If you want to buy Canadian, the label is your best friend. But Canadian origin claims come in several flavours, and they don't all mean the same thing. Here's how to read them like a pro.
"Product of Canada"
This is the strongest claim. According to the Competition Bureau of Canada, a product can generally be called a Product of Canada when:
- at least 98% of the total direct costs of producing or manufacturing it were incurred in Canada, and
- the last substantial transformation of the product happened in Canada.
In other words, it's almost entirely Canadian.
"Made in Canada"
This claim is a little looser. A product can generally be labelled Made in Canada when:
- at least 51% of the total direct costs were incurred in Canada,
- the last substantial transformation happened in Canada, and
- the claim includes a qualifying statement, such as "Made in Canada with imported parts" or "Made in Canada from domestic and imported materials."
So a Made in Canada product is meaningfully Canadian, but some of its parts or materials may come from elsewhere.
Other claims you'll see
- "Designed in Canada": the design work happened here, but the product may be made elsewhere.
- "Assembled in Canada": the final assembly happened here, often from imported parts.
- "Canadian-owned" or "Canadian company": the business is Canadian, which supports Canadian jobs, but it doesn't tell you where the product was made.
- "Imported by" or "Distributed by" with a Canadian address: this only tells you who brought the product into Canada, not where it was made.
Food is a little different
Food labels follow their own rules, set by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). If you're shopping for food gifts, check the CFIA's guidance on Product of Canada and Made in Canada claims for food.
A few tips for label-reading
- Look for the qualifier. "Made in Canada with imported parts" is honest and still supports Canadian manufacturing.
- Don't assume a missing claim means imported. Origin claims are often optional, and many Canadian-made items don't carry one.
- Check the maker's story. Small Canadian makers often share where and how their products are made on the product page.
- Ask the seller. A good retailer will tell you where a product comes from.
Why it matters
Since 8 September 2026, many goods made in the United States face a Canadian surtax, which can raise their prices. Knowing where something was made helps you understand what you're paying for, and helps you support Canadian makers when that matters to you. Read more in Does Shopping Canadian Save You Money?
How we label products at True North Treasures
Every order we sell ships from inside Canada, but not every product is made here, and we think you deserve to know the difference. Our Designed in Canada collection gathers products made or designed by Canadian makers, like ornaments handmade from Nova Scotia beach sand, cutting boards handmade in Quebec and puzzles designed by Canadian artists. Have a question about where something was made? Just ask us.
This article is general information. For the official rules, see the Competition Bureau of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.