“Canada is a country whose pulse quickens with creativity.” — David Suzuki
Now more than ever, Canadians are seeking out Canadian brands – from the grocery store aisles to service providers. There are many factors that go into what makes a brand quintessentially Canadian. Canadians are discerning when it comes to who they are going to give their hard-earned dollars to.
But what makes a brand truly Canadian? The simple answer is: that it’s a brand that’s based in Canada, but we all know that there are other factors that make a company desirable to consumers.
Why Choose Canadian? What Makes a Canadian Brand Stand Out?
- Supporting the Local Economy
Buying Canadian brands and utilizing Canadian services keeps money circulating within the country, supporting jobs and contributing to local economic growth.
According to the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), every $1 million spent on Canadian manufacturing creates approximately 13 to 15 direct and indirect jobs in the country.
Small- and medium-sized businesses account for over 68% of private sector employment in Canada, according to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
- Environmental Sustainability
Canadian brands often emphasize eco-friendly practices, and buying locally reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance shipping.
Importing goods from overseas contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. For example, shipping a container from Asia to Canada emits approximately 2,000–4,000 kg of CO₂, depending on the distance and shipping method (Government of Canada – Environment and Climate Change).
In contrast, locally produced goods often travel less than 200 km to reach consumers, drastically cutting transportation-related emissions.
- Trust and Quality Assurance
Canada has rigorous standards when it comes to safety, quality, and ethical business practices. Families are more likely to trust brands such as Maple Leaf Foods or PC Organics, knowing that these products comply with national health and safety regulations.
- Cultural Relevance and Climate-Ready Products
Canadian companies understand the unique needs of Canadian consumers. Brands like Mackage and Arc’teryx are designed to handle the extremes of Canadian weather, providing functionality and style that international brands may overlook.
- Convenience and Better Customer Service
Shopping Canadian often means faster shipping, no customs delays, and customer service that understands local needs.
- Corporate Social Responsibility
Many Canadian consumers care about how products are made and who makes them. They also care about service providers in the same manner.
Supporting Indigenous-owned businesses that emphasize equity, sustainability, and community impact is increasingly important. Businesses that prioritize Canadian suppliers often align themselves with values their customers share.
Staff Shop is an Indigenous and woman-owned business, recognized as a diverse supplier by many national and international organizations.
- National Pride and Identity
Finally, there’s the simple fact that we as Canadians love our country. We look to support businesses that reflect our unique values.
All of these reasons are factors in what makes a brand truly Canadian.
Canadian Brands with Corporate Values
Canadians look to our business communities to be a shining example in the world. For some, this means embracing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. This can also mean that the brand supports local causes and events. Many Canadians want to see that the brand gives back to the communities it serves.
As an Indigenous founder and CEO, Jennifer Ménard-Shand runs not one, but two businesses. Staff Shop is a Canadian service provider, connecting many other businesses with staffing solutions to suit their unique needs. Staff Shop’s team is always giving back, volunteering and getting involved in local charities and organizations.
This is reflected in Staff Shop’s 2025 Battle Cry:
Let’s honour the value of our gifts and answer the calls on our lives. Let’s be graciously accountable for our actions and their consequences. Let’s be excited for opportunities to make a meaningful difference as we discern and trust the next right move.
Let’s build legacies worth following because it’s the right thing to do in honour of our ancestors who sacrificed for our benefit. Set your hearts on being the founders and stewards of an enduring company – a purpose-driven business that will continue to have a transformative impact on people, communities, and this world long after our tenure.
Let our growing targets drive and inspire us. Let’s rally to prevail and never give up. The work is endless, and that’s a blessing. Find rest in it. Find joy in it. Play your position well. As founder & CEO, I vow to be faithful, inspiring, optimistic and grateful for the journey and responsibility – no matter what storms await.
Let’s ride together for those many moons from now who will thank the founders of Staff Shop for employment opportunities, a thriving economy, healthy families, and so much more.
Jennifer’s other business is FireFlames, her hot sauce brand serving health-conscious spice lovers. Read more about the FireFlames story on our previous blog.
Staff Shop Recommends
I asked the Staff Shop team to share their favourite Canadian brands and why they love them. Use this list as a guide to discover (or rediscover) some of our nation’s best products and services. You’re going to want to bookmark some of these, if not all!
“Shopify is a great Canadian brand supporting other brands worldwide. Shopify’s value proposition is essentially a promise that it provides everything merchants need to run their online business on a single platform. This includes creating an e-commerce website, finding customers, driving sales, and managing day-to-day operations. In short, Shopify helps businesses of all sizes start, grow, and manage their online presence.” — Founder and CEO, Jennifer Ménard-Shand
“I love buying skincare products from The Ordinary. It’s great to support a Canadian company from Toronto, but I really appreciate their straightforward approach to skincare. They skip the confusing marketing and just focus on science-backed ingredients that work. They have honest and reasonable prices, which helped me build a routine I love without spending a fortune.” — COO, Alison “Ali” Hernández
“As society becomes more conscious of the cosmetics industry and the impact of harsh chemicals, both on our bodies and the environment, we’re witnessing a welcome shift toward organic, minimalist products. The “less is more” philosophy perfectly captures the essence of this skincare line, which is rooted in truly Canadian values.
I’ve been using The Tallowed Truth F-Balm as my daily moisturizer for the past three months, and I absolutely love it. With just a few clean, nourishing ingredients, it leaves my skin feeling hydrated, balanced, and healthy. It’s simple, effective, and a product I feel genuinely good about using.” — Staffing Manager, Teodora Brandabur
“As a new puppy parent, finding a brand I trust was really important to me, and Open Farm has been fantastic. I love that they are proudly Canadian and committed to ethical sourcing and transparent ingredients for their pet food. It’s a brand I feel great supporting, knowing I’m giving my puppy high-quality food while also backing a Canadian company.” — General Manager, Staffing Services, Chantal Porter
“I’d like to share Slurp Mix! They’re a local company, making premium ready-to-mix cocktail mixes with all natural ingredients. I ordered for the first time a couple of weeks ago for a bridal shower, and it was a hit! They can be mixed with either alcohol, soda, sparkling water or anything else for those who prefer a virgin drink option that’s still exciting. They have some unique options like Hibiscus Ginger Lemonade (my personal favourite), Pomegranate Mojito, Grapefruit & Mint, as well as classics like Spicy Jalapeno, and Lime Margarita.Their site lists some drink recipes as well for those who need some ideas! I’m very health conscious, so all natural drink options were great! Their customer service is amazing as well, which is important to me when shopping local.” — Search Consultant, Kirisa Alexander
“Swiss Chalet is a favourite Canadian brand of mine, for a couple of reasons. One, I love the food – it’s consistent and fairly priced, and, second, they gave my mom employment as a teenager when she was contributing to a single parent household as my grandmother struggled to successfully raise six children.” — Director, Search Solutions, Adrian Brown
“Peace Collective represents the heart of modern Canadian culture. I love how they blend fashion with purpose—each purchase supports Canadian communities and mental health initiatives. Their designs are stylish and proudly Canadian.” — Chief Administrator, Mohammad Alqroum
Join Us or Hire Us
Staff Shop, as we’ve mentioned, is a Canadian, Indigenous, woman-owned service provider. We provide staffing solutions for other businesses, targeting several key sectors. We serve clients across North America and the Caribbean – with our Canadian values shining through. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
“Canadian entrepreneurs are gutsy, creative, and humble. We don’t often shout about our successes—but we should.” — Arlene Dickenson
