. A nominated business hears from us soon after it's nominated and has until February 28, 2027 to answer the five questions. Winners are announced April 22, 2027.
Can a winner lose the award?
Yes. If we find fake reviews, or a claim in the evidence turns out to be untrue, the award is withdrawn and the winner's page says so. The full rules are on how judging works.
Know a business that deserves it?
Nominating takes about three minutes. Customers, staff and owners can all nominate, and it costs nothing.