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High-protein breakfast smoothie:

Wellness and sleep are closely related. How have you been sleeping lately? Since you spend about one third of your life in bed, it's well worth considering what kind of mattress you (and your kids) sleep on every night. 

A good sleep is everyone's wish, but what about the stuff you breathe in all night? Did you know that most mattresses are made with toxic foams, glues and chemically treated fabrics that emit harmful VOCs? Not to mention that they are a breeding ground for dust mites and other allergens. That’s enough to keep you up at night, right?

We did a little digging and found a healthy, Canadian-made alternative: natural memory foam mattresses made in Montreal by Essentia. Using all-natural ingredients, Essentia has created the World's ONLY natural memory foam, which they use in their collection of mattresses and pillows.

Naturally dust mite and bed bug resistant, this hypoallergenic foam is made from the sap of the rubber tree, organic essential oils, natural plant extracts, and water. Unlike all other memory foams on the market (which are made with petrochemicals!), Essentia mattresses and pillows are breathable and will not leave you hot and sticky. And as far as comfort goes, experts agree that memory foam is best, as it contours the body and provides excellent custom-made support for a restful sleep.

Essentia has been featured on Dr. OZ, Anderson Live, Rachael Ray and the Dragon's Den.

You're probably wondering if you can afford an Essentia mattress. Well, we’ve got excellent news for you! The answer is YES!

We have partnered with Essentia to offer you their biggest sale this year, exclusive to Buy Canadian First readers like you: get 20% back in Essentia products with every mattress purchased.

This exclusive offer is available online, or in any of their retail locations in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Ottawa. Just mention the promo code: Buy Canadian First

Choose among a wide selection of mattresses for the entire family, including your pooch! Add pillows, organic cotton sheets, mattress covers, etc. You will be well on your way to a healthy & restful sleep, made in Canada.

Good night...zzz

To me, the true spirit of the Olympic Games combines friendship, competition, excellence, pushing the boundaries of the human body and celebrating national pride. And of course, there's the small issue of Big Business...;-) In celebration of the 2012 London Summer Games, and especially the athletes that make up Team Canada, we are pleased to launch our "Go Canada Go" Giveaway! We have gathered products from across the country that remind us of the fun and spirit of the Games, and all we have to be proud of as Canadians. Here goes!

 1) I love this quote from Gabi at Crofters Foods about their Superfruit spreads: "The fruit are sourced from around the world and come together in a line of high antioxidant superfruit spreads. Sort of uniting fruit from all over the world, like they unite athletes from around the world in the Olympics." Isn't that great?! You will love their line of organic fruit spreads, conserves and jellies, made in Ontario. (Assortment valued at: $50.00)

2) If just WATCHING the coverage makes your muscles ache, here's a selection of hot/cold packs that is sure to sooth them! Made in Quebec by Cryopak, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The Flexible Ice Blanket is particularly nifty, as it easily takes the shape of the injured area, even when frozen solid. Clever! (Assortment valued at: $25)

3) If you're a runner (or a walker, like me) what better way to carry your iPod, phone, keys, etc., than this awesome arm-bag? Made in Quebec for Eco-Handbags from recycled store banners, each is unique and can be worn either on the arm or on the leg. I love the fact that they are made by a social insertion organization. (value: $45.99)

4) One of my favourite parts of the Olympic Games is seeing all the countries' flags flying together. I always think the Canadian flag looks the best. But then again, I'm sure everyone feels that way about their own flag! So, as you're taking the kids to the park, to the beach or just for a stroll, show off your Canadian colours with this great wagon with a removable maple leaf canopy. Made in Ontario by Millside Industries, it's sturdy enough to carry up to 300 lbs! (value: $179.99)

5) Based in Ontario, Nuvocare is famous for their line of natural supplements for weight-loss, anti-aging and sleep restoration. New to their SlimCentials line-up is Razpberi-K which, despite being sold as a weight-loss product, is actually favoured by many athletes to increase endurance. Why not try it for yourself? (value: $50)

 

6) London is my favourite city (after Montreal, of course!). I spent years there as a young adult and watching all the coverage of the Games on TV makes me want to visit it again! Maybe next year... Meanwhile, I love the fact that Dylan Ribkoff has named one of his designer boxers after London, the British capital! There's also another design called Whistler, to remind us of the last Games. Made in Quebec, these boxers are known for their comfort, quality and originality. (value: $59)

7) For all of you out there who continue their fitness regimens in the heat of summer, what better way to cool down after a workout than with the quintessential Canadian Mr. Freeze, made in Ontario by Kisko products? In recent years, Kisko has added  "healthier" options such as their great tasting Mott's Fruitsations ice bars with no sugar added. Yummy!!!! (value: $50)

8) Earth's Own makes a variety of wholesome foods that offer the best of Nature's goodness and flavours. All of their great tasting products are made from simple, wholesome, organic ingredients, "Because what you feed your body and your mind changes the way you feel." Love that quote! So true for everyone, but especially for athletes. Sample their line of non-dairy beverages made in B.C. including  So Good, So Nice, Almond Fresh and Ryza. (value: $75)

9) Being physically active means eating a well-balanced diet so that the body will be able to perform at its best.  It's simple but not always easy. Taking a multi-vitamin or vitamin supplement everyday is often recommended. What best way to do that than with  Life Science Nutritionals’ Gummies? Made in Ontario, they are easy to take, great tasting and available for  adults and  children . (value: $100)

(value: approx $ 650!)

To enter the giveaway, do as many of the 3 following things as possible, as they each count for one entry. The more the merrier (and luckier)!

1. Leave us one comment below telling us what your favourite Olympic event is. (Comments are moderated, so don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away!).
2. Follow us on Twitter  and tweet the following: @BuyCndianFirst loves #madeincanada. I entered their Go Canada Go! #giveaway here: http://bit.ly/O6kMpX
3. 'Like' us on Facebook .

The giveaway ends on Sunday, August 12th at 5:00 PM ET. We will pick one name at random from all entries and the winner will be announced the following day.

Good luck, Canada!

:: images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members. 

Nice to be back on the set of Canada AM!

And this time, our segment is a little different… well actually, I should say it’s different in a very BIG way! You see, this time we set-up an entire room to talk about Made-in-Canada: the All-Canadian Bedroom! We wanted to demonstrate how you could create an entire room with furnishings made in Canada.

You can watch the segment here. 

The centerpiece of every bedroom, of course, is the mattress. And the one we are featuring today is an amazing one, made in Quebec by Essentia. It’s the world’s ONLY natural memory foam mattress. All other memory foam mattresse out there are petroleum-based, which means they gives off loads of VOCs that you end up breathing all night long. Not this one. Made from the sap of the rubber tree, to which essential oils, plant extracts and water is added, Essentia mattresses are the ultimate in comfort & health. And yes, there’s even one for your pooch!

On such a healthy base, we just had to seek out the best organic cotton sheets we could find. And we found them at Dream Designs in Vancouver. They come is 16 beautiful colours and I’m so glad we had the turquoise ones to show today. How gorgeous are those!? Made in Canada for over 30 years, these sheets will make you forget all others. An investment worth making, for a good (and healthy) night’s sleep!

And to complete the natural & healthy theme, what better than an alpaca “duvet” handmade by Salem Alpacas in Ontario. Of course, it’s not a “duvet” in the traditional sense of the word, as no feathery friends were sacrificed for the use of their feathers. This one is made with alpaca fiber, a light, natural, renewable fiber sheared from the alpaca (similar to a lama) each Spring. Warm in the winter and cool in the summer, it is also naturally dust-mite resistant and hypo-allergenic. What's not to love about that!

The stylish & contemporary bedside tables and bureau are part of the Fynn collection, made in Quebec by South Shore Furniture. A third-generation family business, South Shore specializes in bedroom sets (master, kids, nursery) and home entertainment units made of particle board and MDF and using recycled fibres. All their collections meet and even exceed the ultra-low North-American formaldehyde emission levels required by the California Air Resource Board (CARB). Their furniture can be purchased pre-assembled in stores, or ready-to-assemble and delivered to your door. It has it all: style, function and affordability! Check out their brand new website to see their entire collection and lot's of great design tips!

 

And what about that gorgeous Othello upholstered chair made in Winnipeg by Palliser! Confortable, stylish and timeless. A beautiful houndstooth pattern in taupe, with solid dark wood legs. I love the fact that you can mix and match designs and coverings to create exactly the look you want. That's something you can never do with imports! 

And finally, last but definitely not least, how cool is that adult onesie from Strong & Free!? The ultimate sleepwear or loungewear, it’s made with care in Nova Scotia. And yes, it has a “bum-flap”! This is a Canadian premiere and marks the national launch of this awesome must-have. You can place an order here to reserve yours today!

So that’s the All-Canadian Bedroom! Pretty impressive, eh? Again, thanks so much to the entire Canada AM team and especially to Jenny who helped us set-up behind the scenes. You rock! See you again soon!

Happy Canada Day everyone!

Images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members above.

I'm a proud Canadian. (I'm also a French-speaking, "pure wool", 12th generation Quebecer, which always makes for an interesting mix!).

I would like you to meet another proud Canadian: Denise Dow from Saint-John, NB. Denise is the creator and the force behind Strong & Free, an emblem she created for Canadians to show their pride. The emblem was first imagined in Denise's backyard, inspired by leaves fallen from her beautiful maple tree and by our national anthem. It's a beautiful symbol for Canada, and one that deserves to be better known.

 

In business for almost five years now, Denise has succeeded in getting some of her Canadian-made Stanfield's licensed apparel into Sears stores across the country this year for Canada Day. Quite an accomplishment and something to be very proud of! Well done, Denise!

And best of all, they are currently on SALE at your local Sears store for $14.99 a piece, but only while supplies last! So get yours today! Or, you could actually win a set....keep reading...!

Coming this Fall, Denise is introducing THE quintessential Canadian loungewear: the Onesie! Made in Nova Scotia by iconic Stanfield's, it's sure to be a hit! Orders are rushing in, and the product has not even been launched officially yet (value: $67)! But you could win one....read on...!

In honour of Canada Day, we have teamed up with Denise to bring you an exclusive and totally awesome Strong & Free giveaway! Up for grabs, (in addition to the items above):

Decorative house plaque made in Quebec. Crafted in 3D aluminum and hand-painted with an antique finish. A beautiful addition to your home, cottage or business. (value: $99)

Canadian Pride replica hockey jersey made in Quebec. - 100% Polyester AK Knit jersey with sublimated maple leaf design. Available in red or white. (value: $109)

Pewter items made in Nova Scotia by Aitkens Pewter. Belt buckle, keychain, ornament and lapel pin (value: $ 46)

Strong & Free patch, 100% made in Canada! $4.00 from each patch sold is donated to the V.E.T.S., the reason why we are Strong & Free today! Lest we forget. (value: $10)

Color Me Canadian! coloring book. Learn all about Canada in English and French with this fun learning book that covers this great country from sea to sea to sea! (value: $6.50)

Over $350 worth of awesome patriotic goodies made in Canada! How great is that, eh?

To enter the giveaway, do as many of the three following things as possible, as they each count for one entry. The more, the merrier (and luckier)!

• Leave us a comment below telling us what you love most about Canada (Comments are moderated, so don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away!); 
• Follow us on Twitter  and tweet the following: @BuyCndianFirst + @StrongAndFreeEm love #madeincanada. I entered their #CanadaDay #giveaway here:  http://bit.ly/Men0Ek

• Like us on Facebook.

The giveaway ends on Saturday, June 30th at 5:00 PM ET. We will pick one name at random from all entries and the winner will be announced on Canada Day, Sunday July 1st.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. CONGRATS TO OUR WINNER: EVA, FROM EDMONTON, AB.

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED. YOUR COMMENTS WERE TRULY INSPIRATIONAL!

Good luck!

