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What happens when you successfully complete an exam? Well usually it is said that you "passed with flying colors" and this company has passed over and over again in their 97 years of business! Flying Colours International was established as Scythes and Company Ltd. in 1910 but was rebranded as Flying Colours International in 2001. This move was to portray a more accurate vision of what the company was all about: Image and attention. Visually the name evokes images of colour and motion which is right on the mark when one thinks of a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of flags, banners and custom graphic displays.

FCI is proud of their high quality products with a customer service to match, their attention to detail is without comparison and they are committed to deliver the RIGHT product at the RIGHT time for the Right price. Their corporate values can be spelled out in one word: Spirit.

S - - Service and Solutions
P - - Perseverance
I - - Integrity
R - - Respect
I - - Innovation
T - - Teamwork

Flying Colours International is Canada's largest flag manufacturer. In fact they are the supplier of choice for the Federal Government, some provincial governments and municipalities. FCI have also proudly supplied the United Nation, the Olympic games, and many other valued events and businesses.

Flying Colours International offers a wide selection of flags (from desktop flags to twenty foot flags) that include: Canada flags, provinces and territories flags, international flags, military flags, religious flags, code and signal flags and novelty flags. They also create street banners, signs, and custom pieces.

I called FCI to inquire about their custom flags. I noticed that client relationship was important by how I was treated on the phone. The gentleman on the line was friendly, approachable and happily answered all my questions. I discovered that for a reasonable price of about $100 -$200 you can create your own flag. Think of the possibilities! I could create a family flag and we could become an enclave, of course only figuratively as it is terribly silly and inconvenient to become a sovereign state. All joking aside, I truly enjoyed my conversation with FCI and felt at ease asking several questions. A family flag is not only a fabulous idea as well as a future treasured heirloom. For more flag information and proper flag etiquette) visit the flag flying facts page.

Dear Canada,

What can we give a country that has everything? Water’s coming out of your ears, and oil too (as soon as prices go back up!). You have more culture and diversity that should be allowed, not to mention national treasures such as Rick Mercer! You are so hard to shop for!

I know, how about some unabashed love? Something warm & fuzzy that will carry you all year long? Here are my top 8 favorite odes to you Canada, in no particular order:

Enjoy!

1) My son’s favorite jingle

2) Cool claymation

3) Crafty dominoes

4) Rick Mercer

5) It’s hip to be Canadian

6) Anthem animation

7) A classic

8) Short & sweet

With much love,

Isabelle & family

Image source: Sunset Harbour

Our very own Isabelle Remy will be on TV Monday June 29th and then on Tuesday, June 30th. We really could not have wished for better timing, with Canada Day 'n all. We are jumping for joy over here.

Isabelle's first stop is at the ATV studios in Ottawa for a sit down on the 'A' Morning show around 6:50 am ET. Unfortunately, unless you live in Ottawa or have satellite TV, you won't be able to see it (I wish we could here in Dorval because I really like Bill Welychka. I remember him well from the old Much Music gang, circa 1995). We will try to get a digital copy of the interview for a follow-up post.

Her second stop is at Canada AM in Toronto, Tuesday morning to record a segment that will air during the Thursday July 2nd show (between 6:00 am and 9:00 am ET. This appearance will be a dream come true for Isabelle. I share an office with her and on her bulletin board is a picture of Seamus O'Regan (David Suzuki is on mine). Isabelle is a huge fan of the show and watches it pretty much every morning before coming to work. What she likes so much about Seamus is how proud he is to be Canadian and how he takes a special interest in Canadian companies and products. As soon as we started this business, she declared that one day she would be on Canada AM, hopefully being interviewed by Seamus. Well my dear, that day has come... I'm so proud of her for having stuck to her goal and to never have given up (she must have written to them a half-dozen times).

Isabelle and our office mascot - named Seamus.

