You couldn't have picked a better week than the lead-up to Valentine's Day to galvanize a nation into falling in love with itself all over again. All it took was the latest disturbing gush of noise spewing out of the big bully south of the border, not least of which are tariffs real and threatened against our homegrown Canadian businesses and industries.
So it's been kind of a self-reciprocating Valentine lately—with love from us, to us—sent by Canadians from coast to coast to coast, including folks lucky enough to call Sea to Sky home.
"Buy Canadian!" proclaimed loud and clear is the new national anthem. And the "I am Canadian" Molson beer commercial featuring Jeff Douglas, a.k.a. Joe Canada, from 25 years ago is riding right on its coattails.
But the old anthem hasn't been forgotten. It was touching—inspiring, even—to see Jimmy Pattison display an iconic Canadian forest scene with just two giant words: "O Canada!" on all his huge digital billboards outside BC Place days before the hero-studded, star-studded Invictus Games Opening Ceremony.
And for all the Canadian participants, volunteers and spectators, five words in Prince Harry's opening remarks couldn't have resonated more: "Show the world your fearlessness…"
Indeed. In light of all the nastiness and arrogance blasting out of the White House—and let me remind us all it was British troops, not Canadians, who burned it down in the War of 1812, despite the current occupant of same spreading lies to the contrary—seems we Canucks are honing our fearlessness into action. At least we are when it comes to the cash register and local businesses, especially the small ones.
According to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 99.7 per cent of all employer businesses in Canada are small- to medium-sized enterprises, employing 500 or fewer people, and ones employing fewer than 100 folks make up the lion's share of those.
It's small businesses that benefit the most when we search out the red maple leaf and buy those "Product of Canada" or "Made in Canada" goods. It can be complicated (there's help, below), but in a nutshell, if it's labelled "Product of Canada" at least 98 per cent of the total direct costs of producing the item were incurred in Canada. "Made in Canada" means direct costs incurred in Canada—for ingredients, labour or whatever—are 51 to less than 98 per cent. Our intrepid public broadcaster, CBC, has a great explainer on all this.
Then there all those helpful signs in stores springing up like new sprouts to guide us to all things local or Canadian-made. At Whistler, pretty much all the grocery stores have had signs along those lines, especially since COVID struck, but Don Gourlie at Creekside Market and the Fresh Street managers seem to be going the extra mile during Trump 2.0.
How to show your true Canadian love
Some of us have been reading labels and going Canadian AMAP (as much as possible) for years. Some of us are just starting to dip our toes into those great northern patriotic waters. Either way, or somewhere in between, the push to support local businesses has never been greater, or the complications more challenging. Like Windset Farms, growers of great greenhouse produce that's at least partially sustainable, is based in Delta, B.C., where it operates on 92 acres. They also partner with growers in Mexico and operate 168 acres in California, but at least they label accordingly.
To help us navigate these often-fraught waters, great not-for-profit resources like these have sprung up. Consider donating if you appreciate them:
• Made in CA: Detailed and well-organized, this is a super, comprehensive "Made in Canada" grocery guide—food, cleaning supplies, the works.
• Buy Canadian First: When he realized lists of "Buy Canadian" products weren't always accurate, Vernon, B.C., resident Fred Nelson started this Facebook site so people can add their own examples. You’ll also find other cool posts, like the one calling for a Tesla boycott, and a link to Pete McMartin’s great Vancouver Sun column bidding America bye-bye.
• Buy Beaver (formerly Is It from Canada?): Check out this cool site started by two techies in Montreal just weeks ago. You can scan QR codes on labels with your phone and get way more detail, and check out products others have scanned and posted. Sea to Sky producers—post your products here!
• Open Food Facts: If you're concerned, like some of us, that this all might be getting a tad jingoistic on our part, you'll like this site, which inspired Buy Beaver. Made "by everyone for everyone," it aims to increase food transparency worldwide.
Go Sea to Sky or go home
Besides supporting all the wonderful farmers from Pemberton to Squamish (some of their root veggies are available year-round), every time you buy local, you're helping one more neighbour and adding one more stick to the White House fire. BTW, according to CBC News, we are making a (retail) difference!
So let's go, fearless local Canadian shoppers!
But first, a big Canadian "thank you!" to Cheeying Ho, Leslie Anthony, Stella Harvey, Clinton Small, Anita Webster and all the other intrepid Pique readers for your great ideas and tips. I'll follow them up more in the future, but for now here's a small taste of loyal Pique-ers' favourites, all made or based in beautiful Whistler:
Whistler Chocolate—for Valentine's Day! Organic, fair trade.
Danji Kimchi—authentically Korean.
Disston’s Dumplings—and sauces. Delicious.
Lucia Gelato—fresh and natural.
Nonna Pia's gorgeous balsamic glazes and sauces.
Slopeside Coffee Roasting for great locally-roasted coffee.
Granola from Cranked Espresso Bar or Purebread Bakery (along with their wonderful baked goods)
Vessel Refillery, a locally-owned low/little-waste company that stocks and delivers all-Canadian household cleaning and personal hygiene products.
Glenda Bartosh is an award-winning journalist who looks forward to everyone being more neighbourly again.