Images courtesy of Strong & Free.

Father’s Day is coming up, and there is no better time to reflect on the role of a father in his children’s life. Fatherhood has changed dramatically in the past few decades, with Dads spending much more time with their kids. I see it all around me and find it very inspiring.

My son's father and I have been divorced for 9 years now. Throughout those years, we have always shared custody of our child and I have seen him rise to the challenge of caring for him in amazing ways. They have developed a close relationship which is heartwarming and wonderful to witness. My son will be a better man because of it, and I am thankful for that.

To help celebrate Dads across this great country of ours, we have put together an awesome gift-pack filled with Canadian-made products that Dad is sure to love. Here’s what’s up for grabs:

1) For the fashionable Dad: 2 pairs of designer underwear made in Montreal by Dylan Ribkoff. These creations are known for the quality and comfort of their fabric, and the originality of their design. (approx. value: $60)

2) For the handy Dad: a collection of multi-bits screwdrivers made in B.C. by Picquic. The original multi-bit screwdrivers invented in 1988 and still “Built right….in Canada” (value: $ 66)

3) For the wine-loving Dad: Ravi wine refresher made in Quebec by Ravi Solutions. Store in your freezer and pop on any wine bottle to chill the wine as it comes out of the bottle. An ingenious invention! (value: $40)

4) For the high-tech Dad: a laptop stand made in B.C. by Chillbeds. This is a limited-edition 15” wide deep blue model. It will keep Dad and his laptop cool! (value: $50)

5) For the meat-loving Dad: a yummy collection of beef jerky made in Alberta by McSweeney’s. A selection of flavours, all made with top quality ingredients. (value: $50) (selection may differ from image)

6) For the sporty Dad: a real treat from Sam Bat in Ottawa: one of their famous maple bats, a mini-bat and a T-Shirt. Yes, they are the makers of the famous bat that enabled Barry Bonds to break the home-run world record (value: $175) (selection will differ from image)

7) For the brainy Dad: a set of beautiful stainless-steel brain teasers courtesy of Ottawa-based Lee Valley Tools. (approx. value: $50)

Almost $ 500 worth of great products made in Canada. Now that’s a gift fit for a King!

To enter the giveaway, do as many of the 3 following things as possible, as they each count for one entry. The more the merrier (and luckier)!

• Leave us a comment below telling us what you think is the best quality in a father (Comments are moderated, so don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away!);

• Follow us on Twitter and tweet the following:  @BuyCndianFirst loves Dads #madeincanada. I entered their #FathersDay #giveaway here: http://bit.ly/MjLMTS

• Like us on Facebook.

The giveaway ends on Saturday, June 16th at 5:00 PM ET. We will pick one name at random from all entries and the winner will be announced on Father's Day, Sunday June 17th.

Good luck!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. CONGRATS TO OUR WINNER: INGRID, FROM TORONTO, ON.

Images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members, as listed.

We're off to Toronto for another visit with Canada AM! Although I visit with them every morning through the magic of television (and now Twitter!), it’s always so awesome to be right there on-set!

In honour of Mother Earth, we are featuring some great Canadian-made products which are good for the environment. That’s a double-bonus in my books!

You can watch the segment here, and here’s a recap of what we were showing today:

Canned tuna & salmon from Raincoast Trading in B.C. A fourth-generation family-owned fishing business dedicated to sustainability in all they do: from fishing to processing and packaging. Truly outstanding products and company.

Environmentally-responsible gardening products from Green Earth (Premier Tech) in Ontario. Safe to use, they are formulated with ingredients derived from botanical, mineral and animal source. So now you can have a beautiful and healthy garden!

Natural laundry care & house hold cleaners from NatureClean in Ontario. A third-generation family business dedicated to healthier living every day. Sporting a new look this Spring, their products are good for people and for the planet!

Natural body care is what The Great Canadian Soap Company from PEI is all about. This unique company is farm-based and raises its own goats to supply the pure and natural goats milk which goes in many of their products. They welcome visitors, and that's a place I can't wait to go! Watch this video and you"ll understand why!  

And last but definitely not least: children’s playhouse and car made of recycled material from Cascades Boutique in Quebec. These adorable items are part of a larger line of fun cardboard playthings for kids but also for pets! And of course, they are fully recyclable!

Oh, and in case you’re curious, I’m wearing Lundstrom made in Toronto!

Thanks again to the entire Canada AM team, as well as to fellow-Montreal Todd Van Der Heyden! 

P.S. If you have not yet entered our Earth Day giveaway, hurry! Entries are accepted until Friday April 20th at 5:00 PM ET. Up for grabs is a gift pack full of Canadian-made eco-friendly products with a total value of over $550! The contest is here.

Good luck!

Images courtesy of CTV and Buy Canadian First members

You heard me: don’t do it. They are addictive. Once you start, you won’t be able to stop. Trust me.

Shame on you, Canadian candy geniuses Chris & Larry... First it was the Clodhoppers , and now this? What are you thinking?! How can you create such dangerously-delicious snacks and still sleep at night? Think about us poor Canadians, rushing to our local Shoppers Drug Mart and Loblaws to stock up on these OMGs ! Have a little heart...

And what’s up with all that chocolate-covered graham cookie, diced almonds and toffee bits? What ever possessed you to blend it all up and break it into bite-sized pieces of heaven? Really, not cool. And as if the chocolate milk one wasn’t awesome enough, you had to also have a dark chocolate version? For us poor suckers who consume dark chocolate with reckless abandon, since it is so “healthy”. Well, that just won’t do.  

I warned you, fellow Canadians, my job is done. Now please excuse me, I need to go back to my half-eaten bag....Hands-off my made in Canada OMGs!

Image courtesy of OMGs.

Results from a recent national study on consumer behaviour towards Canadian-made food products are clear: Canadians care where they food comes from and they prefer to buy Canadian.

Conducted by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the study notes that substantial sales increases were recorded for food products clearly identified as being from Canada. Canadian consumers have spoken: they want to "Eat Canadian"!

But the question is: "what food products are made here, and where can we find them?"

We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Hope from The Marketing Edge as our new Food Marketing Specialist, in charge of developing our online Canadian Food & Drinks directory to help consumers find food products made in Canada.

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Isabelle Remy, Founder & Managing Director of Buy Canadian First explains: "Karen brings years of experience in marketing, business development and brand building in the food industry. Based in Calgary, Karen will be responsible for reaching out to food processors across the country to invite them to list their products on its website to reach these highly-motivated consumers who are specifically looking for products made in Canada. She can be reached at The Marketing Edge".

Welcome to the family, Karen!

Images courtesy of Karen Hope & The Marketing Edge.

Back from Toronto and the launch of our biggest promo event so far, and a Canadian first!

As you know, our mission is to promote all things Canadian. We are well established online with our website, blog, Facebook page and Twitter account. We have also made much headway with our TV presence in 2011, having appeared twice on national television with Canada AM, and 7 times in Ottawa with CTV Morning Live! What's next? How can we make an even bigger splash?

Well, we found a way, with the help of our friends at ColossoVision. We positioned one of their large LED screens in downtown Toronto during the peak of Holiday shopping and are running a unique campaign to sensitize consumers to the benefits of buying Canadian, while streaming ads for Canadian-made products, services and talent!

The event is taking place on Bay Street at the corner of Edward, one of the busiest intersections in Toronto. The screen is "alive" from 8 AM to 9 PM from December 17th to January 1st (with a break on Christmas Day).

A great big THANK YOU goes out to our advertisers & supporters:

Bonnie St.Croix
Brookside Foods
Canadian Automotive Association (CAA)
Canadian Tire
Creations Jez - Bristol Leather
Deliciously Canadian
Direct Plus Food Group (McSweeney's)
Dylan Ribkoff
Eleventh Floor Apparel/Lundstrom
Fern Resort
Ganong

Gilldercroft
Glen Eden Resort

Go Clean
Hall Chem Manufacturing
Home Hardware - Beauti-Tone
Krispy Kernels
Life Science Nutritionals

Macleod's Shortbread

Mari's Foods (Wafu)

Mellow Walk
Michique
Monte-Carlo Inns

Nuvocare Health Sciences
Outdoor Survival Canada

Pook Toque
Royal Canin Canada
Royale
Show Me Your Canada

Canada Strong & Free 
The Rubinet Faucet Company
Universal Music - Justin Bieber
Universal Music - Paul Anka
Universal Music Canada - Jann Arden

If you're in the area, please stop by and prepare to be amazed by the awesome display of Canadian greatness!

Images courtesy of Isabelle Remy

It is Day 12 of our Cross Canadian Countdown and I am so pleased to have the opportunity to introduce Canadians across the country to some awesome Holiday gifts ideas made in Canada , on Monday December 12th, thanks to Canada AM!

Featured this morning (watch the segment):

1) MegaBloks building blocks from MegaBrands, available at Toys R Us and Walmart:

2) Convertible wooden sleigh from Millside Industries, available at Canadian Tire :

3) Backyard ice rink kits from RinkMaster, available online at RinkMaster :

4) Casual safety footwear from Mellow Walk, available at Mark’s, Mister Safety & Work Authority :

5) Jez-Elite leather apparel from Creations Jez, available in specialty retailers across the country:

6) Muttluks dog booties available at Pet Valu stores across Canada as well as specialty pet retailers:

This year, why not put Canadian-made under the tree? It’s the gift that truly keeps on giving....to your community, your environment, your country....

Happy Holidays!

Cut!... as they say in the movies! The 2011 edition of TIFF  is over now, and it was a resounding success yet again. What a great way to showcase Toronto, and Canada as a whole. This year, much focus was put on the Made in Canada brand, to our absolute delight! Check-out our previous posts about our involvement in the event, as well as the great contest we ran during the festival.

Canadian-extraordinaire Georges Stroumboulopoulos (a.k.a. Strombo) went all out and created an awesome gifting lounge highlighting some of the best Canada has to offer. From Montreal Canadiens' jerseys to Motts Clamato juice, there was plenty to be proud of!

And of course, there was Myriad Pictures' party and their swag bags filled with Canadian-made products donated by great Canadian companies with the help of Buy Canadian First! And guess what? The studio's Edwin Boyd was awarded Best Canadian Feature Film! Congrats Myriad Pictures!

And while we're celebrating, congratulations to the 5 lucky winners of our swag bag giveaway! Here's what is inside each bag, valued at well over $400 each!

                     Customized socks by Reliable Hosiery

                   Shampoo & conditioner from Natureclean

              Fashion accessories from Funky Fleece

                    Welch's juice bars from Kisko

                  Chocolate-covered fruit from Brookside Foods

           Gardener's dream cream from Aroma Crystal

                 Nite-Eze & Relax-Exe from Enzed Nutricorp

                   Decal & keychain from Strong & Free

          I.C.E. tags from In Case of Emergency

             Kids wall decor from Felt Fantasia

           Snack-size Vanilla chai soy beverage from So Nice

             Special Edition scarf from Lundstrom

Voucher for free natural memory foam pillow from Essentia

               Travel-size tissues from Royale Ultra

          Special Edition mini-notebook from Ecojot

            Mini multi-bit screwdriver from Picquic

        Our Canada magazine from Readers Digest Canada

           All-natural detergent from Live for Tomorrow

       Adult Essential vitamins from Life Science Nutritionals

         Promotional info from Show Me Your Canada

The 5 lucky winners have been contacted and their prizes are on their way. Congrats to: Gary from Calgary (AB), Theresa from Amherstburg (ON), Kelly from Hornby (ON), Debbie from Hamilton (ON) and Michelle from Toronto (ON). Here's what Michelle had to say about her prize:

" So, I got my fantastic package last week, so I have tried and tested it all : )

I must say I'm really impressed with everything! the Brookeside Chocolate was oh so yummy (Acai berry was my fav) . The Adult Essentials are awesome! The *Ice tags are very handy! and the roll up the rim key chair, I never knew existed, I laughed when I seen it, now I cant wait for Roll up the rim time. the scarf was beautiful! and the aroma hand lotion smells amazing and works really well!!!! Love Funky fleece, will def. order from them, so many cute things, especially for my step daughter. Love the nature clean shampoo and conditioner!!! Must say all and all my fav. thing was the "strong and free" I love being canadian and I'm proud to represent!

