Buy Canadian - Beyond the Slogan
BY BEZ CHAO

The Buy Canadian movement is more than just a slogan. It’s Canadians recognizing the importance of supporting Canadian businesses to grow and strengthen our economy, so we can become more resilient and self-sufficient.

Much of this sentiment arose after the United States (US) applied tariffs on Canadian goods last year, despite the ongoing Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) which is a comprehensive free trade deal in effect since July 1, 2020, that replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) established in 1994. This has forced Canadians to reflect on our reliance on consuming American products and vice versa.

The movement hasn’t just stayed on the internet either. Per The Bank of Canada’s article “Assessing the Buy Canadian movement one year later,” data indicates that the shifts in consumer habits and decisions have made an impact on Canadian and US industries, most notably in travel to the US. Canadians took roughly 10 million fewer trips to the US in 2025 than in 2024 which is around a 25% drop. Another industry that has seen a notable shift in consumer habits and sentiment is the alcohol industry. Canadian’s have been consuming less American alcohol, with some liquor stores removing them from their shelves completely, resulting in sales of American alcohol in Canada to drop by 85% in the second quarter of 2025.

Buying Canadian means supporting Canadian businesses and industries, keeping our hard earned money within Canada as much as we can. However, there are some systemic and structural hurdles standing in the way of purchasing completely made in Canada products. Due to highly integrated supply chains, it is a common occurrence for Canada to export raw materials to the US for processing, and then importing those finished products back. This highlights the need for Canada to invest in our own industries and economy, so that we can reach a scale where we have the processing capabilities to keep as many raw materials as we can within Canada during production. This would, however, require a massive shift in industrial policy, infrastructure, and investment.

The Government of Canada has already taken steps in this direction via the Buy Canadian Policy, which launched on December 16, 2025. The policy aims to protect and prioritize Canadian workers and industries. Creating a strong Canadian supply chain, by favouring Canadian suppliers and Canadian-made goods and services whenever possible. This will hopefully make Canadian industries more self-sufficient and resilient to changes in the global economy.

There are other valid concerns and hurdles Canadians may face when shifting consumer habits towards purchasing Canadian products. Some of these concerns may include, but is not limited to:

• Higher costs and financial constraints: Some Canadian products are more expensive due to the costs associated with manufacturing within Canada, with Canadian materials and labour.

• Identification and labelling challenges: Differentiating between “Product of Canada” and “Made in Canada” can be challenging at first. “Product of Canada" signifies that almost all ingredients, processing, and labour are Canadian (98-100%). “Made in Canada” means the ingredients may be imported, and the last substantial transformation happened in Canada. “Local” indicates the product was produced in the same province or within 50 km of the provincial border.

• Time investment: Even if a Canadian alternative exists, it may require spending some time researching and looking for the product, which may not always be possible for busy Canadians on the go who are already facing financial constraints.

• Limited availability: Not every product has a Canadian alternative, nor can it be made or produced in Canada all throughout the year. For example, during the winter seasons, Canadians may not be able to source local homegrown produce that is available at other times of the year.

It’s worth noting that not everyone is in a position to change their consumer decisions overnight so Canadians shouldn’t feel pressured to do more than they feel comfortable to.

If you want to start supporting more Canadian products and industries but are feeling overwhelmed by the task, try starting small in a low stakes way. Next time you’re out grocery shopping, just take a look at the label on the products that you’re already purchasing along with their alternatives. No commitment necessary. Just starting and building this habit will help give you a sense of what Canadian alternatives are out there, if any. So if you feel ready to change your purchasing habits, you’ll already be aware of your options. Through this exercise, you’ll also develop a broader awareness of how reliant Canada has been on international trade partners.

You can also keep your eyes peeled when exploring the city you live in for local businesses that sell the products you’re looking for.

Richmond, for one, has a rich diversity of Canadian products you can buy, whether it be alcohol, fresh produce, fashion, art, and more.

The City of Richmond has a local food map on their website with locations to help you find your farm fresh produce and seafood. These offerings range from berries, vegetables, poultry, fish, and more.

Some made in Canada fashion and clothing brands include Province of Canada, House of Blanks, Free Label, and more. All three of these are made in Canada clothing brands manufacturing with Canadian fabrics.

For art, there are plenty of local art markets where small artists vend, showcasing and selling their work. Some of these markets are seasonal and are only around for a few days, so it’s best to look online for accurate times and locations.

Supporting Canadian companies by purchasing just one Canadian product might feel inconsequential, but together with the rest of Canadians, it adds up. It might feel like we’re not making a difference but together, Canadians are strong.