O Canada, let's keep this going!

Hello 👋

The past few months have been unsettling (to say the least!) in Canadian and world affairs. The upshot is that patriotism and the buy-local sentiment (not to mention anxiety) have reached extraordinary highs in Canada. Today, I’m sharing some resources and thoughts on this “Buy Canadian” boom.

All the best,

#10 | 27 April 2025

O Canada, let's keep this going!

Until recently, many of us had not paid much attention to the origin of the products we use or the impact of our reliance on other countries. We were blissfully unaware. Well, that bubble popped, and now we’re becoming hyper-aware of where our products originate. We're also learning that the lines are often blurred.

The “Buy Canadian” movement is rooted in avoiding American companies and products. A common strategy is to buy a Canadian option if available (and affordable), but if not, then a product from anywhere but the U.S.A. is the next best option. This is a big shift. In the past, we were more likely to avoid something coming from further away, or where labour conditions are questionable.

I think the Canadian economy will benefit more when we focus on buying Canadian and supporting Canadian businesses, not just avoiding American products. So how do we do that? Resources are springing up everywhere to help consumers make informed decisions.

Labels and marketing

Product labels are not new, but they’re now in the spotlight. Labels carry a number of phrases such as: Product of Canada, Made in Canada, Grown in Canada, Packaged in Canada, and so on, or they may have an eye-catching red maple leaf on them. But what do these things really mean? And can you trust every advertisement or new "Made in Canada" shelf tag in the stores you visit? Only some phrases are regulated for product claims:

• “Made in Canada” products are between 51% and 98% Canadian

• A “Product of Canada” must be at least 98% Canadian

• If a product is 100% Canadian, its label can say that

It’s no surprise that companies are taking advantage of the trend to buy Canadian. Beware of “maple washing” (or “Canada washing”) which refers to the overstating of a product's or business’s ties to Canada. Whether intentional or accidental, these tactics are very effective in misleading consumers—and unethical.

Online groups

Online groups are great places to discuss, share, and learn about Canadian or local products and businesses. Members also share examples of maple-washing they’ve spotted.

There are many groups out there; I’m only listing a few:

The Made in Canada - Canadian Products group on Facebook has 1.4 million members (April 2025) and is adding around 4000 members a day. 

I’ve found this group useful for finding Canadian products that can be challenging to find otherwise. For example, a search for “web hosting” in this group is more informative than a Google search when looking for Canadian web hosting.

I also randomly learn about Canadian products that people love and recommend. For example, I now want a Garant leaf rake from Quebec (sold at many national retailers), and I had no idea they existed before. My next rake will not come from China.

Buy Canadian: Keep it local! is a public group on Reddit with 365K members to date.

I Support Local Business Regina is a very active Facebook group where I live. Find a group like this for your community or start one.

Apps

Many apps are suddenly available to learn more about the origins of products.

I searched for “buy Canadian” in the Apple App Store and found over 30 apps for this purpose. Most allow you to scan a product’s bar code with your phone camera to get info. Some will offer a list of Canadian alternatives which is handy. I think most of them are using AI to find and deliver content.

By all means, check out what’s available in your app store. After trying a few, I lean toward these apps for their usability, reliability (products found in database), and output:

• O SCANada (scan bar code or type brand/product name) - Apple | Android

• Maple Scan (take a photo of the whole package) - Apple | Android

The “Buy Canadian” movement has been life-changing for many small business owners in Canada. I’ve seen business owners on Instagram say they were struggling and are now flooded with orders. I’m thrilled for them.

This shift in demand is largely thanks to people promoting Canadian products they love in public forums, such as the groups I mentioned above. So, if you love a product or service from a small business, let others know about it! Your support will mean the world to them.

Let’s keep the momentum going by supporting our own economy and local businesses. Investing in people, products, and companies within Canada is good for all of us!

Reply to this email anytime and let me know if you’ve changed your approach to shopping due to current events. If reading this on theowlsedge.ca, subscribers can log in and leave me a comment. I’d love to hear from you.

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