I can honestly say I would by more Canadian made products, but I find them hard to find, I guess that's because not a lot of Canadian made products are advertised etc. I will def. be doing research to find more products.

Thanks again to all the awesome Canadian companies above who donated their products for this event!

See you again next year, for more fun at TIFF!

Images courtesy of Isabelle Remy.

In case you missed it, Buy Canadian First was asked to provide products Made in Canada to fill swag bags for a TIFF event taking place last Friday. Read more about it here.

We’ve been working on the TIFF event for over 2 months now, and I cannot believe it’s over already! What a crazy 48 hours that was! I arrived in Toronto on Thursday night, and headed out for drinks with Denise and Patricia of Strong & Free. Really amazing ladies; fun, passionate and proud Canadians.  Such great company! 

By the time I got to my hotel, I was exhausted and starving. I was staying at the Canadian-owned Delta Chelsea, which I found out is the largest hotel in Canada. My room was on the 20th floor with great city views. One of my favourite parts of travelling is room service, so I ordered a turkey sandwich and a glass of wine. Imagine my surprise when the tray came and included was a welcome platter of Canadian-made treats: Canada True Icewine Tea and Maple Almonds, along with a bottle of ice cold Eska natural spring water. Now that is hospitality with a capital H! Thanks so much, Delta Chelsea!

And now for the best part: the party! The event was taking place at the brand new TIFF Bell Lightbox. What a beautiful, airy, modern yet warm & welcoming building. Entire walls are constructed of glass, and the use of funky colours such as red and purple play off beautifully against the white backdrop. Breathtaking. I arrived a few minutes before the start of the event, and was happy to see our beautiful gift bags on display.

A few Toronto-area manufacturers were present, as well as the awesome girls from Show Me Your Canada. It was so special to meet & mingle with an amazing group of women dedicated to encouraging and supporting each other’s projects and businesses. I loved it!

The room quickly filled up and we had the opportunity to meet some awesome industry insiders .  The film industry is completely new to me, so it was nice to learn more about it and to hear how proud everyone was about this new and truly Canadian endeavour: Cross Country Entertainment. We made some GREAT connections and I can't wait to let you know what comes out of it in the next few months...stay tuned!

At the end of the event, I was so proud to see guests leave with one of the fabulous swag bags, knowing that is was filled with great, Canadian-made products graciously donated by awesome Canadian companies.  Thanks everyone for participating, and let’s do it again next year! 

Meanwhile, don’t forget that we are giving away 5 of those swag bags! For details and to enter, click here. But hurry, closing date is September 18th at 5:00 PM (ET)!

As far as celebrity sightings are concerned, I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Canadian-cutie Scott Speedman . I have loved him ever since the days of "Felicity"  in the 1990s, and I'm happy to report that he is aging VERY gracefully! ;-) Next year, I'll make sure I spend more time in the city to truly enjoy all the Festival has to offer! But what a great first experience! Thanks to everyone who made it possible...you know who you are!

THE CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. WINNERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED.

Images courtesy of Myriad Pictures and Isabelle Remy.

September is here at last, bringing with it the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Did you know this festival is now the second largest in the world, after Cannes? Growing every year, this Made in Canada event attracts a myriad of Hollywood celebrities and industry giants. For 10 days each September, all eyes are on Canada! We LOVE that!

This year, Buy Canadian First is very proud to be a part of this great festival, through our supply of swag bags filled with products Made-in-Canada for one of the parties taking place at the beautiful Bell Lightbox. The event is organized by Myriad Pictures to celebrate the launch of their new Canadian distribution company:  Cross Country Entertainment. The party will be attended by American and Canadian media and industry executives, as well as international screen stars. The invite list includes, amongst others, Katie Holmes, Canadian cutie Jay Baruchel,  Stanley Tucci (loved him in Julie & Julia!), Malin Ackerman, etc.

Our gift bags, filled with great Canadian-made products, will be given out to the attendees. How exciting! But even more exciting: you could win your very own swag bag! We are giving away 5 of those beauties to 5 lucky winners! To enter, read on!

So what's in there, you ask? Here's a sneak peak at the companies who's great Canadian-made products will be in the bags...

We'll be attending the party and we'll be joined by the girls of Show Me Your Canada. It will be a blast! Stay tuned for updates & photos!

To enter the giveaway, do as many of the 3 following things as possible, as they each count for one entry. The more the merrier (and luckier)!

• Leave us a comment below telling us who your favourite Canadian actor or actress is;
• Follow us on Twitter and mention the following: @BuyCndianFirst loves@TIFF_NET  #madeincanada;
• Like us on Facebook and write on our Wall who your favourite Canadian actor or actress is.

The giveaway ends on Sunday, September 18th at 5:00 PM ET. We will pick 5 names at random from all entries and the winners will be announced on Monday, September 19th.

Good luck!

THE CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. WINNERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED.

I can't believe summer is almost over ALREADY! Wasn't it just yesterday that we were putting out the patio furniture and planting the vegetables in the garden?  And now we're working on getting the kids back to school. Crazy...

Thankfully, the late-summer weather is beautiful today and perfect for a Montreal-Ottawa-Montreal drive. I had the pleasure of doing 2 segments on /A\ Morning in the capital this morning: all about back-to-school, made in Canada! As usual, we drove up the night before so we could enjoy an evening in Ottawa. This time around, we stayed at the Canadian-owned Delta Hotel on Queen Street. While my husband and son headed out for dinner, I ordered room service and went over my notes for the next day's segments. The grilled veggie sandwich they brought up to my room was out of this world! Just enough Cambozola cheese, and lots' of great veggies. YUMMY! Next time you're in town, do yourself a favour and stop-by for one of those. I promise you will not be disappointed!

First segment:

 Watch it here.

In the first segment, we featured a really nifty new (to me) product: liquid vitamin D supplements made in Ontario by Ddrops Company. In recent years, after being told to stay out of the sun by the entire medical establishment, it now seems that many Canadians are suffering from Vitamin D deficiency! You see, vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin. So now, we either stay in the sun to get the vitamin D (bad) or stay out of the sun and take supplements (good). If your family is like mine, no one likes to take "pills", even if they are just vitamins. But now, no need for that. Ddrops has created liquid supplements for the whole family, and a single drop each day is all that is required. Add it to the morning juice or coffee, and you're done for the day! No one even needs to know it's in there: the drops are odorless and tasteless. They are also preservative-free, sugar-free, wheat-free, gluten-free, soy-free, corn-free, milk-free and peanut-free. LOVE THAT!

Next up are those great ice packs to keep our kids lunches fresh, cool & safe to eat. I love the Cryopak ice packs: super-durable, they come in many different sizes and colours, making it easy for everyone to keep track of their own! Also, they are very affordable and are sold in many dollar stores across the country. Buying Canadian on a budget: AWESOME! Manufactured by Montreal-based Cryopak for over 40 years, they are must-haves in my house.

And finally, eco-friendly school supplies made in Quebec by a truly green company: Storex. Since 1998, Storex has been manufacturing an ever-expanding line of PVC-free office and school supplies. PVC is often found in imported plastic items and has been linked to learning disabilities, cancers, etc. But none of that at Storex.  Want to hear something even better: all their products are recyclable! That's right, when you're done with them, simply pop them into your recycling bin and they will have a brand new life as something completely different...or as a new version of themselves! Because, guess what, their products are actually made from recycled material! The percentage of recycled material in each item varies from 25% to 100%, depending on the product. Bright, cheerful and colourful products that can even be personalized with your company, school or team logo. VERY COOL!

Second segment:

Watch it here. 

After a quick commercial break (during which my hair got all messed up and I had no idea the camera was rolling while I was trying to fix it...lol) , we were back with a truly sensational product line: I.C.E. tags (In Case of Emergency). They say the best products are always the simplest, and I agree with that. There is nothing simpler that these tags, and at the same time, they can truly be life-savers. Think about it, if something were to happen to you or a loved one, how would emergency personnel know who to contact? Um... good question. Ottawa-based  Gwen Staltari has the answer: personalized tags listing 2 names and phone numbers of people to contact In Case of Emergency. She has a complete (and still expanding) line of products to fit all needs: wallet cards, key rings, dog-tags (for humans, not dogs!) and my favourites: ones you attached to your helmet or loop your shoelaces through. Affordable, simple and invaluable: something every family member should have. Thanks for thinking about it Gwen, I'll be ordering a family-pack!

As usual, thanks to all the Buy Canadian First members who participated and a great big thank you to the amazing crew at /A\ Morning. See you soon!

Images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members Ddrops Company, Cryopak, Storex and I.C.E. In Case of Emergency.

It's 9 o'clock: we have to go! We're heading out to Toronto, 500 kms away, to appear on CTV's Canada AM. You see, we're closing off Made-in-Canada week and our job is to show the diversity of products made in this great country of ours. That's easy enough; that's what we do every day!

So off we go on our latest adventure! My husband and I have a routine when we go to Toronto. We stop halfway in beautiful Kingston and have lunch at the Wooden Heads restaurant. Today, the sky is menacing but we still manage to eat on the terrace and stay dry! We share a pizza and salad, relax with a glass of Ontario wine, then head back down the 401.

We get to our hotel around 5 PM. Nice to get out of the car! We always stay at the Holiday Inn Express when we go to the CTV studios, as it is a 5 minute drive away and no danger of getting stuck in traffic and missing our live TV date!

After a nice dinner and a good night's sleep, we show up at the studio with plenty of time to set-up before air-time. As usual, everyone is friendly, kind and very welcoming. Feels so nice!

A few butterflies in the stomach, but nothing too bad. As usual, despite lot's of planning & preparing, it all comes down to 4 minutes of ‘'spontaneous'' conversation with a great host (need I say more...it's Seamus!) about some amazing Canadian companies and their products.  I open my mouth and something comes out, with all the passion of my convictions! Good or bad, it's done in just a few minutes! 

You can watch the segment here.

Today, it was priviledge and thrill to showcase the great Canadian-made products below:

1) High-fashion hosiery made in Montreal by Reliable Hosiery since the 50s. This company is also the last remaining sock manufacturer in Canada, and can produce customized & personalized socks with any designs you wish! Very cool!

2) Designer handbags and slippers hand-made in Cape Breton by twin sisters Michelle & Monique, under the brand Michique. Unique, beautiful and head-turning, these creations are garnering attention from celebrities around the world. Just back from Cannes, where they were invited to participate in one of the famous gifting suites, the ladies are on a roll!

3) Canada's wines are now competing against the best on the international scene, and one of our best wineries is Closson Chase Vineyard in Prince Edward County. Winemaker Deborah Paskus specializes in Pinot noir and Chardonnay which will simply blow your (Canadian) socks off! I am a HUGE fan of Chardonnays, and have samples more than I can remember, but these ones stand out from the crowd. Give them a try an dlet m eknow what you think!

4) Company coming and you forgot to chill the wine? No problem. A Quebec company has invented a nifty gadget: the Ravi instant wine refresher. Keep the Ravi in the freezer, and simply pop it onto the uncorked bottle. Pour the wine out through the Ravi, and it will come out chilled to just the right temperature...in 7 seconds. Awesome!

5) What does Barry Bonds and Jose Bautista have in common? They both use the 2K1 solid maple bat made in Ottawa by Sam Bat to set their amazing records!

6) Who knew we made heavy-duty gardening tools in Canada? If it's top quality and super-durable, you know Ottawa-based Lee Valley Tools will have on their shelves!

