Conducted earlier this month online by the Halifax-based firm Narrative Research, the survey corroborates other polls that a majority of Canadians (in this case, 63 percent) are actively seeking out Canadian goods, but it also notes that they need some guidance.
In particular, the survey found that many Canadians aren’t aware of the difference between two commonly used and admittedly similar-sounding terms: “Product of Canada” vs. “Made in Canada.” Unaided, 37 percent of respondents said they’d prefer “Made in Canada” products vs. 23 percent who’d choose a “Product of Canada.” Forty percent, meanwhile, said they had no preference.
However, Narrative Research notes that there’s actually quite a big difference between the two labels. According to Canada’s Competition Bureau, a non-food “Product of Canada” refers to 98 percent of the total direct cost of production being Canadian, compared to only 51 percent for “Made in Canada.”
Food products are often made from local, or semi-local ingredients, but sold by American companies. McDonald’s, for example, uses Canadian ingredients. There are also many companies that built their brand in Canada and have since been bought out by American firms.
I have been making an effort to buy from Canadian companies first, though I’m sure I’ve made some mistakes.