Identifying Canadian Products Becomes Challenging Due to Vast Array of Labels

Determining how Canadian a product is can be quite tricky, with experts suggesting that individuals looking to support homegrown options need to conduct thorough research and be prepared to make tough decisions.

Figuring out the origins of a product is complex due to the various misleading messages that companies use to convey items as Canadian, even when they may be made locally using ingredients from elsewhere or owned by an international parent company.

“It is extremely tricky, and it is harder to buy Canadian than you may think,” said Mike von Massow, a food economist and professor at the University of Guelph.

He noted that individuals seeking to purchase Canadian goods to help with the tariff dispute with the U.S. will need to make decisions on how committed they are to the cause and may have to exclude certain items from their shopping lists.

While looking for Canadian alternatives, consumers may discover that many of their favorite U.S. products have no Canadian substitutes due to various factors like limited production in the country or unsuitable climate conditions.

For items like fresh broccoli or lettuce that are not typically grown in Canadian greenhouses during winter months, consumers may need to shift their focus from buying Canadian to purchasing products made outside the U.S., according to von Massow.

They could also consider buying seasonal Canadian produce or items with a longer shelf life.

When it comes to determining a product’s origin, von Massow recommends checking labels and in-store signage, although he cautions that they can sometimes be misleading.

Packaging clues

Labels labeled as “made in Canada” for food products could include ingredients from other countries as long as the substantial transformation occurred in Canada, as stated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

On the other hand, “product of Canada” implies that nearly all parts, processing, and labor used to make the product are Canadian, with some exceptions for imported food items.

For non-food products, strict guidelines dictate the percentage of production costs that must be incurred in Canada to qualify for these labels.

Additionally, labels denoting where the product was assembled, sewn, roasted, etc., in Canada can be used to showcase Canadian pride.

Canadian workers

The complexity of labeling is further compounded by the shifting locations of production and sourcing.

For example, Canadian companies may produce goods with Canadian ingredients for parts of the year, raising questions about supporting Canadian workers even if the product does not bear a “product of Canada” label.

Ultimately, each individual must decide the extent to which they want to support the Buy Canadian movement, considering factors like comfort level, preferences, income, proximity to stores, and the time needed for research.

“It’s very confusing and challenging,” von Massow said. “But with dedication, individuals can navigate through it, though it will require some investment of time.”