7) The show's producers specifically requested we bring at least one item 100% made in Canada, from locally-sourced material. Everything had to be made here, including the packaging. We were happy to oblige! Introducing: a line of games for all ages, made in Quebec by Editions Gladius. Although licensees of Hollywood studio characters, they are all-Canadian!

8) Safety first. That's what's behind Tail Wags helmet covers, made in Toronto by Karyn Climans. With over 40 adorable designs, which fit all helmets from cycling, to snowboarding to equestrian, you're sure to find one that your kids (or you) will love!

9) Denise Dow from New Brunswick has a mission: spread Canadian pride across the country. Inspired and passionate, she has created a beautiful emblem bearing maples leaves and the words Strong & Free. She and her products are truly inspirational.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, I'm wearing my favourite Lundstrom dress, made in Toronto! 

Until next time...let's all get out there and buy Canadian!

Meantime, don't forget to enter our contest to win some these great products valued at almost $ 300. The contest ends today at 5 PM ET, so hurry!

Images courtesy of Isabelle Remy and Buy Canadian First members

I'm a news junkie. There, I said it. Have been for as long as I can remember. Because I've always been an early-riser, I got hooked on Canada AM and, to this day, it remains a big part of my morning routine. I'm usually up at 6h30 and downstairs by 7, showered and dressed and in need of my first cup of coffee. Then I settle down on the sofa with my cappuccino for 20-30 minutes and watch Canada AM. It's a nice gentle start to the day, and I enjoy the live & lively vibe on screen and the mix of hard news and lighter lifestyle stories, musical guests and movie reviews.

This year is Canada AM's 38th year on the air! I figure I've been watching on and off (in between school, living abroad, becoming a Mom, etc.) for over 30 of those years! Time sure does fly when you're having fun!  Hosts have come and gone, the format has changed, along with the musical theme, but somehow I just kept watching. I specifically remember hosts Norm Perry, Pamela Wallin, Keith Morrison (not a big fan...sorry...), Dan Matheson, Valerie Pringle (one of my faves) and, of course, current favourite in Isabelle's world: Seamus O'Reagan. He is such a cutie, and I love his dry sense of humour and his funny facial expressions. He makes me lol!

So yes, the cast of Canada AM is part of the family at my house. That's why I'm so proud that they have chosen to highlight Made-in-Canada with an entire week dedicated to the subject, and have invited Buy Canadian First to be a part of it! The Made-in-Canada series runs from Monday,  August 8th to Friday, August 12th. I will be closing the week off on Friday with a segment showcasing great Canadian-made products. I feel like the cherry on the sunday! I am so thrilled and looking forward to sharing the set IRL (in real life) with these great people that I hang out with, each morning, through the magic of television!

To celebrate, we are holding a very special giveaway for all of you out there who share our love for products Made in Canada and who are dedicated to helping support your local economies through your everyday purchases. We will be giving away a selection of the products being showcased on Canada AM to one lucky winner. We are not telling what those products are, so you'll just have to watch to find out!  But we can tell you that the prize pack will be worth almost $300!

To enter, do as many of the 3 following things as possible, as they each count for one entry. The more the merrier (and luckier)!

• Leave us a comment below telling us who your favourite Canada AM host is (past or present);
• Follow us on Twitter and mention the following: @BuyCndianFirst loves @CTVCanadaAM #madeincanada;
• Like us on Facebook and write on our Wall who your favourite Canada AM host is (past or present).

The giveaway ends on Friday, August 12th at 5:00 PM ET. We will pick a name at random from all entries and the winner will be announced on Monday, August 15th.

Good luck!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THE WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. POLL RESULTS FOR FAVOURITE HOST ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Seamus O'Reagan (61%), Valerie Pringle (26%), Jeff Hutchison (9%) and Beverly Thompson (4%).

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Images courtesy of CTV's Canada AM

It's here at last: Canada Day! Time to celebrate our great nation, come together with our family, friends and neighbours and just hang out and have a good time!

For me, it's also time to share with you some of the cool You Tube videos Made in Canada created by fellow Canadiens. So here they are, in no particular order:

1)  William and Kate - Royal Tour of Canada 2011 (1:54)

2) Canada Eh! (1:25)

3) This land is your land ''Canada'' (2:42)

4) I am Canadian theme: PROUD TO BE CANADIAN! (1:29)

5) The Canadian Ceasar, eh? (3:40)

6) You Can in Canada © (3:05)

7) Canadian History in 2 mn (1:58)

8) Michael Mitchell ''Canada in my Pocket'' (4:03)

9) Classified - ''Oh.....Canada!'' - Official Video (4:39)

10) Why is Canada Priceless ? #16 (0:06)

Do you have a favourite video about Canada? Please share it with us, we'd love to see it!

Here at Buy Canadian First, Canada Day is our favourite day of the year - well, after Christmas to be totally honest...;-) We are putting together a series of special blog posts running up to the big day, so keep your eyes peeled: lot's of great Made in Canada products to be won!

Today we're thrilled to announce our Great Canada Day Giveaway, which is being co-hosted by Ginger Mommy, a lovely Mom from Ontario. It is part of The Great Canadian Blog Bash, an event that brings together bloggers from all across our beautiful land. Follow it on Twitter at #TGCBB. What a party!

Our prize pack is filled to the brim with over $ 400 worth of Canadian-made products for the whole family. Here is what's up for grabs:

Men's cyclist carbon lazer bib, made in Quebec by Louis Garneau ($ 169.99): 

Men's cyclist Canada jersey, made in Quebec also by Louis Garneau ($ 94.99):

  
Official federal-government issued Canadian flag, made in Quebec by L'Étendard ($49.99): 

Gardener's Dream Cream, made in B.C. by Aroma Crystal ($39.99):

Guest book with photos of the Northern lights, created in Alberta by artist Anna Butler ($19.95):

. 

Professor Noggin's History of Canada card game, made in B.C. by Outset Media ($12.99): 

Professor Noggin's Geography of Canada card game, made in B.C. also by Outset Media ($12.99):

Dark chocolate açai & blueberry, made in B.C. by Brookside Foods ($ 4.99): 

Dark Chocolate pomegranate, made in B.C. also by Brookside Foods ($4.99): 

5 RimRollers, specially branded for Buy Canadian First and made in Ontario by Novel Solutions ($ 2.49 each = $ 12.45): 

For contest rules and to find out how to enter, click here.

Good luck & happy countdown-to-Canada-Day!

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. 

Images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members

Back from another fun Made-in-Canada adventure on A Morning in Ottawa! As usual, my husband and I drive down from Montreal the night before and enjoy a nice relaxing evening in our nation's Capital. As we both have businesses and lead very busy lives, we welcome the time we get to spend together. This time around, we stayed at the Indigo Downtown Hotel on Metcalfe Avenue, within walking distance of the Parliament. I had never heard of it, but what a great place! A boutique hotel, very chic and simple all at once, beautiful design and great big rooms with great big beds! Next time you're in Ottawa on business or pleasure, do yourself a favour and check it out. You won't be disappointed!

So, off we went to the studio for 7h10. Just in time to set-up on the patio and ...action! Why does on-air time seem to pass so fast? I never understood that...Maybe it's because it's so much fun! Watch it here.

So today we featured gift ideas for Dad for Father's Day. Four companies and their products were featured:

Lawn care products made in Ontario by C-I-L & Wilson (Premier Tech):

Multi-bit screwdrivers made in B.C. by Picquic Tool Company:

Closson Chase wines from Ontario's Prince Edward County:

Cycling apparel made in Quebec by Louis Garneau:

What will you be giving your Dad on Father's Day? Any other suggestions of products made in Canada? How about something handmade? Please share them with us!

P.S. In case you're wondering, I am wearing a dress made in Toronto by Lundstrom. Love their designs; so classy & comfortable.

Images courtesy of Premier Tech, Picquic Tool Company, Closson Chase Winery and Louis Garneau

Here at Buy Canadian First, we are truly blessed to be surrounded by individuals and organizations who believe in the Made in Canada message we promote, and strive to support us in very special ways.

One such organization is /A\ Morning in Ottawa, with whom we are proud to have been associated with for the last 2 years. The entire team, from on-air hosts to behind-the-scene producers, have always welcomed us on the show with open arms and enabled us to promote products made in Canada and the great companies who make them.

                           The set of /A\ Morning Ottawa

Cast and crew are deeply involved in the local community. They really do care, and it shows. For the past month, they have been auctioning off a selection of products and services donated by local businesses and raised almost $ 15,000 for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation!

Last Friday, to kick-off Ottawa's  Weekend to End Women's Cancers, the /A\ Morning team became the Pink Army and hosted a Pancake Breakfast live outside their studios in the ByWard Market. I was invited to attend, so I got up at 4 AM for the 2-hour drive from Montreal! An early start to a beautiful day, and great fun was had by all!

I had to return home that afternoon, but Saturday is when the real work began: a 32 km walk around the city, the first part of the 60-km walk which would take place Saturday and Sunday. Almost 1,000 walkers joined in to raise funds for this all-important cause, some walking in memory of a lost one, others in celebration of their own success in beating the disease.

And along the way, some sweet support from another great Canadian company: Kisko, makers of the famous Freezies! When they heard that the Pink Army was looking for some cool treats for the walkers, they graciously donated over 1,000 Freezies to the cause! A family business making Canada's favourite frozen treats since 1977, Kisko is 100% committed to supporting community events such as these. Thanks Kisko, we're so proud to have you on board at Buy Canadian First!

Their efforts raised more than $1.8M! Congrats to all...together, we really can make a difference!

Images courtesy of Isabelle Remy and Ziyada Callender.

Great to be back in Ottawa! I love that city, especially now that my stepson and his family have moved there. We're always looking for an excuse to visit and hang out with Junior (baby Kevin, 14 months old and ADORABLE). Yes, I'm a Step-Grandma and loving it! But I digress...;-)

I had a blast on /A\ Morning, showing-off some great products made in Canada, as usual! Today's theme was Outdoor Living...and hoping for sunnier skies!

You can watch the video here.

Featured were:

Gardening tools and accessories made by Garant in Quebec. I was blown away to learn that this company has been manufacturing in Canada  for 116 years! That's amazing! We featured their Botanica line of tools designed for smaller spaces... or smaller hands! Love that lime green, don't you?

And what about that cute Tubby, to carry around the garden when you're weeding, raking, fertilizing, etc. Just hose it down when you're done! 

Solid maple baseball bats made by Sam Bat in Ottawa. This is a true success story. Not only does this company supply baseball bats to the MLB, but they also export to over a dozen countries where Baseball is king! Plus, Sam Bats are the official baseball bats of Australian Baseball!  Just fantastic! The bat featured this morning, the 2K1 (or 73) is the same model as the one used by Barry Bonds to break the record of most home runs in one season!

A summer classic: Mr. Freeze, made by Kisko in Ontario. Makers of everyone's favourite frozen treat since 1977, Kisko is forever etched in our childhood memories as the best way to cool down on a hot summer's day! New this year, 2 healthy additions to their product line: The Welch's frozen juice bars and the Kisko Plus which has added calcium and Vitamin D. The kiddies will never know something that tastes so good is also good for them!

And finally, the most gorgeous summer dress I have ever worn: a tie-front dress made by Lundstrom in Ontario. Part of their new Lundstrom Collection, it is a real pleasure to wear: beautiful fabric, great design and soooooo comfortable! Originally founded in 1974 by the award-winning designer Linda Lundstrom, the company operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Toronto. Check-out their latest collection here.

As always, the crew of /A\ Morning, headed by Producer Extraordinaire Ziyada Callender, do a great job of supporting their immediate community as well as embracing the greater Canadian picture. Koodos and thanks for a great time! See you next month for great Father's Day gift ideas...made in Canada!

What about you, are you getting ready for summer (or Spring at least) ?

