Ever since U.S. President Donald Trump threatened tariffs, along with making Canada the 51st state, some Canadians have been making a conscious move to not buy American products.
A new Angus Reid survey has found that 78 per cent of those polled plan to buy more Canadian goods.
The trend is also prominent here in Saskatchewan.
Nothing could be more Canadian than the Maple Leaf flying from a hockey stick. Canadian flags are popping up all over Regina.
Lee Robertson is a homeowner who has his yard lit up in red and white.
“It’s just to show the support for the Canadian businesses and for Canadian companies against all that’s going on,” he said.
It goes beyond waving the flag. The Trump tariff threat has Canadians fighting back economically. A new Angus Reid survey has found that 76 per cent of Saskatchewan residents plan to buy more Canadian products. Half are boycotting American made goods altogether.
Nearly as many are delaying or cancelling U.S. travel. Also, 38 per cent plan to use Amazon less and 13 per cent are cancelling U.S. streaming services.
Only 19 per cent plan to do none of these compared to the national average of 15 per cent. The chef at Tommy’s Speakeatery is primarily purchasing Canadian products.
“All our pork, chicken, beef, all that’s Canadian. All of our cheese is Canadian,” explained executive chef Evan Thompson. “We are having a bit of a tough time with our vegetables because it hits -50 C most of the time here in the winter, but yeah, we’re hoping to switch to Mexican products.”
It’s a reflection of customer expectations.
“That’s sort of what’s great about this whole Canadian movement is that it’s almost organic. We didn’t need to be told what to do. Everyone is jut automatic, ‘Okay, support Canada,’” said Troy Bleich, the manager of Tommy’s Speakeatery.
Nowhere has support for Canada peaked higher than in sports and the Four Nations Face Off hockey championship.
“Yeah, to heck with the 51st state stuff,” said radio host Jamie Nye. “It’s probably even bigger than the players imagined. On the ice, they’re just worried about representing Canada, but the fans have really grabbed onto this.
In the end, Canada was able win 3-2 after the game went into overtime.
U.S. President Trump’s tariff threats have forced Canadians to re-examine how they support their country. It has unleashed a new sense of patriotism that is expected to continue.