We hope that you will tune in and watch (or set your PVRs). Those who do will see Isabelle ahowcasing Canadian-made products that will be up for grabs in our biggest giveaway yet. Hint hint (you should really watch if you want to know what the dealio is ;-) 

These appearances will be a turning point for Buy Canadian First. I can feel it!

Image sources: 'A' Morning Ottawa, Canada AM, John Kenney - The Montreal Gazette

Author: Melissa Thibodeau 

This is what being Canadian means to me
In November of 2004 Canada Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) announced the winner of the greatest Canadian contest. Who was it that received 1.2 million votes? Was a political leader or a hockey legend? Perhaps it was a scientist or an athlete? All of these persons were voted into the top ten but the winner was politician Tommy Douglas, an unwavering socialist and the Father of universal healthcare - he was also Keifer Sutherland's Grandfather.

Maybe this is also a comment about Canada's patriotism. If we break it down to the bare bones, Canada is a multicultural country, with deep roots from three distinct heritages and has two official languages. With all these ‘cooks in the kitchen' it would be hard to put our country into a cookie cutter style of patriotism. That doesn't mean we don't have our own beloved Canadianisms: the industrious beaver, Ogopogo, the Nanaimo bar, 3 downs in the CFL, we sit on a chesterfield, poutine, inukshuks, narwhals, sasquatches, expo 67, toques, beer, hockey, Bob and Doug, Wayne Gretzky, Team Canada, sugar shacks and the RCMP. Icons and symbolisms we gaze at with affection and get goose-bumps and recognize as distinctly Canadian. I think the reason why we don't commit the same acts of patriotism like our southern neighbours is simply because it's not our style. Our quiet adoration for this vast country is no lesser a demonstration than the loud sis boom bah's of other countries. We are just more accepting of people's own definitions of what Canada means to them. Maybe I am being naïve but Canada to me is a safe haven for everyone to be what and who they are and that is why I celebrate being a Canadian, that is why, to me, Canada is worth protecting and that is why I love being Canadian. 

This Canada Day go out and celebrate what makes Canada special for you and embrace what it means for others.

Canada day celebrations: A link-a-thon (check back for additions to the event list)

British Columbia
Langley: McLeod Athletic Park Surrey: CloverdaleMillenium Amphitheatre Victoria: Legislative Grounds  Kelowna: Various locations North Bay: Waterfront A.C.T Grandville Island: Various locations

Alberta 
Banff: Various locations Calgary: Fort Calgary,  Prince's Island Park, Heritage Park, Calaway Park Edmonton: Various locations

Saskatchewan
Regina: Various locations Saskatoon: Various locations Moose Jaw: Exhibition Grounds

Manitoba 
Winkler: Main and mountain, Winnipeg: The Forks, Assiniboine Park 

Ontario
Canada Day website for Ontario: Locations all across Ontario Toronto: Mel Lastman Square, Queens Park Brantford: Various locations Ottawa:  Various locations

Quebec 
Canada Day website for Montreal: Tourism Montreal

New Brunswick  
Saint John: Various locations Sackville: Various locations 

Nova Scotia 
Halifax/Dartmouth: Various Locations Bridgetown, Middleton, Port Lorne, Laurencetown: Various locations

Prince Edward Island 
Canada Day website for PEI: Various location throughout province

Newfoundland and Labrador
Lewisport: Various locations Eastport: Beaches Heritage center Grand Falls/Windsor: Various locations South Brook: Kona beach St. John's: Various locations

Territories
Nunavut: Iqaluit Canada Day website for the Yukon: Various locations Canada Day website for the Northwest Territories: Various locations

Happy 142nd Birthday Canada! We love you♥ 

What does being Canadian mean to you? Tell us below and your are automatically eligible to win a very special prize pack... Our biggest yet. Details to follow. 