Images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members Garant, Sam Bat, Kisko and Lundstrom.

I spent last weekend in St-Thomas, Ontario. Why, you ask? Excellent question.

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by my new friend Freddy from the CAW Local 2168 through Facebook (gotta love that!) He was asking me if I had information about what products are made in Canada, for a local trade show they were participating in. Their theme was Made in Canada Matters, which is a campaign really close to my heart! ‘'Better than that'', I answered. ‘'I will come down and spend the day at your booth and bring you some great products Made in Canada!''

I figured, ‘'How far can St-Thomas be from Montreal, right?'' FAR!  We drove for 8 hours down the 401 (yes, my hubby tagged along to keep me company...thanks sweetheart!) through Car Manufacturing Country. It was fascinating to see those gigantic assembly plants: Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Chevrolet, GM and Toyota. Also sad to see some abandoned buildings, evidence of the decline of manufacturing in this great country of ours. As a matter of fact, I learned that the Ford plant in St-Thomas is due to close in September, sending about 1,200 people to the unemployment line. The nearby Lear plant is also slated for closure, as it was supplying the seats for the Ford plant. I also learned that every 1 job in the car manufacturing industry sustains 6 related jobs. So all of a sudden, those 1,200 plus jobs look more like 7,200 plus jobs. Yikes!

At the trade show, I was privileged to meet many people from St-Thomas. Families, elderly people, business owners, etc. This community knows only too well the importance of buying Canadian and it's repercussions on the local economy. And not just cars. Their eyes lit up when they saw what we had brought:

On the table:

- Screwdrivers made by Picquic Tools in Ontario
- Royale Paper products made by Irving Tissue in New Brunswick
- Life jackets (PFD) made by Salus Marine in Ontario
- Pet food made by Oven-Baked Tradition in Quebec
- Goat's milk skincare products made by Canus in Quebec
- Card games made by Outset Media in British Columbia
- Baby sling made by Blue Celery in Ontario
- Boots made by Rallye Footwear in Quebec
- Belts made by Truth in Ontario
- Wall décor made by Felt Fantasia in British Columbia
- Baseball bats made by Sam Bat in Ontario
- Mr. Freeze made by Kisko in Ontario
- RimRoller made by Novel Solutions in Ontario (just in time for the 25th anniversary of Roll up the Rim to Win!)

If you want to see more of these products, check our our current Gift Guide.

To this community, buying Canadian is self-evident. But they had NO IDEA such products were made in this country. Again, information & awareness is the name of the game. And we sure LOVE to play that game!

So again, thanks to everyone in St-Thomas who came out to meet us! I will definitely be back in that part of the country in the next few months, and hopefully will be able to visit one of those assembly plants! Can't wait!

Images courtesy of Isabelle Remy

Well, here we are at the end of our series on filling stockings with Canadian-made gifts on a budget by shopping at Dollarama. We have already filled the following stockings:
1) The kids
2) Mom
3) Dad
4) Pets

Today I thought it would be fun to think about all those students living away from home, or the young adults dreaming of moving out on their own in the New Year. So we made a stocking for the home!

Clockwise from top:

1) Cool Crisp fridge odor eliminator & produce crisper, made in Quebec by Karmin Industries: $ 2.00
2) Scotch-Brite scrubbing sponges (2), made in Ontario by 3M: $ 1.00
3) Felt floor protectors, made in Quebec by Dutex: $ 1.00
4) All-purpose scrubber, made in Canada: $ 0.50
5) Compostable kitchen organic bags, made in Quebec by Dorfin: $ 2.00
6) Wood-handle dish mop, made in Canada: $ 1.00
7) Hand sanitizer gel, made in Quebec by Delon Labs: $ 1.25

Total cost (before taxes): $ 8.75

As you can see, it is possible to buy Canadian on a budget. It just takes lots of label reading and a desire to make a difference. And remember, the job we are saving could be our own!

Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year 2011 from the entire team at Buy Canadian First!

Image courtesy of Isabelle Remy

Hello again and welcome to the fourth installment of our series on filling stockings with Canadian-made gifts on a budget. And what better place to shop than at the modern version of the 5 and dime: Dollarama!

On Monday we took care of the kids, on Tuesday it was Mom's turn, on Wednesday we shopped for Dad and today we are focusing on our beloved pets:

  
Clockwise from top:

1) PetStore small animal feed mix, made in Canada: $ 1.00
2) Suet for birds, made in Quebec by My Buddy: $ 1.00
3) Just For Me pepperoni dog treats, made in Quebec by Bio-Biscuit: $ 1.00
4) PetStore chicken dinner for cats, made in Canada: $ 1.00
5) Pedigree DentaStix for dogs, made in Ontario by Mars Canada: $ 2.00
6) REX dog treats (pigs ears), made in Quebec by Les Produits Bellerive: $ 1.00

Total cost (before taxes): $ 7.00

And of course a good belly scratch is free and will go a long way to make your furry friends feel Merry & Bright!

Stay tuned for the last installment tomorrow!

Image courtesy of Isabelle Remy

Ok, so here we are with the 3rd installment of our series on stocking stuffers made in Canada ….from Dollarama! Yes, cheap AND Canadian!

Yesterday we filled Mom’s stocking, and the day before it was the kids.

Now, it’s Dad’s time!

Clockwise from top:

1) Super Max shaving cream, made in Canada: $ 1.25

2) Endure Max body wash, made in Ontario by Todays Concepts: $ 1.00

3) Percara Full Force deodorant, made in Ontario by Percara: $ 1.00

4) Fire starter, made in Quebec by Concept Inferno: $ 1.00

5) Duramax duct tape, made in Canada: $ 1.00

6) Felt insoles, made in Canada: $ 1.00

Total cost: $ 6.25

I know, I know, not very exciting. But Dads are hard to buy for, no? I think a nice hug and some quality time spent with Dad will round up this gift very nicely.

All right, tomorrow we will take care of those wonderful animals that brighten our days!

Image courtesy of Isabelle Remy

If you have not read the first instalment of this series (stocking stuffers for kids), please read it here before you continue...

Basically, I thought it would be fun to look for Canadian-made stocking stuffers at Dollarama... Buying Canadian on a budget? Yes, it can be done! Here are some fun things for Mom to find in her stocking on Christmas morning:

Clockwise from the top:

1) Premium cotton pads to remove make-up, made in Canada: $ 1.00
2) Natural Concepts oatmeal body wash, made in Ontario by Apollo Health & Beauty Care: $ 1.00
3) Acrylic knitting yarn, made in Canada by Promofil: $ 1.00
4) Refreshing body mist, made in Quebec by Delon Labs: $ 1.00
5) Bath oil pearls, made in Quebec by Wizmet Int'l: $ 1.25
6) Goats milk soap, made in Quebec by Prima Goat Farms: $ 1.00
7) Cutex nail polish remover, made in Quebec by Delon Labs: $ 1.00

Total cost (before taxes): $ 7.25

Add a hand-made craft for Mom and you know she'll be over the moon!

Stay tuned: tomorrow is Dad's turn!

Image courtesy of Isabelle Remy

Is it really the week before Christmas already?! Where has the time gone? It’s time for shopping, baking and decorating. It’s also time for our 3rd annual series of blog posts for Made-in-Canada stocking stuffers from Dollarama!

My son broke his leg playing hockey last weekend and he was very disappointed that he could not help me shop this year. In the past, we would do it together and would tackle it as a ‘treasure hunt’. I could really have used his help this year because it was harder than in past years to find things made in Canada at the dollar store…and some of the ones I found were no longer $ 1 (but nothing over $ 2) This year more than ever, times are hard and wallets are getting pretty empty by now. Not much left for those stockings…

Still, let’s see what we found, and of course we’ll start with the kiddies:

Clockwise from top:

1) Marshmallow Christmas Trees (5), made in Quebec by Original Foods: $ 2.00

2) Colgate kids toothpaste: $ 2.00

3) Dubble Bubble Gumballs, made in Ontario by Concord Confections: $ 1.00

4) Santa shaped chocolate, made in Quebec by Les Chocolats Vadeboncoeur: 3 for $ 1.00

5) Oracare dental floss (after all those sweets!): $ 1.00

6) Despicable Me liquid hand soap, made in Quebec by Delon Labs: $ 1.25

Total (before taxes): $ 8.25

Not bad! Next, we’ll see what we can find for Mom…

Image courtesy of Isabelle Remy

Here is the last instalment in my 4-part series on Canadian-made stocking stuffers from the Dollarama. Yes, that's what I said; you can find Made-in-Canada items that retail for $ 1.00 (and a few for $2.00)!

If you missed the previous posts, you can read them here:

Part 1 (stocking stuffers for kids)

Part 2 (stocking stuffers for Mom)

Part 3 (stocking stuffers for Dad)

And of course, let's not forget about our beloved pets at Christmastime!  They provide us with joy and unconditional love all year long, so why not fill a special stocking just for them? Here are a few things they will appreciate on Christmas morning:

Clockwise from top:

1. Just for Me dog biscuits (340 g)
2. Loving Morsels dry cat food (800 g)
3. Rex dog treats (pig ears)
4. My Buddy sunflower seeds
5. Just for Me dog treats (113 g)

Total cost (before taxes): $ 6.00

And of course, the treat your pet will enjoy the most is free: a nice long walk or a good scratch or an invitation to join you on the couch!

I hope this series has shown that buying Canadian does not always mean spending more money. But it always does mean spending money more wisely, as it contributes to our local economy, keeps jobs in this country and cuts down on our carbon footprint. Now that's a good deal!

From all of us here at Buy Canadian First, we wish you a very Happy Holiday Season filled with joy, peace, family and love!

This is Part 3 in a 4-part series about buying Canadian on a budget this holiday season.

If you missed the previous posts, you can read them here:

Part 1 (stocking stuffers for kids)

Part 2 (stocking stuffers for Mom)

So I decided to shop for Canadian-made stocking stuffers at Dollarama... and I actually found some! It's Dad's turn this time. Let's see what we can hide in his stocking to put a smile on his face on Christmas morning:

1. Dippity-do hair gel (350 ml)
2. Super-Max shave cream (250 g)
3. Cedar grilling planks (2)
4. Percara analgesic gel (227 g)
5. Felt insoles (one pair)
6. Duct tape (7 m)
7. Concept Inferno fire starter (2 x 7 cubes)

1. Chocolate-covered almonds (75 g)
2. Premium Cotton Pads (100)
3. Delon Daily moisturizer for face and body lotion (221 ml)
4. Delagar bath oil pearls (15 capsules)
5. Capra Farms goat milk soap (141 g)
6. Promofil Polyester yarn (70 g)
7. Cutex nail polish remover (100 ml)
8. Delon Body scrub (170 g)

Christmas is a little tougher than usual for many families this year. 2009 has been a difficult year financially for many Canadians, and money is tighter than ever. In difficult times, it seems even harder to buy Canadian. It is undeniable that products made in Canada are often more expensive then the imported ones; it's the price of quality. Shopping with a conscience for the Holidays is trickier than ever this year, but thankfully, we're here to help!

In the past few days, I've been hard-at-work scouring my local Dollarama for made-in-Canada stocking stuffers (did you notice how prices have increased at the dollar store this year?). I'm not saying it was easy, but I did find a few fun things your family will enjoy finding in their stockings on Christmas morning. I prepared a series of 4 posts, which will cover 4 different themes.

As usual, let's start with the kids!

Clockwise from top:

1) Dora honey graham snacks (80 g)
2) Funstuff liquid paint (236 ml)
3) Caillou hand-soap (237 ml)
4) Mini hockey stick
5) Hannah Montana chocolate-covered marshmallow (22 g)
6) Original Dubble-Bubble gumballs (100 g)
7) High School Musical decorative wall decals
8) SpongeBob Colgate toothpaste (75 ml)

Total cost (before taxes): $ 10.00

Not bad! Now add to that some homemade treats (your recipe or ours ) and you've got it made!

