The buy Canadian movement has grown since the dawn of the trade war, but the Canadian Federation of Independent Business says it differs from the buy local campaigns we’ve come to support in recent years.
CFIB senior policy analyst Michelle Auger says the united front is very encouraging, but also offers a reminder about products being carried by local businesses.
There have been multiple reports from across the country of small businesses trying to sell American-made stock at a discount, only to have consumers walk away. In most cases, those products were ordered before any sign of a trade war.
Auger says even though the products come from south of the border, the results of the sale stay largely with the neighbourhood business owner.
Auger says buying Canadian and buying local should be considered different, yet equally important. It all depends where you’re shopping and what you’re buying.
She stresses that consumers should learn where their money goes and how it helps the Canadian economy depending on where it is spent.
She concludes that as knowledge of the situation grows, it’s impressive to see Canadians having conversations and coming together to best serve the country, small business, and consumers during these uncertain times.