Many Canadians want to “Shop Canadian”, but what does that mean?
There’s a lot of confusion around what qualifies as Canadian shopping. As Canadians, many of us want to do the best we can to support our economy. We do our due diligence and often come up with our own personal criteria for our own personal “Shop Canadian” journey.
Often what happens though, is that by the time we craft this criteria, it’s not unusual for us to get tired of the task we’ve just assigned ourselves. We may do all the work for the first thing we purchase on our journey, and then do a bit less the next time, and then eventually go back to what we know and are comfortable with.
This is understandable, we all want to do the best we can but we’ve also grown used to the habits we’ve developed over many years.
Some Questions We May Ask Ourselves:
- Is this item made in Canada?
- Can I buy it through a Canadian retailer?
- Is this company actually Canadian owned?
- Does buying this support local jobs?
- Is this just rebranded/imported, or really Canadian?
- Am I even doing this right?
This is a lot, to say the least. For most of us, this is also overwhelming and not sustainable for every day purchases. We all have busy lives and time is always a factor.
Instead, Consider These Two Questions:
- Does this purchase keep more of my money in the Canadian economy than if I make this purchase elsewhere?
- Does this purchase make sense for me, and my circumstances?
That’s it. Simple. Easy.
At Maplecrafted, we believe that whatever each of us does to shop Canadian should be sustainable and repeatable. Shopping Canadian doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing exercise.
Everyone has different needs, budgets, time constraints, and options. While we should all feel encouraged to shop for Canadian items at Canadian stores with a Canadian supply chain, sometimes this just isn’t realistic. However, choosing a Canadian store when you can is repeatable and makes a real difference over time.
Retailers throughout the country are promoting Made in Canada goods and making a better effort to educate customers on product selection. Simply shopping with a Canadian retailer signals to them that the appetite is there for domestic stores and goods. As businesses, over time they will meet more of our expectations as we continue to change our habits in regards to where we shop.
With this in mind, let’s tackle some of the most common myths about shopping Canadian so you can better understand your impact and make decisions that work for you.
Myth 1: “Shopping Canadian” Only Means Buying ‘Made in Canada’
Reality: For most consumers, supporting the local economy means shopping at Canadian-owned retailers. This is true even when their products are manufactured elsewhere. Canadian stores offer a mix of domestic and imported goods, and even “Canadian-made” often involves imported components. What matters is that profits, jobs, and taxes typically stay local when you shop through Canadian channels. Simply choosing a Canadian store goes a long way.
Myth 2: Canadian Retailers Can’t Compete on Selection or Price.
Reality: Canadian retailers frequently match or beat global prices. This is especially true when you factor in shipping, duties, free returns, and promotions. Many Canadian retailers compete head-to-head with international sites and you can often take advantage of price matching. The price matching point is especially true when shopping in-store. While there are exceptions, broad claims that Canadian stores can’t compete are outdated.
Myth 3: Shopping Canadian is Less Convenient
Reality: Canadian businesses are equipped with fast shipping, curbside pickup, easy payment, and robust support. Shipping to most Canadian cities is often 1–3 days, and return policies compare favourably with major internationals. If you’re in a major urban centre, you can sometimes even get same-day delivery, which often beats the large multinationals time to your door. Choosing local doesn’t mean compromising on convenience.
Myth 4: You’re Not Making a Difference
Reality: Even occasional purchases from Canadian merchants directly influence local jobs, community reinvestment, and our broader retail ecosystem. According to the CFIB, 66 cents of every dollar spent at a small local business stays in your community, compared to just 11 cents from multinational or U.S.-owned stores. That money goes into paycheques for your neighbours, local sponsorships, and community improvement. The impact is real, even more so in smaller towns where those 66 cents contribute a larger share of the local economy.
Myth 5: Shopping Canadian is Only About Special Interests or Patriotism
Reality: Shopping Canadian isn’t just about patriotism. Canadians choose local merchants for practical reasons such as fast shipping, competitive prices and selection, and perks that fit daily life. Supporting Canadian business isn’t about “waving the flag”. If you have local options, shopping Canadian is simply a practical way to keep value in your community.
It’s the small, thoughtful choices that help our economy thrive. Choosing Canadian, even once in a while, is an easy way to keep more value in our communities.