Next, let's take care of Mom...

Last month, Ottawa launched it's very own Buy Local - Support Local campaign which will last an entire year. What a great initiative! I wondered what we could do at Buy Canadian First to help support that campaign. So, together with our friends at "A" Morning show in Ottawa, we put together a segment highlighting the great companies and products made in and around Ottawa.

As soon as we have the segment, we'll post it here so you can watch it.

Here are the products that were showcased:

1) Organic herbal products made in Glengarry by Glengarry Gardens

2) Woodworking tools made in Ottawa by Lee Valley Tools

3) Rim roller made in Russel by Novel Solutions

4) Sponges made in North Lancaster by MySponge.com

5) Flax products made in Winchester by Natunola

Unfortunately, we ran out of time to feature the following products, which were also on display:

6) Health products made by Herbal 1

7) Wall art made in Ottawa by Out of Ruins

8) Powerstick made in Ottawa by Ecosol

If you know of a Buy Local initiative in your community, please let us know about it!

Actually, I love everything about Ottawa. The people, the restaurants, the Byward Market, bilingualisme, etc... Love, love, love it!

I also love Angie Poirier from "A" Morning. What a pro! Watch my latest visit on the show here. We were featuring some of our favourite Canadian-made back-to-school items. Here they are below:

For kids:  

1) Basic workbooks, from Hilroy in Ontario

2) Recycled pencil case, from Eco-HandBags in Quebec

3) Lunch bag, from Eco-HandBags in Quebec

4) Family organizer/calendar, from More Time Moms in Quebec

5) Multi-vitamins for kids, from BodyBreak in B.C.

6) Plastic lunch containers, from Era Group in Quebec

7) Rain boots, from Rallye Footwear in Quebec

8) Eco-friendly journals and workbooks, from Ecojot in Ontario  

And for Moms who got the kids back-to-school in time!  

1) Yoga wear, from Terrafrog in Alberta

2) A Day at the Spa, from LUSH in B.C.

When I visit Ottawa, I usually drive from Montreal the day before and spend a little quality time in the Byward Market area. This time around, I walked by Zak's Diner and came across this little jewel (notice the "Buy Canadian" mention under Take-Out Menu):

Nice going Zak's!

Congratulations to Randy Berg who has won the second of three autographed copies of Jeff's book. Read Part 2 of this series and his comment here. Dont forget to read Part 1 if you haven't. You too win a copy! All you have to do to be eligible is leave a comment on this post, sharing your thoughts about this issue: If you are concerned or encouraged, agree or disagree, etc. We will then randomly select a winner and send the copy. The deadline for Part 3 (this post) is next Sunday, August 30th). Hurry up though: This is the last one we are giving away!

Isabelle: It's a pretty amazing concept and it's something I hope our politicians have the guts to handle.

Jeff: Don't worry about the politicians. When oil is $ 7.00 a gallon at the pump, people will know exactly what to do. They will send the right message to the politicians. For example, I don't know why we're spending billions of dollars to pro-up the auto-industry that's due to obsolescence by triple-digit oil prices. We should be investing billions in public transit instead of putting more cars on roads.

Isabelle: If Europe can do it, we can do it, right?

Jeff: Exactly. But here's the difference. In Europe, they've already been paying those prices for the last 10 years. When we start paying those prices, we'll become European. It's all about price. When gas is $ 7.00 a gallon, people won't have to buy my book. They'll know exactly what to do.

Isabelle: Can you tell me more about the concept of Carbon tariff on imports?

Jeff: I'm just saying this: if we're going to close coal plants and pay 3 times as much for our electricity...Now I know in Montreal you're blessed with hydro-electric power but that's not the way it is for most people in North-America outside of Quebec and Manitoba who have hydro-electric. It's coal plant or gas. California doesn't allow coal plants, so their power prices are 3 times as much as Texas. But if we are going to, all of a sudden, shut coal plants around North-America and pay 3 times as much for our electricity and then find out that China is building 800 coal plants, that does not make a whole lot of sense. So what I'm saying is we can't stop China from building coal plants, but what we can do is say : "if your steel factory gets its power from coal, from dirty power, we're going to charge you a tariff so that you pay the same price for your carbon emissions as our steel producers pay for their carbon emissions. In other words, you don't gain any economic advantage by using dirty power.

Isabelle: And what are the chances that someone will stand up to China and say that?

Jeff: The chances are excellent once we start paying 3 times more for our own power to close a coal plant. Because there's no point us making economic sacrifices for the environment if they're just going to be building coal plants like mad. Again, we can't tell them what to do, but what we can do is make sure they gain no economic advantage when they trade with us by using dirty power.

Isabelle: That would certainly fix 2 problems at once: the environmental one and the unfair trade that's going on.

Jeff: Exactly. And I think that's coming. There are some big changes and some big challenges but you know, it's not all doom and gloom. At as I say at the end of the book, in many respects, the new small world around the corner may be a whole lot more livable than the big one we're about to leave behind.

Isabelle: As a parent, I must tell you that I hope you are right. And in the meantime, I'm getting myself a ZENN Car!

Jeff: Now that makes sense! That's why I say: the key is not about the Bank of Canada, the Minister of Finance, the Prime Minister of Canada or the Premier of Quebec. It's not about those guys. It's about you and me and the decisions we make everyday in our lives.

Isabelle: And I think that's the most uplifting message of your entire book. Thank you very much for writing it, and thank you so much for your time. I really appreciate it

Jeff: Thank you and best of luck with your website!

Tell us what you think about Jeff's theory by next Sunday, August 30th. We will then randomly select a FINAL winner who will receive an autographed copy of  "Why your world is about to get a whole lot smaller."

Image source: China Digital Times

Congratulations to Kristy Smith who has won the first of three autographed copies of Jeff's book. Read Part 1 of this series and her comment here. You can win a copy too! All you have to do to be eligible is leave a comment on this post, sharing your thoughts about this issue: If you are concerned or encouraged, agree or disagree, etc. We will then randomly select a winner and send the copy. The deadline for Part 2 (this post) is next Sunday, August 23rd).

Isabelle: Do you think that such a rapid change will cause civil unrest?

Jeff: Whether is causes civil unrest or doesn't, we will have to change nevertheless. I'm quite confident that people will change. I believe that people will respond to prices. We're going to have to change our diets. We're not going to be able to eat avocadoes in February in Toronto because the cost of flying them in from Southern California or Mexico is going to make that avocado too expensive. But we'll end up eating more local produce and that means that we'll have to restore land back to farm land.

Isabelle: It also means that in Canada we're going to be eating a lot of potatoes!

Jeff: We'll eat potatoes, we'll eat corn. I'll tell you something, when I was a kid growing up in the sixties in Toronto, there were no fresh blueberries and raspberries in January, there were no avocadoes and I survived. I'm sure others will too. People will change their minds because at the end of the day, people will have no choice.

There are people who believe that we should go back to local because it cuts down on the carbon trail, and there are people who believe that we should go back to local because it will put us more in touch with our environment, and that's all fine. But I'm saying, even if you don't believe that, you're still going back to local because the whole model of a global economy doesn't work on triple-digit oil prices.

Isabelle: This is the best news I've heard in many, many months. Because what we do here at Buy Canadian First is help Canadians find goods made in Canada.

Jeff: Well, this is right up your alley because you're going to find more and more made in Canada. Of course, this is every bit as true in China as it is in Canada. Distance costs money for everybody. But in the Canadian economy that I see in the future, more and more things we consume will be made in this country.

Isabelle: That is certainly welcome news for a lot of our manufacturing members here who are struggling!

 Jeff: I think the big surprise will be that triple-digit oil prices are going to breathe new life into our rust belt. And it's going to lead to more farms, as well.

Isabelle: That's an interesting subject, because suburbia is replacing farmland almost overnight in many parts of the country. That's certainly the case here in Montreal.

Jeff: Those houses will be abandoned. And what we'll see is farm land re-claim those sub-divisions. And not in 20 years. In 4 to 5 years. In 4 to 5 years, you're going to see land starting to be reconverted back to agricultural use. And that will be as a result of soaring food prices and plunging suburban real-estate prices.

Stay tuned for more good news for Canadian manufacturers in Part 3!

In the meantime, tell us what you think about Jeff's theory by next Sunday, August 23rd. We will then randomly select a winner who will receive an autographed copy of  "Why your world is about to get a whole lot smaller."

Image source: Flickr Creative Commons: Dan Zen

I just left CTV's studios in Toronto after a live appearance on Canada AM. You wouldn't believe how many things are going on all at once on the set! Congrats to a great crew that makes it all look so seamless on screen! In case you missed it, here's the segment

The theme was back-to-school with Canadian-made items. The products and companies featured were:

For kids:  

1) Basic workbooks, from Hilroy in Ontario

2) Recycled pencil case, from Eco-HandBags in Quebec

3) Lunch bag, from Eco-HandBags in Quebec

4) Ice-packs for lunch bags, from Cryopak in Quebec

5) Family organizer/calendar, from More Time Moms in Quebec

6) Multi-vitamins for kids, from BodyBreak in B.C.

7) Plastic lunch containers, from Era Group in Quebec

8) Rain boots, from Rallye Footwear in Quebec

9) Eco-friendly journals and workbooks, from Ecojot in Ontario  

And for Moms who got the kids back-to-school in time!  

1) Yoga wear, from Terrafrog in Alberta

2) A Day at the Spa, from LUSH in B.C.

Happy Back-to-School everyone!  

P.S. Yes, the dress I'm wearing is made in Canada. It's from Tristan's Summer 2009 collection. 

Did you get a chance to read Jeff Rubin's book: "Why your world is about to get a whole lot smaller: oil and the end of globalization"? If not, you should run out and get it today. It's a great read. His book has been on Maclean's Best Seller non-fiction list for 11 weeks now!

Jeff was the Chief Economist at CIBC World Markets for almost 20 years. He was one of the first economists to accurately predict soaring oil prices back in 2000 and is now one of the world's most sought-after energy experts. He's a true Canadian with amazing vision!

I had the pleasure of spending some time on the phone with Jeff a little while back to discuss his book. I will share our conversation in a series of 3 blog posts, starting with this one.

We are also giving away 3 autographed books, one for each part of the series. All you have to do to be eligible is leave a comment, sharing your thoughts about this issue: If you are concerned or encouraged, agree or disagree, etc. We will randomly select a winner and send you your copy. The deadline for part 1 (this post) is next Sunday, August 16th). 

Isabelle: Your book is about how rising oil prices are about to transform our way of life, into something completely different. Something closer to what our grandparents probably lived...

Jeff: That's pretty accurate. We are going to see even higher oil prices, and at the end of the day there's not a whole lot we can do to prevent that. However, there is a lot we can do to make sure that when we see these higher oil prices, they don't have the same kind of devastating impact that they've had on our economy and our lives in the past. And that's about making changes in the way we live, and changes in the way we organize our economy so that we end up using less energy and in particular less oil.

And the single most important thing that we're going to do is go back to the idea of a local economy as opposed to a global economy. A global economy is where we produce something at one end of the world and sell it at another end of the world. But no matter what mode of transport we use (air, boat, train, truck) we're all burning oil. And as oil gets more expensive, distance starts to cost money. It doesn't matter if the wage rate is a lot cheaper in China, because in everything from steel to food the cost of moving things is going to be more important than the difference in the wage rate.

So a lot of things we thought were gone forever, like farms and steel mills, are soon going to be coming back because it's not going to be economic to buy our food or buy our steel from China. At the same time, everything that we now will make for ourselves will cost us a lot more money than we're used to. So we'll get back a lot of high-paying manufacturing jobs, but we'll be able to buy less with our wages because things will cost more.

