The political landscape between Canada and the United States has been tumultuous at times, but recent developments have sparked a new wave of economic activism.
With the U.S. President again stirring controversy by suggesting the potential annexation of Canada, many Canadians are looking for ways to push back economically.
One of the most effective methods is boycotting American-owned businesses and prioritizing Canadian alternatives.
Adopting the rallying cry “Elbows Up,” Canadians are doubling down and ready to make a point with their wallets!
If you want to ensure your money stays within Canada and supports domestic industries, it’s essential to understand who really owns your grocery store and other essential businesses.
The Elbows Up Canada series will help you identify American-owned companies, explore Canadian alternatives, and consider how your choices can impact the world.
What Grocery Stores are Canadian-owned?
Many grocery stores in Canada carry familiar names, but not all are Canadian-owned.
A handful of major players dominate the grocery market, and ownership often extends beyond national borders.
Here’s a breakdown of who owns some of the most common grocery stores in Canada:-
| GROCERY STORE CHAIN | PARENT COMPANY | PARENT COMPANY HQ |
| Alimentation Couche-Tard (e.g., Circle K) | Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. | Canada |
| Co-op Food | Federated Co-operatives | Canada |
| Costco Wholesale Canada | Costco Wholesale Corp. | United States |
| Farm Boy | Empire Company Limited | Canada |
| Food Basics | Metro Inc. | Canada |
| Foodland | Empire Company Limited | Canada |
| Fortinos | Loblaw Companies Limited | Canada |
| FreshCo | Empire Company Limited | Canada |
| Giant Tiger | Giant Tiger Stores Ltd. | Canada |
| IGA | Empire Company Limited | Canada |
| Loblaws | Loblaw Companies Limited | Canada |
| Longo’s | Empire Company Limited | Canada |
| Maxi | Loblaw Companies Limited | Canada |
| Metro | Metro Inc. | Canada |
| No Frills | Loblaw Companies Limited | Canada |
| Provigo | Loblaw Companies Limited | Canada |
| Real Canadian Superstore | Loblaw Companies Limited | Canada |
| Safeway | Empire Company Limited | Canada |
| Save-On-Foods | Jim Pattison Group | Canada |
| Shoppers Drug Mart | Loblaw Companies Limited | Canada |
| Sobeys | Empire Company Limited | Canada |
| Super C | Metro Inc. | Canada |
| T & T Supermarket | Loblaw Companies Limited | Canada |
| Thrifty Foods | Empire Company Limited | Canada |
| Valu-mart | Loblaw Companies Limited | Canada |
| Walmart Canada | Walmart Inc. | United States |
| Whole Foods Market | Amazon.com, Inc. | United States |
| Your Independent Grocer | Loblaw Companies Limited | Canada |
| Zehrs Markets | Loblaw Companies Limited | Canada |
Shopping at Canadian-owned chains means helping keep profits within the country, strengthening local businesses, and ensuring jobs remain in Canada.
Best Canadian Alternatives to U.S. Brands
Beyond grocery stores, many industries are dominated by American corporations. If you’re serious about reducing your financial contributions to U.S.-owned businesses, here are some other steps you can take:-
Buy This, Not That – Identify American-Owned Brands and Products
American companies own many major brands found in Canadian grocery stores. Some well-known American brands to avoid include:-
| BRAND | PRODUCTS |
| PepsiCo | Pepsi, Lay’s, Gatorade, Quaker, Tropicana, Frito-Lay, Doritos, Cheetos |
| Coca-Cola | Coca-Cola, Dasani, Powerade, Minute Maid, Smartwater, Fanta, Sprite |
| General Mills | Cheerios, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Häagen-Dazs |
| Kraft Heinz | Kraft Dinner, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Heinz Ketchup |
| Mondelez International | Oreo, Ritz, Chips Ahoy, Cadbury, Triscuit |
| Nestlé USA | Nescafé, Coffee-mate, KitKat, Perrier. Note: Nestlé has a separate Canadian division, but many products are still imported from the U.S. |
Canadian Alternatives
Instead of buying American brands, look for options. Here are some excellent Canadian-owned substitutes for common American brands:-
| PRODUCT | BRANDS |
| Soft Drinks | Canada Dry (owned by Keurig Dr Pepper Canada), Clearly Canadian, or PC brand sodas |
| Snacks | Choose Covered Bridge Chips (New Brunswick), Hardbite Chips (British Columbia), or Neal Brothers Foods (Ontario) |
| Dairy | Buy from Canadian dairy farmers by looking for the “Dairy Farmers of Canada” logo |
| Condiments | French’s Ketchup (uses Canadian tomatoes) is a better alternative to Heinz |
Support Local Canadian Businesses
Local butchers, bakeries, and farmers’ markets are excellent alternatives to big-box grocery chains.
When you purchase directly from Canadian producers, you bypass the multinational corporations and invest in local jobs and economic growth.
How About American Restaurant Chains?
If you eat out, consider supporting Canadian-owned establishments rather than American fast-food franchises.
Many well-known chains such as McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Subway are American-owned.
Instead, try Canadian chains like Harvey’s, Swiss Chalet, and Tim Hortons (though owned by Brazil-based Restaurant Brands International, it’s still a Canadian-founded brand).
Why Your Spending Habits Matter
Boycotting American goods isn’t just about taking a stand against Trump’s rhetoric but reinforcing Canadian economic independence.
Every dollar spent at a Canadian business supports jobs, tax revenue, and reinvestment in local communities.
This isn’t the first time Canadians have boycotted American goods. When Heinz shut down its Canadian ketchup plant in Leamington, Ontario, in 2021, Canadian consumers turned to French’s Ketchup, which uses Canadian tomatoes.
Boycotting American goods requires diligence, research, and a commitment to supporting Canadian-owned businesses.
While cutting out every American product may be impossible, making conscious shopping choices can shift economic power and send a message that Canada is not for sale.
Prioritizing Canadian businesses and avoiding American corporations means Canadians can take control of their economic future while fostering national pride and self-sufficiency.
Please let me know if I’ve left any grocery chains off the list in the comment section.
Elbows Up, Canada!!!
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.