The Buy Canadian movement may have quieted down for a moment, but it’s getting louder again. Why has it been louder recently? How is it impacting the purchasing decisions Canadians are making?
What’s Causing the Buy-Canadian Focus?
The one-word answer? Tariffs
The longer answer? The ongoing tariff fight between Canada and the United States has seen so much back and forth that it’s causing uncertainty among Canadians. With the ever-shifting tariffs, many Canadians are keeping their dollars here. Why?
- Canadian businesses (especially those who typically sell to US customers) are being impacted by tariffs. Many of us want to support them so they can stay in business.
- Ordering from a US-based company right now could include unexpected costs related to tariffs. With how quickly the situation is changing, often we can’t even predict what these costs will be!
What Are Tariffs, and Who Pays Them?
A tariff is a tax a government puts on imported products. When the USA puts a tariff on Canadian products, the US-based company or consumer pays the tariff. When it’s a company paying the tariffs, that extra cost almost always gets passed down to the end user. To be 100% clear, they are not paid by the company exporting the products.
Tariffs create two types of costs. Direct and indirect. Direct costs show up right on the final price tags of goods you buy in Canada. This can include added import costs for items you order online from the US. Indirect costs are not always as visible. They can show up as job losses, slower shipping, and higher prices on items made with materials from the US, like furniture or appliances.
An unfortunate reality is that the price increases we are seeing related to tariffs could be here to stay, even if tariffs ended tomorrow. Curious about why? Check out this article all about greedflation.
What’s Actually Happening With the Tariffs?
The trade war between Canada and the United States is continuously evolving. It started in early 2025 after Trump started his second term. He declared a national emergency and cited alleged fentanyl and organized crime issues at the border as the justification. Declaring the emergency is what allowed him to impose the tariffs without the approval of Congress. It’s an unfortunate situation because Canada, the US, and Mexico have been trading partners across North America for decades.
Since then, there have been many shifts and changes in the tariff situation. During that time, the two countries were attempting to agree on a new trade deal. Talks broke down in August 2026, which led to the tariffs in place today. The US placed tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of Canadian goods. Canada hit back with its own counter-tariffs on American products. They range from 15 to 50 percent and cover a range of items, from dairy to electronics.
What Does “Canadian Made” Actually Mean?
The Government of Canada, through the Competition Bureau, establishes the rules for labels like “Product of Canada” and “Made in Canada,” and yes, those two labels mean different things!
- A Product of Canada label means at least 98 percent of the total cost to make the item happened here.
- Made in Canada only needs 51 percent. The package also has to say if it contains imported parts.
Carefully reading the labels matters more than trusting the brand, the logo, or even a comment from a former Prime Minister.
What happened with Heinz Ketchup is a good example of how tricky it can be to have a full understanding of what’s Canadian-Made. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a misleading comment in early 2025 about their ketchup not being made in Canada. Heinz Canada was quick to clear up the misunderstanding. They explained that some bottles of Kraft Heinz ketchup on Canadian shelves are labelled “Product of USA” because, at times, their Quebec plant can’t keep up with demand. They said that about 10% of their ketchup sold in Canada was US-labelled in 2024. If you still want to steer clear, French’s ketchup is another great, fully Canadian-made option!
Why Are So Many Canadians Choosing to Shop Canadian?
Canada has many businesses making great products in our own backyards. We have also invented more everyday things than most of us realize, from insulin to the electric wheelchair!
Buying local keeps money and jobs inside Canada. It can even be more environmentally friendly, since products often don’t have to travel as far to get to us. A recent survey shows most Canadians now prefer buying from Canadian retailers when given the choice. Over half say supporting the Canadian economy is their main reason. From Western Canada to the Maritimes, many Canadian businesses are feeling the support. Maybe it’s picking up Canadian clothing instead of a USA brand. Maybe it’s swapping your usual snack for a box of Jos Louis. Small choices can add up fast. Support local isn’t just a slogan on a sign anymore. It’s a real and meaningful shift in how we shop. Just keep an eye out that the focus on buying Canadian doesn’t turn into retail therapy.
How to Actually (Without Getting Lost Down a Rabbit Hole)
You don’t need to change your whole life, or budget, to shop Canadian. Start small.
- Check labels carefully. Look for “Product of Canada” or “Made in Canada” to help you identify Canadian food items.
- Look for a Canadian food section at your grocery store. Some may even run a free day for sampling new products!
- Watch for a Canada sale. Some retailers run Canada-specific sales, often pairing them with a day where shipping is free.
- Look for health foods and staples like peanut butter from Canadian brands. You might find the best ice cream you have ever had from a small Canadian dairy instead of an import.
- Retailers like Canadian Tire and Best Buy Canada both stock a growing number of Canadian-made items.
The Bottom Line
Tariffs are not going away anytime soon (unfortunately). Trying to predict what happens next between Canada and the US is a major guessing game, even for experts. What is in your control is where your dollars go. Every time you choose a Canadian-made product over an import, you cast a vote to support a Canadian business. Start with one purchase this week. Check one label. Swap one product and spread the word about the products you love by telling a friend!
Started relying on credit cards to get by because tariffs have eaten away at your paycheque and now having a hard time keeping up with payments? Our trained credit counsellors can help by going over your finances and discussing what debt relief options are available that fit your particular situation. It all starts by calling for a free consultation.
