Growing number of consumers seeking Canadian-made products: Poll

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A growing number of Canadians are steering their purchasing power toward local goods and avoiding American products altogether.

That’s according to the latest research from Abacus Data.

The Canadian pollster revealed 84% of those surveyed say they have considered buying more Canadian-made products in the past few days in response to American tariff threats that would negatively affect the Canadian economy.

In addition, 42% of respondents say they will “absolutely do everything” they can to avoid buying products made in the United States or from American companies.

**Are you a business selling or producing Canadian products in the GTA? Contact spapuckoski@postmedia.com**

Abacus Data says the recent trend towards buying Canadian products is mainly being driven by emotion.

“When people feel strongly about an issue, they often vote with their wallets, rewarding or punishing brands and products in direct response to their views and values,” David Coletto, the polling firm’s founder, chair, and CEO, and v-p Eddie Sheppard wrote this week.

“Today, Canadian consumers are in the midst of an emotional, politically charged moment, and this is having a tangible effect on how and where they shop.”

Browse social media sites or online chat groups about the buy local trend and you will find Canadians proudly sharing information about their favourite local products. There is also chatter about avoiding travel south of the border and cutting Netflix, Hulu and Disney Plus subscriptions.

The survey bore out that sentiment as 34% of respondents said they have cancelled a trip to the U.S. and 32% have either cancelled or seriously considered cancelling streaming services owned by American companies.

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“This uptick in conscious consumerism stems from a desire to send a clear message: Canadian shoppers want to support homegrown brands and manufacturers they see as reflecting their values,” the authors wrote.

Meanwhile, researchers found consumers in general were not sure which brands are truly Canadian and which are not.

For example, 67% of respondents think Tim Hortons is Canadian. The restaurant chain, while founded in Hamilton and based in Toronto, is owned by the Canadian-American multinational fast-food holding company Restaurant Brands International Inc.

In addition, 68% believe Molson remains a Canadian company, 41% believe Boston Pizza is Canadian, and 57% see Dollarama as homegrown.

The pollster also noted the perception that food items on grocery store shelves are mainly homegrown or made in Canada is at best fuzzy.

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Slightly more than four in 10 of respondents think most packaged food in Canadian grocery stores is made in Canada, while 40% believe this is false.

Abacus Data suggests food brands should keep an eye on changing consumer habits and clearly identify how Canadian their products really are.

“Donald Trump has stirred a wave of Canadian nationalism and pride that is rapidly changing the retail and consumer landscape,” the authors wrote. “People want to buy Canadian-made products, they want to reward companies that reflect Canadian values, and they have become more inclined to punish companies they see as tied too closely to the U.S. market or political sphere.”