Image Credit: Lost Hprizons
Since US tariffs started reshaping trade, many of us have started flipping products over to read the label. Wanting to shop Canadian is the easy part. Figuring out what "Made in Canada" means, and where to find Canadian brands in one place, takes a little more work.
This guide walks you through it. You'll learn what the main origin labels mean, which categories to start with, where to shop online, and how to check a brand's claims. We finish with answers to the most common questions about buying Canadian.
What does it mean to shop Canadian?
To shop Canadian means choosing products made in Canada, sold by Canadian-owned businesses, or both. A product can be Canadian in three ways: who owns the company, where the product is manufactured, and where its materials come from. Each shopper decides which of those layers matters most.
At Common Goods, we'd rather make each compromise legible than run a purity test. A Canadian-owned brand that manufactures overseas is still a Canadian company, and you deserve to know both facts before you buy. That's why we help you shop Canadian brands online with filters that show where products are made.
Why Canadians are shopping Canadian right now
US tariffs pushed buying Canadian to the top of many shopping lists. Abacus Data surveyed 1,479 Canadian adults in September 2026. In the Abacus Data buy-Canadian survey, 77% say they will avoid American products or buy as few as possible.
The same poll found that 61% say they have already bought more Canadian products. That's self-reported, so treat it as a signal rather than sales data.
Trade ties explain why the issue feels so personal. According to Statistics Canada trade data, the share of Canada's merchandise exports going to the US fell from 75.9% in 2024 to 71.7% in 2025. Even after that drop, the US still buys most of the goods Canada exports.
Our own community tells a similar story. When Common Goods surveyed shoppers, 93% said they would prefer to buy Canadian if given an equally convenient option. That points to convenience as the real barrier.
Made in Canada vs. Product of Canada: what the labels mean
Canada has two common origin claims, and the rules differ for food and non-food goods. For non-food goods, the Competition Bureau's origin guidelines set thresholds based on the share of total direct costs incurred in Canada.
Under those guidelines, the Bureau generally won't challenge a "Product of Canada" claim if at least 98% of total direct costs were incurred here. For "Made in Canada", the threshold is at least 51%, plus a qualifying statement such as "Made in Canada with imported parts". Both claims also require the last substantial transformation of the good to happen in Canada.
Keep in mind that the Competition Bureau doesn't approve or certify these claims. A label is the company's own statement, made within the Bureau's guidelines.
Food follows separate rules. Under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's CFIA food origin rules, "Product of Canada" means all or virtually all major ingredients, processing and labour are Canadian. A "Made in Canada" food claim must carry a qualifying statement, such as "Made in Canada from imported ingredients".
On food, the claim "Canadian" counts the same as "Product of Canada". A maple leaf on its own isn't proof of origin.
| Product of Canada | Made in Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Non-food goods (Competition Bureau guidelines) | At least 98% of total direct costs incurred in Canada; last substantial transformation in Canada | At least 51% of total direct costs incurred in Canada; last substantial transformation in Canada |
| Food (CFIA rules) | All or virtually all major ingredients, processing and labour are Canadian | Made in Canada, with a statement on imported or Canadian ingredients |
| Qualifying statement required | No | Yes, such as "with imported parts" or "from imported ingredients" |
| Approved or certified by the Competition Bureau | No | No |
Unlike the origin labels above, ownership isn't something a label tells you. That's why we verify every brand's incorporation documents at Common Goods before it joins the marketplace.
When manufacturing matters most to you, browse the Made in Canada collection. Every brand in it has already passed our ownership check.
Best Canadian-made products to buy
Some categories make it easier to buy Canadian than others. Everyday items you repurchase often are a good place to start, because each swap repeats with every order.
Here's where to begin, with curated picks from verified Canadian-owned brands on Common Goods:
- Food and drink: Pantry staples and teas from brands like Tealish make easy daily swaps. Start with Canadian-made food and drink.
- Skincare and wellness: Skincare runs out quickly, so it's a simple category to switch. Explore Canadian skincare and wellness brands.
- Home: Furniture, lighting, and bedding are bigger purchases where origin is worth checking. Shop Canadian-owned furniture and lighting.
- Kids and baby: Gifts and essentials for little ones are a friendly entry point. Browse Canadian kids and baby brands.
- Apparel and accessories: Ownership and manufacturing often differ in clothing. Check both the brand's home base and the garment's label.
A mix works well. You might choose Canadian-made for food and skincare, then accept a Canadian-owned brand that manufactures abroad for a winter coat.
Where to shop Canadian online
If you've searched for a buy Canada website, you've probably noticed the options fall into three groups. Marketplaces let you buy from many brands in one cart. Alternative finders help you swap a foreign brand for a Canadian one, and directories list Canadian businesses by category.