We will tend to live more in the cities then in the suburbs because we won't be able to afford to commute 40 miles back and forth to work. And as people leave the suburbs, and food prices continue to rise, then ultimately many of those sub-divisions will be returned to the farm lands that they were 30 or 40 years ago.

Isabelle: What is the timeline on that?

Jeff: I think we will see triple digit oil prices again within 12 months. And when we do, I think we're going to start seeing some of these things happen very, very quickly. Because these things are not going to happen because people necessarily chose to live their lives this way, these things are going to happen because the economic reality of triple-digit oil prices are going to leave people with no choice but to change their way of living.

Stay tuned for Part 2...

In the meantime, tell us what you think about Jeff's theory by next Sunday, August 16th. We will then randomly select a winner who will receive an autographed copy of  "Why your world is about to get a whole lot smaller."

We’ll, I’m back from my mini-media tour!

I had the pleasure of appearing on 2 breakfast television shows last week, in time for Canada Day. It was my live TV debut and I must admit it was nerve wracking!

My first appearance was on “A” Morning in Ottawa, on Monday June 29th. Up at 5:30 AM (not that I slept much…) in order to appear at 6:50 AM. Angie Poirier, the host who handled the segment, was so sweet and seemed genuinely amazed at the website and the samples I had brought along. I have yet to find a Canadian who is not impressed with the great products we showcase on Buy Canadian First, yet it’s still nice to see that kind of enthusiasm. Thanks Angie for making me feel so welcomed!

If you missed the segment, you can watch it here

Here’s a recap of the Made-in-Canada products (and their makers) featured that morning:

1) Cryopak ice packs, made in Montreal (Qc) and Delta (BC)

2) Lois Jeans, made in St-Georges (Qc)

3) Ecosol Powerstick, made in Ottawa (On)

4) Park Pals stuffed animals, made in Mississauga (On)

5) Combat Sports baseball bat, made in Ottawa (On)

6) Kisko’s Mr. Freeze, made in Woodbridge (On)

7) Salus Marine personal floating devices, made in Kitchener (On) 

8) Sure Gro garden products, made in Brandford (On)

9) A.H.F. bedding products, made in Montreal (On)

10) Tuscan Farm Gardens natural skincare products, made in Langley (BC)

From there, on to Toronto for my second appearance!

Now I have to share something with you: when we launched Buy Canadian First last summer, I told my team that one day I would be on Canada AM talking with Seamus O’Reagan about our website. Don’t ask me how I knew it, I just felt it. So this really was a dream-come-true for me. He was so kind, approachable and natural, he made my entire year! If you doubt it, see how happy I was!

You can watch the segment here.

Here’s a recap of the Made-in-Canada products (and their makers) featured that morning:

1) Tristan apparel, made in Cookshire (Qc) 

2) Lois Jeans, made in  Saint-Georges (Qc)

3) Park Pals stuffed animals, made in Mississauga (On) 

4) DOM Sports hockey net & sticks, made in Toronto (On)

5) Salus Marine personal floating devices, made in Kitchener (On)

6) Combat Sports baseball bat, made in Ottawa (On) 

7) Ecosol Powerstick, made in Ottawa (On)

8) Kisko’s Mr. Freeze, made in Woodbridge (On) 

The poll question on Canada AM that day was “Do you make a special effort to buy Canadian?” Over 1,000 people answered the question and the results were phenomenal: 70% said YES! I encourage you to read the viewer comments here.

So overall, an excellent trip and many moments I will never forget. Thanks everyone who helped make it happen!

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

If you missed the previous posts, you can read them here:

Part 1 (for kids)

Part 2 (for the pet lover)

Part 3 (for men)

Part 4 (for women)

Do you have a Mom-to-be in your family or circle of friends? She would certainly love these items!

In the picture above, clockwise from front left:

• Percara Baby Care Baby Oil (266 ml)
• Percara Baby Care Baby Powder (400 g)
• Premium Cotton Balls (100 units)
• Percara Baby Care Baby Shampoo (445 ml)
• Natural Concepts Baby Wash (444 ml)

So I hope this series has shown that buying Canadian does not always mean spending more money. But it always means spending money more wisely, as it contributes to our local economy, keeps jobs in this country and cuts down on our carbon footprint. Now that's a good deal!

I wish you all a very Happy Holiday Season filled with joy, peace, family and love!

This is Part 4 in a 5-part series about buying Canadian on a budget this holiday season.

If you missed the previous posts, you can read them here:

Part 1 (for kids)

Part 2 (for the pet lover)

Part 3 (for men)

So your shopping is done, but there are still those stockings to fill? And your wallet is almost empty? No problem, head for your nearest Dollarama and pick-up these Made-in-Canada items for the woman in your life (even if it's your daughter!). 

In the picture above, clockwise from front left:

• Oliva Soft Soap (145 g)
• Clean Nails Nail Polish Remover (200 ml)
• Delon Organic Hand Cream (354 ml)
• Scotties Supreme Tissues (94 tissues)
• Lypsyl (4 g)
• Bio-2 Shampoo & Conditioner (476 ml)
• Premium Cotton Pads (100 pads)
• Delon Face & Body Lotion (100 ml)
• Smart Fixx Hair Mousse (145 g)
• Canadiana Moisturizing Body Wash (500 ml)
• Chocolate coated almonds (75 g)

You see, it doesn't always cost more to buy Canadian!

Next, my last installment, stocking fillers for the Mom-to-be ...

Here we go again... part 3 of my blog series about buying-Canadian on a budget for the Holidays... Sounds like an oxy-moron? Read on...

Read Part 1 (for kids) here

Read Part 2 (for the pet lover) here

And now some Canadian-made stocking fillers for the man in your life. Keep him looking and smelling good, with a few snacks thrown in!

In the picture above, clockwise from front left:

• Planters peanuts (125 g)
• Cookies & Clodhoppers (70g)
• Therapeutic Ice Gel (227 g)
• Cool Blast Deodorant (60 g)
• Max Endura Body Wash (350 ml)
• Percara Sports Hair Gel (475 ml)
• Thermo Comfort Insoles (one pair)
• Dentel Antibacterial Mouthwash (450 ml)
• Percara Shaving Cream (397 g)
• Anti-Smoke Multi-Scent Air Freshener for car (135 ml)
• Cott Root Beer (355 ml)

Unbeatable, don't you think?

Stay tuned for the next installment: something for her...

If you have not read the first installment of this series, please read it here before you continue...

In a nutshell, I am trying to deconstruct the myth of "I can't afford to buy Canadian". To this end, I filled 5 stockings with Made-in-Canada items from my local Dollarama. Here is the second one, which cost under $ 10.00 (taxes included), for the pet lover:

In the picture above, clockwise from front left:

• My Buddy wild bird seeds (1 kg)
• Pet Lovers' odour eater (227 g)
• Just for Me dog biscuits (340 g)
• Skeena cat food (156 g)
• Just For Me dog treats (170 g)
• Percara cat litter deodorizer (200 g)
• Rex Products dog treats (pigs' ears)

Surprised? Stay tuned for the third installment: stocking fillers for the man in your life...

I have to admit something: I have a love-hate relationship with the dollar store...My local Dollarama is a source of conflicting feelings which I'm forever struggling to reconcile. On one hand, I am turned off by all the knock-offs and low-quality imported products found on their shelves. Toys don't last more than an hour, and scotch tape does not stick! On the other hand, I must admit how practical and affordable some of those consumable items are: gift bags, party & scrap-booking supplies, activity books for kids, etc.

A few weeks ago, I found out something amazing: there are Canadian-made products at Dollarama! And they retail for $ 1.00! Can you believe it? I could not either. When I shared this juicy piece of information with Jessica Brown of the CBC, during our interview of November 24th, she was so surprised she mentioned it in her news report! Watch it here.

So I challenged myself to the following: in these uncertain economic times, when everyone is trying to reduce their spending, could I fill some stockings with inexpensive Canadian-made items from Dollarama? Well, after spending an hour and a half looking at product labels with my 11-year old son Nicholas (what's the big deal with child labour anyway...;-), I came up with enough supplies to fill 5 different themed stockings, all under $ 12.00 each (taxes included!). I thought this nifty fact could be of interest to others, so this is the first post in a series of 5 detailing the contents of each stocking.

Let's start with the kids' one, of course!

In the picture above, clockwise from front left:

• Sandy Lion stickers (27 stickers)
• Choco-Paradise macaroons (130 g)
• Caillou bubble bath (500 ml)
• Kids 2-in-1 Cherry Splash shampoo (444 ml)
• Caillou hand-soap (237 ml)
• Hershey's mini OhHenry (130 g)
• Disney honey graham cookies (80 g)
• Bubble King giant gumballs (5 pieces)
• Comet chocolates "Santa's Parade" (33 g)

I bet Santa will be happy to hear about that!

Next chapter: the animal lover's stocking.

Hier fût une journée trépidante dans nos bureaux! Jessica Brown, journaliste à Radio-Canada (anglophone) nous a rendu visite pour une interview.

La fin Novembre est traditionnellement une période de magasinage très occupée, spécialement chez nos voisins du Sud avec le phénomène du Black Friday (le vendredi suivant l'Action de Grâce, ou les aubaines abondent). Les canadiens habitants près de la frontière américaine la traversent souvent en cette période de l'année pour leur magasinage des Fêtes. Mais cette année, dans le climat d'incertitude économique que l'on connaît, nous aimerions beaucoup voir les consommateurs canadiens demeurer au pays et faire leurs achats localement afin d'appuyer leur économie locale. C'est logique, non? C'est ce que j'ai exprimé à la journaliste de Radio-Canada. Visionner l'entrevue ici.

Je suis vraiment emballée que les médias s'intéressent à ce mouvement grandissant qui favorise l'achat de produits fabriqués au Canada. L'attention médiatique confirme cette tendance et met en évidence la nécessité d'appuyer les manufacturiers canadiens de toute taille.

Que pensez-vous du vendredi noir?  Rechercherez-vous des cadeaux faits au Canada durant la période des Fêtes? Faites-nous part de vos commentaires!

Late November is traditionally known as a huge shopping period, especially South of the border (Black Friday phenomenon), but in this time of economic uncertainty, we would love to see more shoppers stay closer to home and support the local economy! Doesn't that make more sense? That's what I told the CBC. Watch the segment here!

I can't tell you how delighted I am to see the media paying attention to the buy-Canadian movement. It confirms and bolsters the trend while raising awareness of the importance of supporting Canadian manufacturers large and small.

What do you think of Black Friday? Are you going to seek out made-in-Canada holiday gifts? Let us know!

Oui, c'est à vous que je m'adresse! Je sais que vous recherchez activement des produits fabriqués au Canada. La tendance est claire et c'est fantastique! Alors, est-ce que vous faites votre part? Avez-vous demandé aux détaillants de votre localité de remplir davantage leurs tablettes de produits fabriqués au Canada? Êtes-vous conscient du pouvoir que vous détenez en tant que consommateur pour influencer le type de produits qui se retrouveront dans les magasins au détail?

Cette tendance est un authentique mouvement communautaire, et doit faire son chemin à partir DE LA BASE jusqu'au sommet de la chaîne d'approvisionnement. La bonne nouvelle c'est que les consommateurs comme vous et moi détenons le vrai pouvoir face aux produits qui nous sont proposés; c'est donc à nous de l'utiliser! Avez-vous déjà demandé à votre épicier du coin de se procurer une de vos marques favorites et d'être surpris de la retrouver sur les tablettes à votre prochaine visite? Ne soyez pas surpris: les choses fonctionnent ainsi!

C'est donc à nous de demander aux commerçants d'offrir le type de produits que nous désirons voir sur les tablettes. Et s'ils vous répondent qu'ils ne savent pas où se procurer de tels produits, n'hésitez pas à les référer à achetonscanadiendabord.ca : nous avons plusieurs fabricants et artisans à leur présenter!

