Canadian businesses enjoying boost in sales thanks to tariff threats, annexation talk

Darius Campeau is coming off one of his biggest months of sales ever, and he attributes it all to U.S. President Donald Trump calling Canada the "51st state."

"As soon as that famous saying came out, all of a sudden we started getting calls, we started getting emails. People really wanted to make sure what they're buying was Canadian, authentically Canadian, not just a flag put onto it," he said. 

Campeau owns Ottawa Valley Meats, a business that prides itself on being 100 per cent Canadian, including their farmers, butchers and even the packaging they use. 

In February, the company experienced its second largest month in sales ever, with a 30 per cent increase in orders. 

"We've never had a month that big, so it's been a really successful month for us and local farms," he said. "It's actually like overshadowed everything."

Like Ottawa Valley Meats, other Canadian businesses have experienced a boost in sales thanks to both the U.S. tariff threat and the "Made In Canada" shopping movement. The boost comes as consumers become more aware of where their products come from and shift their shopping habits to support Canadian businesses. 

Campeau said he's seen a change in shopping patterns and online engagement as customers are now buying Canadian products with a sense of pride. 

"We're seeing a lot of Canadiana come out. People are really proud of the fact they're buying Canadian," he said. 

The company has also started giving out stickers showing a farmer in a plaid shirt with the slogan, "I want you to buy Canadian," a spoof on the famous American recruitment poster featuring Uncle Sam.

'Made in Canada'

Like Campeau, Brodie O'Connor, co-owner of Blondie Apparel, has also noticed a shift in shopping patterns. Since January, she's seen a 35 per cent increase in first-time orders.

The appeal for new customers? The fact that everything is designed and manufactured in Canada. 

"Even our tags are Canadians, so that's pretty exciting," Campeau said. 

Another possible reason for the sales increase: Blondie Apparel's limited-edition "Made in Canada" crewnecks that launched in January.

"We figured it would be popular, but we didn't realize it would be quite that popular," she said. "The reaction has been crazy. People really loved it."

The collection sold out quickly — 130 sweaters in two days, necessitating a relaunch.   

Feeling Canadian support

Gloria Van Wort, owner of Glorified By Society, a Canadian non-toxic home fragrance brand, is also seeing products fly off the shelves. Since January, she's noted a 20 per cent increase in sales, and her candle-making classes are sold out until April.

"It's been incredible," she said. "It's definitely a lot of work, but the support that the local community has thrown behind me has been absolutely incredible." 

Since December, Van Wort's business has taken off so much that she's put her house up for sale to expand it.  

"We're packed to the rafters here," she said. "I'm very fortunate that I have outgrown this space, so we're going to be building a house and that's going to have a bigger garage and a bigger basement so that we'll have more room for more supplies."

She's also noticed a shift in shopping patterns as customers switch from large American beauty companies to smaller Canadian brands like hers.

"I'm very thankful that people have really rallied behind Canadian businesses and thrown all of their support into shopping local, because if it weren't for the customers, this brand wouldn't exist," she said.