Boycotting American Products: A Guide for Canadians
In response to tariffs imposed on Canadian goods by the United States, a growing number of Canadians have decided to vote with their wallets by avoiding U.S. products and supporting Canadian businesses instead. This movement is more than just a symbolic gesture—it’s a way for consumers to encourage economic independence and support domestic industries.
To make the boycott easier, new tools and applications have emerged to help shoppers identify which products are truly Canadian (or at least not American) and which benefit American-owned brands. Below is a list of some of the best resources available to help Canadians make informed purchasing decisions.
Tools to Identify and Support Canadian Products
1. Shop Canadian App
Developed by Albertans William Boytinck and Matthew Suddaby, this app allows users to scan product barcodes to determine the Canadian content of an item. The app relies on a community-driven database where users contribute information and rank products based on their origins. It quickly became a top-ranking shopping app in Canada.
2. O SCANada
My personal favourite! Created by Calgary-based developers Cathy and Ryan Checora, O SCANada makes it easy to identify where a product is made by scanning a barcode or searching manually. The app uses artificial intelligence to provide detailed information on a product’s origin and suggests Canadian-made alternatives when available.
3. Buy Beaver
Buy Beaver is another community-driven platform where users rate products on a scale of one to five based on how Canadian they are. The app is designed to help consumers quickly determine whether their purchases support Canadian businesses. It has consistently ranked among the top free shopping apps on Apple’s App Store.
4. Check the Label
Check the Label is a barcode-scanning app that provides details on a product’s origin. With AI-assisted search, it offers insights into where a product is manufactured and whether it supports Canadian or foreign businesses.
5. ‘Made in CA’ Directory
For those who prefer a web-based resource, the Made in CA directory offers a comprehensive list of Canadian-made goods. The directory, managed by digital media consultant Dylan Lobo, has seen a surge in traffic as more Canadians look for reliable information on how to shop Canadian.
6. Buycott App
Buycott is an app that scans barcodes and reveals a product’s corporate ownership, allowing consumers to determine whether their purchase aligns with their values. Users can join campaigns that support or boycott specific brands based on political, social, or economic concerns.
Why This Matters
Choosing Canadian-made products during this trade war helps keep jobs in Canada, strengthens local businesses, and reduces reliance on American corporations that may not always have Canadian interests in mind. There are a plethora of alternatives for every American brand your gamily may be attached to and its such a small thing to tray some of those alternatives to support your country. Meanwhile, by not buying the American brands, we’re sending a message to those company owners and shareholders that their Government’s policies are costing them money both in the short term, and possibly permanently as Canadians grow to love Canadian brands and others from around the world.
By using these tools, consumers can take an active role in shaping the economy while sending a clear message about trade policies.
If you’re looking for ways to make more informed choices at the checkout, these apps and directories offer an easy way to ensure that your money stays in Canada. Whether you’re scanning barcodes, browsing directories, or checking labels, every purchase you make is a step toward economic self-sufficiency, and reinforces our national sovereignty.
~Wayne
What Canadian products do you recommend? Have you used any of these tools? Have you discovered any products that are trying to Maplewash themselves as being Canadian but are actually made in the USA? Let’s discuss in the comments!