Dans le contexte de ralentissement économique actuel, nous devons porter une attention particulière à la façon dont nous dépensons notre argent. Ainsi, assurons-nous de soutenir notre propre économie afin de conserver nos emplois pour pouvoir continuer à acheter des produits fabriqués au Canada. C'est à nous de faire entendre nos voix! Laissez-nous savoir comment se déroule votre campagne personnelle!

Image courtoisie de Creative Commons, Flickr

Yes, I'm talking to you! I know you're actively looking for Canadian-made products. How do I know? The trend is clear, every one agrees, and that's great! So what have you done about it? Have you asked your local retailers to stock more goods Made-in-Canada on their shelves? Do you know how much power you have as a consumer to influence what products end up in retail stores?

This is a true grassroots movement and therefore must make it's way UP the supply chain. The good news is that consumers like you and I have the most power in this game, so let's use it! Have you ever tried to request a favourite brand at your local grocer and been surprised to find it there next time you visit? Don't be surprised: that's how it works!

So let's all get out there and take the time to ask store managers for the kind of products we want to see on their shelves. And if they tell you they don't know where to find those products, feel free to direct them to BuyCanadianFirst.ca: we've got some great manufacturers and artisans to introduce them to!

As the economy slows down and we get more discerning about what we spend our hard-earned money on, let's make sure we support our own economy so we can keep our jobs and keep buying those Canadian products. It's up to all of us to make our voices heard. Make sure you come back and let us know how your own personal campaign is going!

Image source: Creative Commons, Flickr

La semaine dernière, j'ai eu le plaisir de participer au tournage d'un épisode de l'émission Active-toi produite par la télévision Franco-Ontarienne. La série s'adresse aux ados et chaque épisode traite d'un enjeu social et politique qui les touchent. Nous avions été invités à élaborer sur le thème de la consommation locale et de ce que ça représente aux yeux des jeunes de 11-14 ans, en utilisant notre site Web comme outil de recherche de produits faits au Canada. L'épisode sera diffusée durant la saison 2008-2009 et je mettrai ce billet à jour dès que j'aurai plus de détails.

Entre-temps, voici un petit mot de nos 3 participants sur leur expérience :

Bonjour cher lecteur d'Achetons Canadien d'Abord,

Nous voulons vous renseigner sur notre recherche. Nous cherchions de la pâte à modeler et de la compote de pommes produites à moins de 100 km de Verdun. C'était difficile de trouver des produits d'ici. Nous avons fait une recherche dans une de nos maison et sur 20 items aucun n'était du Canada, même pas la compote de pomme même si les pommes sont en saison en ce moment! Cela nous a fait beaucoup réfléchir sur le fait que le Canada fait beaucoup de produits mais les autres produits d'ailleurs sont plus populaires, peut-être car ils sont moins chers.

Acheter localement c'est bien parce que ça crée des emplois et c'est meilleur pour l'environnement car nos produits font moins de voyage. Si toutes les semaines, chaque famille québécoise remplaçait 20$ d'achats de biens provenant de l'extérieur par la même valeur en produits québécois, plus de 100 000 emplois pourraient être créés.

En conclusion, c'est un sujet très important à aborder. Nous espérons vous avoir fait réfléchir sur le sujet.

Sabrina, Jérémy et Naomie

 

En passant, les jeunes ont trouvé leur pâte à modeler chez Bojeux Inc., dont l'usine est située à Anjou. C'est là qu'est fabriquée la fameuse pâte à modeler Tutti Frutti aux parfums tellement appétissants qu'on voudrait la manger!

Je tiens à remercier Caroline Bâcle et son équipe de nous avoir offert une si belle vitrine pour faire connaître notre site Web. Merci aussi à Sabrina, Jeremy et Naomie, 3 jeunes super-dynamiques et sympatiques!

Bon magasinage...local!

Recently, I spent a weekend in Ottawa with friends. Although the weather did not cooperate, we still had a great time. Ottawa is one of my favourite Canadian cities, and I try to visit from Montreal as often as I can. I love the history, architecture, art, shopping and great food. By the way, next time you're in the ByWard market area stop by Cafe Shafali for some of the best Indian food this side of Mumbai. Yumm! But I digress...

After lunch, we took a guided tour of the Parliament. Such a great and beautiful building, once you pass the airport-like security checks. Last time I went was 1998 and we could go in and out as we pleased, but alas no more of that. Of course, I could not resist the gift shop at the end of the tour. Now picture this: I am in Canada's Parliament buildings, the seat of Canadian power, paid-for and maintained by Canadian tax dollars. I'm looking for something for my son, when I spot a cute little RCMP bear keychain.

I check the label, as I do almost obsessively nowadays, and I realize that the bear is imported from Asia. It also carries a tag proudly stating that "...the Royal Canadian Mounted Police continue to be one of Canada's most recognizable symbols...", adding that this is an "Official Product Under License From The Mounted Police Foundation". Now what's wrong with this picture?

Let me give you another hint. I also notice a vinyl document holder adorned with Canada's Coat of Arms.

Pretty official Canadian stuff, especially when sold in the Parliament's gift shop, right? I have to really dig to find the label on this one but when I do, again I realize it's an imported product. The descriptive tag is easier to find, and states "...the crest marks Canada's sovereignty..." Really? I should think a sovereign country would ensure it puts its citizens to work by selling souvenirs that tourists and Canadians alike would be proud to bring home as a reminder of their visit. Don't you?

Here's my pet peeve: It really bugs me that so many Canadian souvenirs are not made in Canada. What's up with that? Who wants to buy a moose head Christmas ornament as a souvenir of their trip to Canada, only to find a Made in China label on it? (yes, I know, who wants to buy a moose head Christmas ornament anyway... That would be me, I collect them... The ornaments, not the moose heads ;-)

To be completely honest, the majority of items in the gift store were made in Canada. So that's great. But why not strive for 100% consistency, especially on Parliament Hill? My point is, we make great souvenirs here, from arts & crafts to t-shirts, even stuffed animals! For example, check out our office mascot, Seamus (named after Seamus O'Regan, but that's the subject of a an entire different post...), available at Ontario Parks stores online.

One day, when I visit China, I'll make sure the souvenirs I bring back are made in China. Until then, if you come across some great Canadian-made souvenirs, drop us a line!

Happy hunting!

I just wanted to share a real Canadian feel-good story with you today. My 10-year old son is an avid Montreal Canadiens’ fan and a hockey player himself. This year he is playing PeeWee for Hockey West Island. He is also an avid hockey card collector with an affinity for the Glorieux of the 70s (I know, I know, he has good taste… takes after his Mom ;-)

Anyway, a few months ago he saved up his allowance to buy a Ken Dryden card from the 1972-1973 season, and was so excited about it. He just wished it had the great Hall of Famer's autograph on it… So I suggested he find Ken Dryden’s email address at the Parliament (he is the Liberal MP for York Centre, in case you’ve been asleep for a couple of years) and ask him for an autograph. And so he did.

 

Le week-end dernier, je me suis rendu à Ottawa avec des amis. Ottawa est une de mes villes canadiennes favorites, et j’essaie de m’y rendre le plus souvent possible. J’adore son histoire, son architecture, son volet artistique, ses boutiques et ses restaurants. En passant, la prochaine fois que vous visiterez le marché ByWard, arrêtez-vous au Café Shafali où vous pourrez goûter à la meilleure cuisine indienne de ce côté de Mumbai. Mmmmm! Mais je m’écarte du sujet…

Après le repas du midi, nous avons participé à une visite guidée du Parlement, magnifique bâtiment que vous pourrez admirer une fois que vous aurez passé les contrôles de sécurité aussi sévères que ceux d’un aéroport. La dernière fois que je m’y suis rendu, c’était en 1998 et on pouvait y entrer et en sortir comme bon nous semblait. Cette époque est malheureusement révolue. Bien sûr, je n’ai pas pu résister à la boutique de souvenirs à la fin de la visite. (Gardez ceci en tête: je me trouve à l’intérieur du Parlement canadien, payé et entretenu grâce aux impôts canadiens.) Donc, je cherche un petit souvenir pour mon fils Nicholas et j’aperçois un porte-clés nounours de la GRC.

Un simple coup d’œil sur l’étiquette (de manière compulsive comme d’habitude) et je me rends compte que l’ours a été importé d’Asie. De plus, celui-ci porte une étiquette qui indique «…La Gendarmerie royale du Canada demeure un des symboles les plus reconnaissables du Canada…», et en ajoute en affirmant qu’il s’agit d’un «produit officiel sous licence de la Fondation de la police montée». Qu’est ce qui chose qui cloche là-dedans?

Laissez-moi vous donner un autre indice. J’examine aussi un porte-documents en vinyle qui porte le symbole des armoiries du Canada. Difficile pour un produit d’être plus canadien que cela, en plus d’être vendu à la boutique de cadeaux du Parlement... Celle fois ci, j’ai vraiment eu à fouiller pour en trouver l’étiquette d’origine. Une fois de plus, il s’agissait d’un produit importé. L’étiquette descriptive quant à elle, a été plus facile à trouver. Voici ce qu’elle indiquait: «…L’écusson est la marque de la souveraineté du Canada…» Vraiment? Il me semble qu’un pays souverain devrait faire travailler ses propres citoyens pour fabriquer et vendre des souvenirs que les touristes et les Canadiens seraient fiers de rapporter à la maison. N’êtes-vous pas du même avis que moi?

Je trouve vraiment aberrant le fait que  tant de souvenirs canadiens ne soient pas fabriqués au Canada. D’où vient cette logique? Ne devrait-il pas y avoir une loi contre une telle pratique? Qui désire se procurer une décoration d’arbre de Noël à tête d’orignal pour se rappeler de leur voyage au Canada pour ensuite y découvrir l’étiquette, Made in China? (Vous allez sans doute me répondre «De toute façon, qui veut s’acheter décoration d’arbre de Noël à tête d’orignal?» Et bien moi…je les collectionne… les décorations de Noël, pas les têtes d’orignal!)

Pour être parfaitement honnête, la majorité des articles de la boutique de souvenirs étaient fabriqués au Canada ce qui est en soi une bonne nouvelle. Cependant, pourquoi ne pas viser un taux de conformité de 100%, tout particulièrement sur la Colline du Parlement?

Mon argument est que nous fabriquons de magnifiques souvenirs ici-même, qu’il s’agisse de produits artisanaux, de t-shirts ou d’animaux en peluche! Par exemple, jetez un coup d’œil à la mascotte de notre bureau, Seamus (en l’honneur de Seamus O’Regan) qui a paru dans l'article de presse que la Gazette a écrit sur nous …(mais ca c’est le sujet d’un tout autre billet)…et disponible aux boutiques Ontario Parks en ligne.

Lorsque que visiterai la Chine, je m’assurerai que les souvenirs que je rapporte ont été fabriqués là-bas. D’ici là, si vous tombez sur de magnifiques souvenirs canadiens fait au Canada, écrivez-nous! Bonne chasse à tous!

Images courtoise de Isabelle Remy 

Well, well, here we are at last. Welcome to BuyCanadianFirst.ca! This site has been a little over 9 months in the making, so today really is like giving birth! 

I started this business alone in my home office back in October 2007 and now occupy a beautiful sunny office in the heart of Dorval, Quebec. I am surrounded by the very best team anyone can wish for, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all. Merci de tout mon coeur!

We sincerely hope that you will enjoy your visit on our site, and will feel compelled to come back often to check out the new items we receive every day. You will also want to check out our blog entries, which we promise will be entertaining, enlightening, humorous and always very Canadian! We look forward to your feedback, comments, product reviews, special requests and suggestions.

This site is our gift to you, our fellow Canadians, so please make yourselves at home and enjoy! 

Kind Regards, 

Isabelle Remy
Founder & Managing Director