Image sources:  Flickr phoosh, andrea willowcat, flickrnikki_tate

Last week, while out for a long overdue lunch with my mom, I had a rhubarb crisp for dessert. Susie of the Jasmine Tea room in Altona, Manitoba had made it that morning with local rhubarb and served it with vanilla ice cream. I swear it was like nibbling on summertime. This first taste of local food has made me excited for the local produce available in my region and hopefully my garden too (keep your fingers crossed).

As we journey through our beautiful vast country we have not been disappointed by the selection of foods available to Canadians (read our other posts on local foods available in British Columbia & Yukon, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Maritimes). We are half way through our local foods cross country adventure; let's see all the delicious treats Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador have to offer.

  

Quebec
Quebec not only has local foods but it has foods available year-round, foods like cheeses, milk, eggs, flour, seafood and charcuterie (cured meats) to name a few. The region around Montreal has some of the richest black earth in northeastern North America, and 90% of Quebec's growers are within a 60Km radius of the city.

Le Marché du Vieux-Port  of Québec city open daily may to Christmas and then Thursdays through Sunday the rest of the year. This market gives you delights like cheese, foie gras and pates, cranberries, maple products, rabbit meat, fruits vegetables and so much more. This market mirrors rural life even though you never actually leave the city.

Pomme en Fête is available from March to December and located in the Lower Laurentian region of Quebec, about 45 minutes north of Montreal. This is where you can stroll between 40 farms, orchards, vineyards and other businesses involved with agri-tourism. You will also find some pick your own farms as well. There are several kinds of apples grown in this region and here is their harvest calendar.

Quebec boasts an impressive choice of organic foods: beef, goose, bison, goat, chicken, turkey, and even ostrich, eggs, grains, milk, fruit, vegetables, maple product and medicinal herbs. To find an organic producer in your region just use  Transformation Alimentaire Quebec's handy search engine.

Montreal's main Farmers markets are the Jean Talon Market, the Atwater Market and Place Faubourg. Learn about them here. There are many other markets and stands around town and on the outskirts as the agriculture around Montreal is vast and rich.

Finally, do not forget to read this website in detail: Équiterre. This organization is building a social movement by encouraging individuals, organizations and governments to make ecological and equitable choices, in a spirit of solidarity. They have lots of resources and ideas not only for local food but for a sustainable lifestyles as well.

Newfoundland and Labrador

I am sure this is a sentiment that Newfoundlanders are tired of hearing but they certainly do have some interesting location names. Wordplay.com has a humourous list some of my favourites are: Ha Ha Bay, Bumble Bee Bight, Bad Bay, Bacon Cove, Traytown and Harbour Harbour. This unique style of naming didn't stop with locations as some of their culinary staples are also exceptionally named: Brewis(hard bread), Jigs Dinner(traditional meat and potato dish), Lassy Mogs and Figgy Duff(pudding). One thing for sure, fish and seafood are main staples, specifically Codfish. Other local goodies include Pease Pudding - which is made of yellow split peas, Bakeapples Preserves, moose meat, and others.

Lester's Farmers market is a 150 year old tradition located on Lester's Farm near St. John's. Along with the market there is a petting barn, corn maze, a pumpkin festival and a U-pick strawberry patch. Open Daily from 10 a.m to 6 p.m.

After a wonderful first year, the St. John's Farmers Market will be open once again. Open for the 2009 season since June 6th every Saturday until November, when the hours will change to 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. 

Cormack's Farmer's Market located in Deer Lake (western Newfoundland) has all the ingredients of a lush farmers market including fresh cream and butter. Open daily June - August from 9 a.m to 8 p.m. offer.

Riverbrook Farms Country Market, in Corner Brook is one of the largest vegetable farms on the west coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. Open: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m, Monday to Saturday; 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays (June to December).

Canada is certainly one tasty country! Don't forget to leave a comment of your favourite local food, market or recipe, we love hearing from you!

