Want to Buy Canadian but aren’t sure where to start? We've pulled together information to help you!
Understanding product labels
Did you know that not all products with Canadian symbols are truly Canadian?
Each label means something different.
- "Made in Canada"
This means the product was at least 51 per cent manufactured in Canada, but the ingredients could be imported. - "Product of Canada"
This means at least 98 per cent of the total direct costs of producing the item were incurred in Canada. Essentially, it was made in Canada by Canadians, with negligible imported elements. - "100 per cent Canadian"
This means that all the ingredients, processing and labour used to make the product is all Canadian or located in Canada.
You may also see a maple leaf or Canadian flag on the packaging. But this doesn’t always guarantee the product is Canadian. Always check the label for details on where it was made and where the ingredients come from.
Learn more about origin claims on food labels.
Shopping local
According to the Government of Canada, small- and medium-sized businesses account for 99 per cent of all Canadian businesses and employ 64 per cent of Canada's private sector workforce.
When you buy local you help to create jobs, foster community development and promote local economic growth.
Find local businesses in our community to support:
- Downtown Kitchener
- Belmont Village
- Explore Waterloo Region
- Kitchener Market
- St. Jacobs Market
- Uptown Waterloo
Finding trusted information
We can also connect you to trusted news sources. With our Virtual Library you can access information from newspapers, magazines and more. All you need is a library card.
Visit the City of Kitchener for information on tariffs for businesses and residents.
Visit the City of Burlington for more tips to help you Buy Canadian and make informed decisions.