THE TRUE COST OF BUYING CANADIAN

 After a 25% tariff on Canadian exports and a strong "Buy American" campaign, Canada initiated similar movements, adding a tariff of ....% to American imports and encouraging Canadians to "buy local." While these "buy local" movements appear to promote national independence, a critical question often goes unaddressed: At whose expense, and with what resources, are Canadians expected to "buy Canadian"?

We understand the various processes in place to protect Canadian workers, including tax cuts for the middle class and other supportive measures. However, it's important to ask: Is every Canadian part of the working class? Is everyone, regardless of age or pre-retirement status, or even current income, able to afford to "buy Canadian?" As a Canadian who has personally faced criticism, and discrimination for not "wearing Canadian" – While I often before even knowing where an item was made, consider cost and budget.

In a recent trip to Italy, it seemed everyone was trying too hard to showcase their "Made in Canada" clothing. While national pride is understandable, this trend has long since spiraled out of control.

Products that struggle to compete with market prices or those of other countries are seemingly using these "buy local" campaigns and propaganda to target consumers and gain more profits within Canada through an "elbows up" mentality which it doesn't seem is purely related to national pride .

The crucial question remains: Who is bearing the additional costs if we are effectively compelled to purchase these goods? And what percentage of Canadians, given their limited budgets, are truly able to prioritize Canadian products over other, more affordable options?