Image sources: Flickr TyeGuyII, Max Shepp, Transformation alimentaire Quebec,  St. Johns  Farmers market

La semaine dernière, j'ai dîné avec ma mère au Jasmin Tea Room à Altona, au Manitoba. Pour dessert, je me suis laissée tenter par une belle pointe de tarte à la rhubarbe avec de la crème glacée à la vanille, préparée le matin-même par la propriétaire, Susie, à partir de rhubarbe récoltée localement. Cette combinaison, pour moi, c'est comme prendre une bouchée dans l'été!

Cette première dégustation d'aliments locaux me fait rêver aux fruits et légumes qui seront bientôt disponibles dans ma région, et me laisse espérer une excellente récolte dans mon propre jardin (croisons-nous les doigts!).

Comme nous voyageons à travers notre merveilleux pays à la découverte d'aliments locaux (voir nos billets précendent pour les aliments locaux de la Saskatchewan, la Colombie-Britannique & Yukon, les maritimes, le Manitoba - en anglais), notre aventure nous emmène maintenant aux plaisirs gastronomiques qu'offre le Québec, Terre-Neuve et le Labrador.

Québec
Le Québec a non seulement des fruits et légumes locaux, mais la province offre également d'autres produits du terroir tels que fromages, lait, œufs, farine, fruits de mer et charcuteries, disponibles tout au long de l'année. Le sol dans les environs de Montréal est parmi les plus riches en Amérique du Nord, et 90 % des cultivateurs Québécois sont situés dans un rayon de 60 km de la ville.

Le Marché du Vieux-Port de la ville de Québec est ouvert tous les jours de mai à Noël, et du jeudi au dimanche le reste de l'année. Vous y trouverez des fromages, du foie gras et des pâtés, des canneberges, des produits de l'érable, de la viande de lapin, des fruits et légumes, et tellement plus! Ce marché vous transporte à la campagne sans que vous n'ayez à quitter la ville.

L'événement Pomme en Fête se déroule de mars à décembre dans la région des Laurentides, à environ 45 minutes au nord de Montréal. Vous pouvez vous promener dans 40 fermes, vergers, vignobles et autres entreprises impliquées avec l'agrotourisme. Vous pouvez aussi y cueillir des fruits! De plus, il y a une très grande variété de pommes cultivées dans cette région. En voici leur période de récolte. 

Le Québec offre un choix impressionnant d'aliments biologiques; dont le boeuf, l'oie, le bison, la chèvre, le poulet, la dinde et même l'autruche, les oeufs, les grains, le lait, les fruits, les légumes, les produits de l'érable et les herbes médicinales. Pour trouver un producteur biologique dans votre région, consultez le moteur de recherche du site internet de Transformation Alimentaire Québec. 

Pour ce qui est des marchés à Montréal, il ne faut surtout pas manquer les incontournables comme le Marché Jean Talon et le Marché Atwater. Mais  il y a beaucoup plus de marchés dans la région, alors pourquoi ne pas en découvrir de nouveaux?

Finalement, n'oubliez pas de visiter le site Équiterre, qui s'est donné comme mission de "construire un mouvement social en encourageant des individus, des organisations et des gouvernements à faire des choix écologiques et équitables, dans un esprit de solidarité." Ce site regorge de ressources et d'idées intéressantes, non seulement au sujet des aliments locaux mais aussi en ce qui a trait aux styles de vie durables. 

Terre-neuve et Labrador
Je suis certaine que les habitants de Terre-Neuve sont fatigués de ce sujet de conversation, mais ils doivent avouer qu'ils ont des noms d'endroits vraiments intéressants... Le site Wordplay.com a compilé une liste de noms cocasses, et mes préférés sont; Ha Ha Bay, Bumble Bee Bight, Bad Bay, Bacon Cove, Traytown et Harbour Harbour. Cette habitude ne s'est pas arrêtée avec les noms d'endroits, mais s'applique aussi à certaines de leurs spécialités gastronomiques telles que: "Brewis" (le pain dur), le Dîner de Gigues (la viande traditionnelle et le plat de pomme de terre), "Lassy Mogs" et "Figgy Duff" (le pouding). Les poissons et fruits de mer, mais surtout la morue, sont très populaires dans cette région. D'autres spécialités locales incluent le "pease pouding" qui est fait de petits pois jaunes, les confitures de "bakeapple", la viande d'élan, etc. Plusieurs fruits et légumes récoltés localement sont aussi disponibles.

