The latest round of U.S.-Canada trade tensions has reignited a familiar rallying cry across BC and the country: Buy Canadian. Support Local. From government officials to grassroots movements, the message is clear—let’s keep our dollars at home. But in the rush to embrace economic nationalism, we risk oversimplifying a far more complex reality.
For many Canadian businesses, “buying local” is not a binary choice. It is a balancing act. The independent bookstore that prides itself on stocking Canadian authors still often relies on American distributors. The neighbourhood bistro that sources its produce from Cowichan farmers might also pour Napa Valley wines. The Canadian employee working at a multinational retailer is, at the end of the day, still a Canadian worker.
The Interwoven Economies of Canada and the U.S.
The United States is Canada’s largest trading partner, and for good reason. Our economies have been deeply integrated for decades, shaped by geography, trade agreements, and consumer habits. Even businesses that are wholly Canadian-owned may rely on American goods or supply chains. When tariffs are imposed or trade policies shift, the impact is not just felt in boardrooms—it ripples through local businesses, small manufacturers, and the very communities calling for economic protectionism.
And yet, while economic interdependence is a fact, so too is the need for resilience. Calls to buy local tap into something real: a collective desire to strengthen domestic industries, create stable jobs, and foster a sense of economic independence. But that doesn’t have to mean shutting out cross-border trade. The challenge is not to retreat into economic isolationism but to invest in a sustainable, long-term strategy for local growth without alienating Canadian businesses that still depend on American products.
Rather than turning trade wars into consumer wars, we need a more nuanced approach to economic solidarity. Supporting local businesses means recognizing that supply chains take time to shift and that a business’s value to the community is more than just the origin of its inventory. Here is a short list of ways you can help support Cowichan businesses navigating these challenging times:
- Prioritize Canadian-Owned Businesses—Even if They Carry American Products
- A Canadian-run hardware store that stocks American tools is not the same as an American chain profiting from Canadian consumers. Spending money at the former keeps profits circulating within the country, supports local employment, and ensures taxes stay within the community.
- Reward Businesses Transitioning to Local Sourcing
- Rather than punishing businesses for having American stock, consumers can encourage a gradual shift toward more Canadian products. Asking a restaurant if they plan to source more local wines or a retailer if they have Canadian-made alternatives signals demand without imposing an unrealistic immediate expectation.
- Advocate for Policy Changes That Support Canadian Producers
- Government incentives for Canadian manufacturing, farming, and technology will do more to strengthen local supply chains than any consumer boycott ever could. Supporting policies that encourage local production helps businesses make the shift organically rather than out of necessity.
- Recognize That Supporting Local Also Means Supporting Workers
- A Canadian employed at Walmart or an American-owned factory is still a Canadian worker contributing to the economy. If we focus solely on ownership, we risk overlooking the people whose livelihoods depend on these jobs. The goal should not be exclusion but empowerment—advocating for better labour protections, wages, and opportunities across all sectors.
Yes, AND: Highlighting Island Good’s Approach to Buying Local
A recent Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) podcast interview on CBC explored this very topic, highlighting the Island Good initiative—an effort to make it easier for consumers to identify and support products made on Vancouver Island. Island Good works within existing supply chains rather than against them, focusing on strengthening local production while recognizing that regional businesses may still rely on external suppliers.
The Island Good label has already helped local producers increase sales by making it easier for consumers to spot local goods in grocery stores and markets. It’s an example of how supporting local doesn’t have to be rigid or exclusionary—it can be about empowering consumers with better choices while helping businesses transition toward greater local sustainability over time.
If the ultimate goal of the Buy Local movement is to foster a thriving, self-sustaining Canadian economy, then its approach should evolve beyond reactionary trade-war responses. Supporting Canadian businesses should be a long-term commitment, not a short-term retaliation. The emphasis should be on creating the conditions for local industries to grow, rather than punishing those still reliant on American goods.
Economic resilience is not about shutting out global trade—it is about ensuring that, when the next tariff, dispute, or economic shock arises, Canada is better positioned to navigate it. That means thinking beyond the slogan and embracing a more strategic, inclusive vision of what it truly means to support local.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be diving deeper into what “Buy Local” looks like on the ground here in Cowichan—highlighting local businesses, unpacking supply chain realities, and exploring how communities are balancing local values with global connections. Stay tuned as we rethink what local means, one story at a time.
