Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump followed through on his promise to impose tariffs on Canada.
As per a White House press release, the President formally signed an executive order on February 1, imposing a 25% tariff on almost all Canadian goods (along with a 10% tariff on Canadian energy products), effective Tuesday, February 4.
It means American companies will soon face significantly higher costs when importing Canadian goods, putting Canada’s economy in a tough spot.
In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau swiftly announced Ottawa’s retaliation with 25% tariffs on $155 billion worth of American products. This mutual tariff imposition is expected to increase the cost of American products in Canada as well.
As a result, “Made in Canada” labels are already becoming more prominent in grocery stores nationwide, with shoppers being ecouraged to support homegrown brands.
Even Costco appears to be doing more to make Canadian products easier to identify.
While these tariffs go beyond just food, if you’re looking to replace American goods with Canadian alternatives — whether for your budget or national pride — here’s a list of locally made grocery items to consider on your next shopping trip.
Deli meat
If you’re not buying cold cuts from your local butcher, there’s a good chance you’re digging through the pre-packaged deli meats section at the supermarket.
One popular brand you may want to skip out on for the next little while is Oscar Mayer, a subsidiary of the Kraft Heinz Company and a major producer of hot dogs.
Easy Canadian replacements include:
- Maple Leafs
- Olymel
- Schneider’s
Syrup
Nobody needs to tell a Canadian how great maple syrup is.
However, plenty of folks on both sides of the border prefer to lather their pancakes and waffles in table syrup, which is essentially high-fructose corn syrup and artificial flavours (we’re not judging!).
The Pearl Milling Company (formerly Aunt Jemima) is one of the biggest names in the table syrup market. Alternatives to the American brand include:
- Compliments (by Sobey’s)
- President’s Choice
But if you’re looking for the real deal, you can always spend a little extra and get pure Canadian maple syrup instead. Your taste buds will thank you!
Canned soup
From its iconic red can to its presence in 20th-century Pop Art, Campbell’s has been a staple in the canned soup aisle for generations.
If you’re seeking a hearty replacement, check out the following Canadian brands:
- Alymer
- Habitant (by Loblaw’s)
- President’s Choice
- Our Finest (by Walmart Canada)
Cheese
Kraft and Velveeta are American. But the following Canadian cheese brands won’t have you missing them anytime soon.
- Armstrong
- Black Diamond
- OKA
- Saputo
- Tre Stelle
Coffee
This one seems like an easy fix — just buy a box of Tim Horton’s pods instead of Starbucks, right?
Well, not so fast. While Tim Horton’s was founded in Ontario and still has its headquarters there, its parent company, Restaurant Brands International (RBI), is a multinational corporation with strong American ties. The majority shareholder, 3G Capital, is a Brazilian investment firm, making Tim’s less Canadian than many people assume.
If you’re looking for coffee brands with deeper Canadian roots, consider:
And when you’re grabbing a coffee on the go, opting for a local café will likely get you something even tastier while supporting small businesses.
Ketchup
There’s one brand that comes to mind when we think of ketchup. But while Heinz recently moved a lot its production back to Canada, the bulk of its profits still go south of the border.
So if Heinz is off the table, you can still get their signature condiment from the following companies:
- President’s Choice
- Compliments
- The Ketchup Project (Available in Ontario and Quebec)
Soda
Coke, Pepsi and Sprite are some of the most consumed beverages on Earth.
Luckily, Canada produces plenty of great soda too, including:
- Brio
- Canada Dry
- President’s Choice
Cookies
OREO or Chips Ahoy! (both owned by Nabisco) are certainly popular favourites. But if you’re willing to give something else a try, you might fall in love with a few Canadian cookie staples like:
Sports drinks
Gatorade and Powerade consumers can easily get their electrolyte fix by opting for the following Canadian sports drinks widely consumed by pro athletes:
Yogurt
If Yoplait is your usual go-to for yogurt, consider swapping it for one of these brands that support Canadian dairy farmers:
Juice
Florida orange juice has been a hot topic in the trade war, with the latest tariffs making American brands like Tropicana more expensive for Canadian shoppers. If you’re looking to swap out your usual carton, here are two Canadian alternatives:
Cereal
Kellogg’s may be one of the biggest names in the cereal aisle, but there are plenty of Canadian-made options to satisfy your cravings for Mini-Wheats or Special K.
- Nature’s Path
- Quaker (some products made in Canada)
Finally, when shopping, be sure to check the back label. Products made in Canada will typically indicate their origin, helping you make informed choices.