Le marché Lester's Farm est une tradition vieille de 150 ans, et a lieu sur la Ferme de Lester près de la ville de St. Johns. En plus du marché, il y a aussi une ferme pédagogique, un labyrinthe de maïs, un festival de citrouilles et un champ d'auto-cueillette de fraises. Ouvert tous les jours de 10 h à 18 h. (site web anglais seulement)

Après une première année couronnée de succès en 2008 le Marché de St. John's sera de retour pour 2009. De juin à novembre, ce marché est ouvert tous les samedis de 9 h  à 14 h.  (site web anglais seulement)

Le Marché de Cormack, situé dans la région de Deer Lake (Terre-Neuve occidentale), possède tous les atouts d'un marché luxuriant, incluant de la crème fraîche et du beurre. Ouvert tous les jours de juin à août, entre 9 h et 20 h. (site web anglais seulement)

Riverbrook Farms Country Market, dans la région de Corner Brook, est l'une des plus grandes fermes maraîchères sur la côte ouest de Terre-Neuve et Labrador. Heures d'ouverture (de juin à décembre): de 10 h à 20 h du lundi au samedi; et de 13 h à 18 h le dimanche. (site web anglais seulement)

Le Canada est définitivement un pays délicieux! N'oubliez pas de nous laisser un commentaire à propos de vos aliments locaux préférés, des marchés dans votre quartier ou encore de vos délicieuse recettes! Nous aimerions recevoir des vos nouvelles!

Photos: Flickr TyeGuyII, Max Shepp, Transformation alimentaire Quebec, La marché fermiers de St. Johns

It's that time of year again and Father's day is coming up, but what can we get him this year? Don't you worry as Buy Canadian First will take the stress of what to buy Dad this Father's Day.

The origin of Father's day began in the early 20th century when a woman from Washington State named Sonora Smart Dodd decided to honour her father, William Jackson Smart with a father's day, after listening to a Mother's Day sermon in church.  She approached the Spokane Ministerial Alliance and suggested a Father's Day be held and they agreed. They chose the 3rd Sunday in June. The first Father's Day was held June 19th 1910.

Sweet Tooth Dad
Dad will love this Dark chocolate covered caramel popcorn from David's. Fresh popped caramel popcorn covered in 100% pure Belgian dark chocolate... actually sweet tooth dad would adore any of David's products. See more products here.

Foodie Dad
Foodie dad, always nibbling on the tastiest of creations, will adore these Honey Glazes from Verry Berry Honey. Used for dipping and marinating or whatever his imagination dreams up.

Cool Dad
Maybe he rides a motorcycle or maybe he just always hangs out with the kids and they love it. Regardless, he is one super cool daddio. This stunning 100% Canadian-made leather Roots One Week Jacket will keep dad looking hip even though he's cool enough already!

Gardener Dad
Do you often feel if plants weren't rooted to the ground they would follow dad about the yard? Well if so then this Kerri-All Basket from the Garden Bandit will be fantastic. These baskets can display plants or magazines, wash fresh picked garden veggies and everything in between.

Lux Dad
A man of wealth and style, he is demure and retires to the salon in the evening to relax or take care of business and perhaps have a Scotch. These Single Malt Scotch glasses by Nova Scotian Crystal are a perfect choice for this dad. The glasses are designed to enhance the already divine. A wide bowl lets the aroma escape, a narrow neck channels the bouquet and a flared tip directs the precious liquid to just the right place on the tongue.

