Help make it easy to buy Canadian products and services by requesting Canadian retailers (businesses and government stores) to start to restock their shelves/tables and change their digital presence.

This is a problem when I went into a British Columbia liquor store to buy a beverage. It was good to see a paper sign posted at elbow level that said "Buy Canadian." So I decided that I should look for a Canadian substitute and I found one. Lo and behold, where was it located? On the bottom shelf! Why are we making it more difficult to find these products?

One of the reasons is that some manufacturers often pay a 'slotting fee" to display their products more prominently on shelves. However, now is the time when decisions should be made to display Canadian products and services most prominently.

These Canadian products and services should be:

1. Easily accessible and displayed at arm's length or eye level so that anyone can reach and find the product. 
2. Highlighted with Canadian Flags, a Maple Leaf or Buy Canadian. Some retailers have already started. Keep it simple to update and retain.
3. Placed mid shelf in each category of products, and not just in a separate Canadian aisle.
4. Highlighted in each category of their online portals and especially their apps.

Retailers know their products and services best and can help identify whether the item is a Product of Canada (98% or more), Made in Canada (51% or more) or Local (within 50 km of the originating province or territory). They can make it easier for us to buy Canadian products and services.

Did you know that the labeling of products is regulated by the Competition Bureau of Canada which enforces laws for false or misleading advertising but it does not regulate which shelves products are placed or how they are digitally displayed?

In addition to helping consumers find Canadian products and services, prominently displaying products and services will also help us to break down interprovincial barriers by raising awareness and finding ways to sell our products and services east to west to north.

Please reach out to business owners that you patronize to refresh their shelves/tables and online portals and make it easy for Canadians to find Canadian products and services. Ask government decision makers to improve their stores and if needed, revise regulations or legislation to support these efforts.

During this paused or potential trade war, all Canadians will be impacted in the future if we don't vote with our dollars and buy Canadian products and services where possible. Our economy and the livelihoods of Canadians depend on it.

I hope you feel strongly enough about this issue to please forward this onto at least 6 persons/businesses to keep the ball rolling.

-------------------------------------------------

There are articles in the media that highlight this issue and associated problems:

• Companies embrace buy Canadian sentiment as tariffs approach
• Alberta family designs new app to help Canadians buy Canadian
• 'A wake up call for North America:' Experts warn trying to buy Canadian may be harder than you think
• Made in Canada' vs. 'Product of Canada' — What's the difference?

There are also other petitions that have started promoting similar ideas. I have added their petitions for your consideration here:

• Demand-clear-labelling-of-canadian-products-in-stores-and-markets
• Require-highly-visible-country-of-origin-labels-on-food-to-help-consumers-buy-canadian
• Empower-canadian-consumers-encourage-product-of-canada-labels-in-our-grocery-stores

Petition finalized on February 10, 2025