As tensions over U.S. trade tariffs continue, a renewed “Buy Canadian” movement is encouraging consumers to prioritize domestically produced goods. Amid growing interest in supporting Canadian-made products, shoppers are paying closer attention to product labels, particularly the distinctions between “Made in Canada” and “Product of Canada”
According to Canada’s Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, and the Textile Labelling Act, companies are not required to disclose a product’s country of origin. However, any misleading or false claims about Canadian content are prohibited.
- “Product of Canada”: Must contain at least 98% Canadian content, ensuring that the majority of ingredients, materials, and processing originate from Canada.
- “Made in Canada”: Must have at least 51% Canadian content and must be accompanied by a qualifying statement indicating that the product contains imported ingredients or components.
For consumers looking to maximize their support for Canadian industries, choosing ‘Product of Canada’ ensures the highest level of domestic content.
In addition to these two widely recognized labels, Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab has highlighted a third classification for Canadian consumers to consider:
- “Prepared in Canada”: Indicates that final manufacturing or processing took place in Canada, but the ingredients are primarily foreign-sourced.
“Canadians who want to make the biggest ‘Buy Canadian’ impact at the grocery store should choose ‘Product of Canada’ whenever possible,” said Sylvain Charlebois, senior director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University.
Public figures and media personalities are also amplifying the Buy Canadian movement. Sid Seixeiro, host of Breakfast Television, recently encouraged retailers to maintain in-store ‘Buy Canadian’ signage to help inform shoppers.
“Some people might want to change their shopping habits going forward. It’s helpful,” Seixeiro said in a social media post.
With Donald Trump’s tariff threats still in the spotlight, Charlebois predicts that the Buy Canadian sentiment will continue growing—though he warns that without sustained engagement, it could fade over time.
“With Donald Trump constantly in the news, Canadians are reminded every day of what he’s trying to do,” Charlebois noted. “But it faded last time.”
As Canada’s retail and food sectors adapt to shifting consumer preferences, the “Buy Canadian” movement may become a long-term trend rather than a short-term reaction to trade tensions. Consumers who want to make the biggest economic impact are encouraged to look for the ‘Product of Canada’ label and support local producers and manufacturers whenever possible.