Dad is Looking Good
Skin care is for everyone including dad. Deodorant soaps and body washes are great for the body but no so much for the face. Dad may enjoy this Face Cleanser for Men by Vidoma soothing and gentle it is perfect for all skin types- even the really macho manly ones. Be quick, Vidoma will be closing its doors soon. 

Dad the Chef
Just like with any profession or hobby, the better the tools, the easier it is and these are tools for a dad who loves to cook, and it will certainly heat his griddle (ha). Paderno makes beautiful stainless steel cookware designed for precise heat control and durability. The Confederation line by Paderno comes with a 25 year warranty. Clearly a set of pans for our chef extraordinaire is not enough as we will need a bar-b-que from Napoleon Grills to cook with.

Grizzly Dad
He chops wood and makes the best campfires, he cooks a gourmet meal on open flames and plucks fish out of the water with his bare hands, or so it seems. Dad is an outdoorsman. But at the end of the day when the forest work is done this rugged papa will retire to the campfire. The comforting sway of a Bougainville Hammock from Kingcord and the strumming of Cedar Blue Cutaway Model Guitar by Art & Lutherie will complete the day and make everyone sing!

Each dad is unique and we couldn't possibly get all the dads out the in one post so if you don't see your dad here don't be discouraged. A gift for dad is waiting for you with one of Buy Canadian First's 174 members and all of their fabulous Canadian-made products. Happy Father's Day Canada. You dads are the best!

Buying locally. This, to me is very important. Especially since I started writing for BuyCanadianfirst.ca, I have been reading labels meticulously.  I am pleased to find that a lot of the items I have been purchasing are Canadian-made or grown.  Finding Saskatchewan-made and Saskatchewan-grown items are a little more difficult though but I put together this post to help you find such products hopefully.

First and foremost, for me, I find that the best locally-grown produce is what I can grow here at home, in my own soil. You should give it a try if you havent. It's really simple. If you need a guiding hand, I wrote a post this past winter on garden planning. this past winter. You can read it here. 

Summer is a bounty of harvest for me.  I eat all of my vegetables right from my own back yard. This past weekend, I just finished planting my garden (with the exception of tomatoes and peppers - it's still freezing here at night and they are tender plants). I am growing lettuce, spinach, onions, beans, peas, carrots, corn, cucumbers, dill herbs and potatoes. I am also growing zucchinis, strawberries and pumpkins. I cannot wait to taste the first lettuce and spinach and know that I have grown it - it gives me pride to know this. I also have asparagus that is starting to shoot up and rhubarb that is just about ready to be harvested for the first time. I planted 2 apple trees last year and hope that maybe this year we will see our first apples.  I also started cherry trees and Saskatoon berry bushes.

I'm very fortunate to live on land that has acreage and to be able to grow my own vegetables but this is not available to everyone. There are great sources for Saskatchewan products; you just need to know where to look. Here are a few of my favorites that I have found.

Farmer's markets are a great place to find locally grown produce, meat, fish, eggs, baking and even handcrafted items from talented local artisans. Many small towns have their own farmers markets too but I am focusing on Saskatoon and Regina as they are major centres. The Saskatoon Farmer's market runs year-round. You can find out more about it here as well as a schedule for when the market runs and a calendar listing a bunch of really fun and special events happening at the market.

Regina also operates a farmer's market. Visit The Regina Farmers Market's official website here.

I have also found a few neat stores in Saskatoon and Regina that specialize in locally grown food. The Steep Hill Food Co-op is found on Broadway Avenue in Saskatoon.  It is maintained by paid member-managers and specializes in local and organic food.

Want to buy Saskatchewan-made products online?  The Saskatchewan-made store is available to make these purchases. There is a great variety of products to purchase such as baked goods to preserves to even apparel.

These are a few places that you can find Saskatchewan products. Do you have any other markets or places that you buy locally in Saskatchewan? Share them with us by leaving a comment!

Image sources: Tina Farthing, Regina Farmer's Market, Saskmade.ca