If you’ve ever wondered how to be more intentional with your spending and support homegrown talent, this article covers 5 ways to support Canadian-made.
Canada is more than just maple syrup, hockey, and poutine; it’s a country built on resilience, innovation, and community.
With global corporations dominating the marketplace, it’s easy to forget that incredible Canadian-made products are right at our fingertips.
Embracing Canadian-owned brands isn’t just about national pride; it’s about strengthening local businesses, keeping jobs in Canada, and ensuring our communities thrive.
Here are five easy and impactful ways to embrace Canadian-made products in daily life.
5 Simple Ways to Shop Local and Support Canadian Businesses
1. Know Your Brands: Iconic and Hidden Canadian Gems
Before you can switch to buying Canadian, you need to know which brands are truly Canadian and which just sound like they are.
Some brands that have been household staples for decades might surprise you with their origins!
Iconic Canadian-Made Brands
- Roots: Beyond cozy sweatpants, this brand represents classic Canadian style and quality craftsmanship.
- Canada Goose: Known for its ultra-warm winter jackets, this company manufactures its products in Canada.
- Indigo: The go-to bookstore for Canadians, offering a wide range of books, gifts, and home goods. Don’t miss out on Indigo Kids as well.
- Herschel Supply Co: A Vancouver-based company designing trendy backpacks, wallets, and travel accessories. My first backpack in Canada was from this company.
- Purdy’s Chocolates: A proudly Canadian chocolatier using sustainably sourced cocoa. The seasonal collections are fantastic!
- Cascades Paper: A leading Canadian brand for eco-friendly tissue, paper towels, and packaging.
Hidden Canadian Gems You Should Know About
- Ecologyst: A sustainable fashion brand making clothing right here in Canada.
- Green Beaver: A family-owned company producing all-natural personal care products.
- Tru Earth: Makers of eco-friendly laundry strips, reducing plastic waste.
- Beau’s Brewery: A family-run, organic brewery creating unique craft beers.
- Mary Brown’s Chicken: Canada’s answer to fast food fried chicken, founded in Newfoundland. It’s better than KFC, too!
2. Shift Your Grocery Shopping to Canadian-made Products
Food is a daily necessity, and where you shop can make a huge difference in keeping money within Canada.
From condiments to snacks, dairy to beverages, there are plenty of Canadian-owned grocery products to add to your cart.
Canadian Grocery Swaps
| U.S. BRAND | CANADIAN ALTERNATIVE |
| Heinz Ketchup | French’s Ketchup (Ontario-grown tomatoes) |
| Lay’s Chips | Covered Bridge Chips (NB) or Hardbite Chips (BC) |
| Kraft Peanut Butter | Nuts To You Nut Butter (ON) |
| General Mills Cereal | Nature’s Path Organic (BC) |
| Nestlé Chocolate | Purdys (BC) or Laura Secord (ON) |
| Tropicana Juice | Simply Orange (bottled in Canada) or Kiju Organic |
For more grocery swaps, check out Looking to Boycott U.S. Brands? Here’s What Canadians Should Buy Instead.
3. Shop Local for Clothing and Everyday Essentials
Fast fashion and global brands might be convenient, but Canadian-owned fashion and lifestyle companies offer just as much variety and are often better quality and sustainable.
Canadian Clothing and Apparel Brands
- Roots: Iconic sweats, leather goods, and outerwear.
- Encircled: Ethical, Canadian-made clothing perfect for capsule wardrobes.
- Tentree: Sustainable fashion that plants ten trees for every item purchased.
- Canada West Boots: Durable, high-quality boots made in Winnipeg.
Household and Personal Care Essentials
| U.S. BRAND | CANADIAN ALTERNATIVE |
| Tide Detergent | Tru Earth (eco-friendly, BC-based) |
| Dove Soap | Rocky Mountain Soap Company (AB) |
| Bounty Paper Towels | Cascades Paper (QC) |
| Colgate Toothpaste | Green Beaver (ON) |
4. Dine and Drink at Canadian-Owned Restaurants and Cafés
Next time you grab a coffee or order takeout, think about who owns the company you’re supporting.
Many chain restaurants are U.S.-owned, but Canada has plenty of homegrown options that deserve your dollars.
Ditch These U.S. Chains and Try These Instead
| U.S. CHAIN | CANADIAN ALTERNATIVE |
| McDonald’s | A&W Canada (Canadian-owned) |
| Starbucks | Tim Hortons (still a Canadian classic!) + local independent coffee shops |
| KFC | Mary Brown’s (Newfoundland-founded) |
| Pizza Hut | Boston Pizza (Canadian-owned) |
| Dunkin’ Donuts | Country Style or Robin’s Donuts |
When in doubt, support independent restaurants and local cafés. They’re the backbone of Canadian communities.
5. Make It a Habit: Track Your Canadian Spending
Shifting to Canadian-made products doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach.
Even small changes can have a significant economic impact when enough people participate.
Try the $100 per month challenge for slowly shifting to Canadian-owned brands.
Why “Made in Canada” Matters
Choosing Canadian-made products is about spending money, investing in our economy, creating jobs, and preserving Canadian identity.
Here’s why it matters:
- Every dollar spent locally circulates within Canada, supporting workers and communities.
- It fosters innovation by helping small businesses and startups succeed.
- It reduces dependence on global corporations, making our economy more resilient.
- It strengthens Canadian culture by celebrating homegrown brands.
With so many amazing Canadian products available, making the switch is easier than ever.
So, elbows up, Canada! It’s time to take pride in what’s made here at home!
Are you ready to embrace Canadian-made products in your daily life? Start small, make mindful choices, and let’s build a stronger, more self-sufficient Canada together!
What are your favorite Canadian brands? Drop them in the comments!
Abi loves traveling, reading, and writing. She is a big believer in following your dreams and has been marching to the beat of her unconventional drums for a long time. She funds her adventures by making smart financial decisions and investing wisely. Her top personal finance tools include trading with Questrade, investing change on MOKA, and no-fee banking with Tangerine and Neo Financial. Learn more about Abi HERE.