Shop local, support Canadian communities

From: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

There has never been a better time to shop local! From coast to coast to coast, small businesses are the heart of our communities and your support is what helps them thrive.

Did you know? Small- and medium-sized businesses account for 99% of all Canadian businesses and employ 64% of Canada's private sector workforce. Local businesses are the backbone of this country and we're offering you tips on how you can support them.

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Reasons why you should support local businesses

Here are some examples of the positive impacts of choosing to buy local:

  • It feels good – you can show pride in being Canadian by purchasing products and services from Canadian businesses
  • Every hard-earned dollar you choose to spend at a local business helps strengthen our economy and build a stronger and more resilient Canada
  • You support job creation and small business owners, entrepreneurs and workers in your region
  • You directly support Canadian innovation by driving productivity, creating resilient supply chains and competition, which can lead to lower prices and more choices in your area
  • You are "going green" because choosing small businesses that source from local suppliers often means a reduced carbon footprint
  • It's personal – you are fostering a human connection to local business owners and entrepreneurs who are our neighbours and often play a key role in supporting our communities

And most importantly, by shopping local, you will likely discover new and unique products specific to your region!

How to support small businesses in your community

Supporting small businesses is easy with these tips:

1. Familiarize yourself with small businesses in your area

Looking for local businesses in your area? Here are just a few examples of where to start:

  • Follow local and small businesses, such as stores, merchants, and restaurants, on social media
  • Subscribe to your local newspaper or community newsletter
  • Look for bulletins and events posted online such as on your local community centre, online bulletin boards, neighbourhood associations, municipal and library websites
  • Read and post reviews of local and small businesses to help inform your decision and encourage others to visit local vendors

As part of its Shop Local initiative from during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada supported the work of provinces and territories, through chambers of commerce and other local organizations, to encourage consumers to support local small businesses. This included the creation of resources and databases to make it easier for Canadians to prioritize buying local. Many of the campaigns and resources from the 2022 Shop Local Initiative are still available. The following is a non-exhaustive list of online resources produced as part of this program, as well as other provincial and territorial government resources to help you find local businesses.

Please note that this list does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by the Government of Canada of the databases linked below or the businesses they contain and is provided for information only.

2. Take action to support small businesses

There are many ways you can take action to show local businesses your support. For example, you can:

  • Order directly from the business: you and the business owner might save on third-party service fees if you order directly from them
  • Encourage your friends and family to support local businesses by purchasing gift certificates or gift cards from a local store
  • Engage with the content of social media pages you follow from local and small businesses, such as stores, merchants, and restaurants, to amplify their reach
  • Travel within Canada and support local economies in our beautiful country by staying at local inns and dining at local privately-owned eateries

Choosing Canadian

Want to buy Canadian? There are a few things to consider when making purchasing decisions to ensure you are spending your money strategically. While shopping local, keep an eye out for products that are of Canadian origin. Here are a few things you can do to identify Canadian products, services and businesses when shopping in person and online.

When shopping in person:

  • Check store shelving for clear markers and special signage highlighting Canadian-made products
  • Ask a shop owner about Canadian-made or sourced products

If there are few retail options near you to buy local products, consider buying from elsewhere in Canada instead of abroad.

When shopping online for Canadian products and services:

  • Verify if you can filter your search for products and services by country or origin
  • Check product descriptions for information about whether the product is sourced, manufactured or assembled in Canada
  • Look for an origin section on product pages
  • Visit the "About Us" sections of websites to determine if a company is Canadian

Making informed purchasing decisions:

  • Pause and reflect before you buy. Consider the costs and benefits of a local item vs. purchasing from abroad.
    • Are there safety, quality or sustainability considerations you need to evaluate before you choose between a local and a non-local option? Sticking to your budget is important, but making informed purchasing decisions is about more than choosing the least expensive option. Examine the materials and the overall quality of the product to make a decision that is worth your hard-earned money.
  • Be mindful about marketing: A Canadian symbol like a maple leaf, an Inukshuk or beaver on a product, doesn't necessarily mean it has been sourced or manufactured in Canada.
  • Look for labels that say Product of Canada, or Made in Canada, on consumer goods. The Competition Bureau outlines what these claims mean.
  • Check the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)'s How to identify Canadian food web page for help identifying foods grown, raised and prepared in Canada.
    • Certain certification labels and organic markings are Canada-specific. Look for "Canada organic", or goods that are province- or territory-made

Local and small businesses are proud of what they have to offer and want you to have a positive shopping experience. By shopping their offerings, you can help local businesses prosper, making it even easier to continue shopping locally in the future.

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