Is the “buy Canadian” movement having a positive impact?

The whole issue of the trade war with the U.S. has prompted many of us to focus on buying made in Canada goods and services wherever possible.

Save with SPP checked to see how this idea is going, and what benefits it may be bringing.

Writing in Retail Insider, Mario Toneguzzi cites a recent report from NielsenIQ that stated “retailers and brands, take note—this is more than a moment. It’s a mindset. And it’s reshaping what loyalty, value, and national identity look like in the Canadian aisle.”

The article points out that “nearly half of Canadians are taking a stand” on buying Canadian or avoiding American brands. “From boycotting U.S.-made goods to choosing Canadian products even when they’re not the easiest or cheapest option, shoppers are putting their wallets where their values are,” the article adds, again citing NielsenIQ information.

There are economic benefits to the movement, reports Money Canada.

“A report by BMO economist Robert Kavcic suggests that the `Buy Canadian’ trend could add as much as $10 billion annually to Canada’s economy. This shift in consumer behavior is not just patriotic — it’s becoming a meaningful source of stimulus for the Canadian economy. Kavcic estimates that a modest shift in spending toward Canadian goods could generate $6 billion in value. With more than half of Canadians saying they intend to buy Canadian-made products in response to the trade conflict with the U.S., the movement has become a potent economic force,” the article notes.

In the grocery aisle, the article continues, “the `Buy Canadian’ movement represents both a business opportunity and a chance to support local farmers and producers.” As well, the article adds, “with more Canadians choosing to buy local, it seems that the movement is not only reshaping how Canadians shop but also how they think about their role in the economy.”

The Toronto Star reports that Canadian chocolatier Purdys has made its products available in a Canadian grocery store for the first time in its 118-year history, all thanks to increased buy Canadian demand.

“Since about January, we really noticed … people either remembered that we are a Canadian brand and always have been or were interested in learning more about Canadian brands and how they could support Canadian companies through that uncertain time,” said Kriston Dean, vice-president of marketing and sales at Purdys, tells the Star.

“Their interest manifested in a more than 200 per cent increase in traffic to Purdys website and a whopping 300 per cent spike in searches about whether the brand is Canadian,” the article adds.

The CBC reports on a small farm business in Quebec has seen “a spike in sales” thanks to the movement.

The Agricola Co-operative Farm in Petite Nation, Que. “grows vegetables, herbs and cut flowers.” Sales were up more than 20 per cent over last year, the broadcaster reports.

“It’s a way of getting your groceries, but I think it’s also that idea of [how] community supported agriculture is also a way of participating a bit more directly in the local food system,” the farm’s Natalie Childs tells the CBC.

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As we glide along, waiting for things to be “normal” once again on the health front, it’s interesting to see the changes in how Canadians interact with restaurants.

Until very recently, restaurants were restricted to take out or delivery. Now we’re seeing them reopen, usually with limited seating, perhaps expanded patios, and so on. Things are still not back to where they were in early March, and may not be for a long time. Save with SPP took a look around the Internet to see what people are making of this.

There’s no question that the restrictions have been very, very tough on Canada’s restaurants, reports Retail Insider. Citing research from Restaurants Canada, the magazine reports that “seven out of 10 restaurants in the country are either worried or extremely worried that they won’t have enough liquidity to pay vendors, rent and other expenses over the next three months.”

While the many restaurants still open “for takeout and delivery have demonstrated an exceptional level of responsiveness and innovation while continuing to ensure the health and safety of their staff and everyone they serve,” notes Restaurants Canada’s Shannon Munro in the article, their efforts may not be enough to stave off “insufficient cash flow and insurmountable debt.”

Some provinces are realizing that restaurants have been placed in a very tough spot. In Ontario, reports CTV News, provincial officials plan to get rid of the usual red tape so that it is easy for restaurants and bars to expand their patios, so long as social distancing rules are accommodated.

“We want to make sure we get rid of as much red tape and as much cost as possible to allow people to serve their patrons,” Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey tells CTV.

Many jurisdictions that previously restricted or prohibited alcohol delivery and take-out (the latter is known as off-sales in Western Canada) have dropped those rules. In Ontario, Blog TO reports that Premier Doug Ford is considering making alcohol delivery and takeout from restaurants a permanent thing – one that benefits restaurants. “There’s going to be a lot of things, as we say, the new way of doing business — and not only in government, but in the private sector, too,” Ford states in the article.

If there’s a takeaway from all of this, it is the need to support our local businesses as much as we can during a very tough period. Besides ordering for yourself, another great idea is to get gift cards from restaurants to give out as presents to friends and family. Like other parts of the economy that have been slammed by this healthcare crisis, every dollar we spend on local dining helps a local business to stay afloat until better times return.

While you can’t buy gift cards for the Saskatchewan Pension Plan, you do have a lot of flexibility as to how you can contribute. With SPP, you can either set the plan up as a bill and contribute via online banking, can set up direct deposit from your chequing account, or you can use SPP’s online form to contribute via your credit card. Check them out today!

Written by Martin Biefer
	Martin Biefer is Senior Pension Writer at Avery & Kerr Communications in Nepean, Ontario. A veteran reporter, editor and pension communicator, he’s now a freelancer. Interests include golf, line dancing and classic rock. He and his wife live with their Shelties, Duncan and Phoebe, and cat, Toobins. You can follow him on Twitter – his handle is @AveryKerr22