A giant sized Canadian flag waves in the wind in Cache Creek.

(SHANNON AINSLIE / iNFOnews.ca)

A Vernon man was quick to respond to U.S. president Donald Trump's sweeping tariff threats against Canadian goods and services.

Fred Nelson started a Facebook group called Buy Canadian First on Feb. 1 and it had 8,000 members in a matter of weeks including people from all across the country, Australia and even the United States.

“A lot of people have been helping redirect consumers towards other goods to help get away from American goods,” Nelson said. “There have been some very kind Americans joining in, supporting the cause.” 

Buy Canadian First is a mecca for consumers as it shares tips and information on where to buy products that are made in Canada, and in recent weeks discussions are focussing more on boycotting U.S. products.

“Originally pictures were shared of food goods manufactured in Canada, but now it’s shifted to sourcing from other countries like Mexico that are not threatening our sovereignty.

“Someone will say I’m looking for a shampoo made in Canada, then there is a push by others to find it, whether from a large company or smaller, regional crafters. Someone couldn’t find bok choy that’s not from the U.S., so another will say they found it from Mexico at a Save On Foods.”

The trends Nelson is seeing in the campaign are reflective of the recent results of an Angus Reid poll stating almost 80% of Canadians say they’re committed to buying more Canadian products, while almost 60% say they will boycott products from the U.S.

Groceries are where the biggest consumer changes are being made with 98% of Canadians looking for Made in Canada labels, but Nelson said finding and identifying Canadian products can be tricky, and many stores are not doing a good job of helping consumers. 

“Some retailers have been called out for putting paper Made in Canada labels over products from the U.S.,” he said. “People have to be diligent and look at the label if they want to be successful.

“Something may be labelled a Product of Canada, but the materials inside it were sourced from the U.S. so we have to take that into consideration as well.”

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A big topic of discussion among group members is whether they should purchase goods from U.S.-owned retailers or only Canadian-owned companies.

“People are very aware that if they boycott Costco it’s going to affect the workers there,” Nelson said. “They realize if they go to Costco and have a choice of buying a flat of peaches that come from the U.S. or Ontario, they have to choose the ones from Ontario. They may cost a bit more but generally those that can are going to make that choice.”

For example, Kirkland Signature products are a popular brand in Costo Canada locations, but it isn’t a Canadian brand, it’s the private label brand of Costco Wholesale that is headquartered in Washington state, according to an article by money.ca.

Some of Kirkland’s products — like certain dairy products, maple syrup and meats — are sourced from Canadian suppliers. There's a range of American and Canadian-made goods at Costco, but shoppers wanting to support Canada, need to know which ones are which.

Some products are harder than others to find substitutes for.

“This time of year, our fresh produce takes more looking and investigation to watch for,” Nelson said. “I don’t think we get celery from anywhere except the U.S. but we can buy Canadian carrots, not so much in large chains but smaller type grocers carry more Canadian produce.

“In B.C. we have a company in Oliver that produces lettuce and it is going through a boom time right now for the first time in its history because now there is a demand for Canadian lettuce. People are grabbing that rather than the American grown iceberg and leaf lettuce.”

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Nelson said the more demand consumers create for Canadian goods the more manufacturers will respond by investing in setting up factories, and the more local businesses will benefit.

Earlier this month, a country-wide Buy Canadian campaign began spreading through social media targeting Feb. 28 as a day for consumers to boycott U.S. made products, avoid shopping at American-owned stores and support local businesses, and members of Nelson’s campaign are onboard.

“It started as a black out period in the U.S. where people cut back on consuming for one day, and I think Canadians have taken it and amended it to not purchase anything from the U.S. for one day," he said. “That’s a good start. Not everybody can afford to fill their shopping cart with 100 per cent Canadian goods but a lot of people are trying to make an attempt, I think people are doing what they can.”

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Nelson doesn’t think the boycott is temporary. 

“I think there has been damage done and Canadians are going to continue to put their own products and own nation first,” he said.

“I think maybe one of the best things Trump has done for us is to put a fire under Canadians and make us think and prioritize our goods and our nation over others.”

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