So the Made in CA directory (think Yellow Pages but just for Canadian-made products) blew up earlier this year after the U.S. started tossing around new tariff threats. It got 100,000+ visits in a single day, and tons of small businesses rushed to list their products.
That kind of spike doesn’t happen by accident—it feels like a signal that Canadians are way more serious about buying local than we were a few years ago.
Why this matters:
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People are starting to use “Made in Canada” as a flex, almost like a social statement.
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Visibility for small local businesses is exploding—farmers’ markets, local brands, even directories like Made in CA are buzzing.
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Buyers are showing they’ll pay a little more if the product has a good Canadian story behind it.
Where I see the biggest opportunity:
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Food & drink → craft beer, farms, local snack brands.
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Clothing/lifestyle → small apparel brands (think Anian, Roots, artisanal gear).
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Niche goods → pet stuff, décor, handmade gifts.
But here’s what I’m curious about: is this just a temporary spike because people are reacting to U.S. politics, or are we actually seeing the start of a long-term Canadian consumer movement?