Why Buying Local Matters More Than Ever

The threat of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods—and potential Canadian counter-tariffs—has sparked a renewed interest in buying local. Consumers are realizing that our economic security, sovereignty, and resilience depend on supporting businesses at home.

As one of Canada’s first "buy local" advocates, we’ve been fielding media requests on this topic. Check out our media page for the latest coverage!

What Does "Buy Canadian" Really Mean?

1) Understanding "Canadian" Products

The Government of Canada has specific rules for labelling food products based on their origin:

• "Product of Canada" – All or nearly all ingredients, processing, and labour are Canadian.
• "Made in Canada from imported ingredients" – The product is processed in Canada but contains imported ingredients.
• "Made in Canada from domestic and imported ingredients" – A mix of Canadian and imported ingredients, with no minimum Canadian content requirement.

Many small manufacturers operate locally, so shopping regionally increases your chances of finding truly Canadian-made products. Programs like Buy BC certify products that are grown, raised, or made in British Columbia, with 51% or more of processing costs originating in the province. Check out the 10,000+ products certified as local in BC!

2) Supporting Canadian-Owned Businesses

Buying Canadian isn't just about where a product comes from—it’s also about who owns the business.

Research from LOCO shows that shopping at locally owned businesses creates 4–8 times the economic impact of buying from multinational corporations. Locally owned businesses reinvest in their communities through wages, purchasing, and charitable giving.

How to Make the Biggest Economic Impact

• Best Case – Buy Canadian-grown and Canadian-made products from Canadian-owned businesses.
• Next Best – Either:
  • Buy imported products from a Canadian-owned business, OR
  • Buy Canadian-grown and Canadian-made products from a non-local business.

If you shop at big public companies, look for Canadian-grown and Canadian-made labels. And while avoiding U.S. imports, remember that some produce may be imported from Mexico, South America, etc. during the winter.

Resources for Finding Canadian-Owned Businesses & Products

1. #BCBuyLocal – Features local businesses, including BC-Made Food Products, BC-Owned Suppliers, Indigenous- and Black-owned businesses, and all the Communities we work with.
2. Buy Social Canada – Showcases locally owned businesses with a social impact.
3. Black Business Association of BC & Black Entrepreneurs of BC – Promote Black-owned businesses.
4. Check out your local government’s economic development site, Business Improvement Area, or Chamber of Commerce for more local businesses.

Final Takeaway

Wherever you shop, choose Canadian-grown and Canadian-made products—and whenever possible, buy from Canadian-owned businesses. Every purchase helps strengthen our economy and communities.