Each type fills a different gap. Marketplaces solve the convenience gap, which matters if, like 93% of the shoppers we surveyed, you'd buy Canadian when it's just as easy.
| Resource type | How it works | Best for | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketplace | Sells products from many Canadian businesses through one website | Buying from several brands in one order | Common Goods, Shoppa.ca |
| Alternative finder | Suggests Canadian options to replace brands you already buy | Swapping a familiar foreign product | TryCanadian |
| Directory | Lists Canadian businesses and products by category | Researching brands before you visit their sites | Made in CA |
Directories and alternative finders are great for research. When you're ready to buy, a marketplace saves you from setting up accounts at a dozen separate stores.
Common Goods: a marketplace for Canadian-owned brands
Common Goods is a Canadian-owned marketplace that brings together over 400 independent brands from across the country. Every business is verified Canadian through its incorporation documents before it can sell with us.
We're also open about how Canadian each product is. Across Common Goods vendors, 40% make their products in Canada and 16% make some of their goods here. Another 43% manufacture abroad, and 1% are Canadian distributors of international brands.
That transparency is what shoppers use most. "Made in Canada is the number-one filter used on our website," says Common Goods founder Val Crisp. You can also filter brands by province to shop closer to home.
Checkout is simple: you pay once, and each vendor ships its part of your order directly to you. That means your order may arrive in more than one box.
How to check if a product is truly Canadian
If you find it hard to tell, you're not alone. In a survey of nearly 1,500 consumers, BDC consumer research found only two in five say it's easy to identify Canadian products. Abacus Data also found that 89% want grocery stores to clearly indicate which products are made in Canada.
Until labelling gets clearer, these four habits help:
- Read the full label: Look for the qualifying statement beside "Made in Canada", such as "with imported parts" or "from imported ingredients".
- Separate the store from the source: Buying from a Canadian retailer doesn't mean the product was made here. Check the label as well as the shop.
- Check who owns the brand: Look up the company's headquarters and parent company. A familiar Canadian name may belong to a foreign parent.
- Use filters and directories: Tools like the Made in Canada filter on Common Goods narrow your search before you start reading labels.
Price is the other half of the equation. BDC found that two-thirds of Canadians say price drives most of their purchases. Still, more than half say they would likely pay more for Canadian-made products, with an average premium of 23% among those willing.
Abacus Data has also found that only about one in five will buy Canadian when it costs noticeably more. Surveys differ, but price clearly remains a top factor.
So if a Canadian-made option is out of reach, supporting a Canadian-owned company that manufactures abroad can be Canadian enough. You decide where your line is.
How shopping Canadian supports local communities
Small businesses are a big part of how Canadians earn a living. According to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's Key Small Business Statistics, small businesses employed 5.8 million people in 2024. That's 46.6% of the private-sector workforce.
Small firms also make up most of the business landscape. As of December 2024, 98.2% of Canada's employer businesses were small, meaning they had fewer than 100 employees.
Independent makers face steep competition for attention, though. In a Common Goods survey of makers, 82% said they can't afford paid ads to compete with large corporations. Choosing an independent Canadian brand helps it get noticed without an ad budget.
That's the idea behind Common Goods: a home-grown marketplace built to keep wealth circulating within Canadian communities. Every purchase goes to a real Canadian business.
Gifting is an easy place to start. Birthdays, holidays, and thank-yous are all chances to try gifts from Canadian brands, and gift orders over $140 ship free within Canada.
Frequently asked questions
What are some of the best Canadian-made products?
Food and drink, skincare, bedding, furniture, kids' goods, and apparel are all strong categories for Canadian-made products. Start with whatever you buy most often, so each swap counts.
What is the difference between Made in Canada and Product of Canada?
For non-food goods, Competition Bureau guidelines set "Product of Canada" at 98% of direct costs and "Made in Canada" at 51% with a qualifying statement. Food follows separate CFIA rules based on ingredients, processing and labour.
What is the Shop Canadian app?
Instead of a single app, most shoppers use a mix of marketplaces, alternative finders, and directories. That includes Common Goods, where you can shop 400+ Canadian-owned brands in one cart.
Can I order Canadian products from outside Canada?
It depends on the retailer, so check each store's shipping policy before you order. Common Goods collections ship within Canada.
Will the buy-Canadian movement last?
Abacus Data's tracking suggests it's holding: 77% say they'll avoid American products or buy as few as possible, nearly unchanged from 78% in February 2025. That's stated intent, so actual spending may differ.
Ready to put it into practice? Shop Canadian brands at Common Goods and discover 400+ independent brands, all verified Canadian, in one cart.
