26 Canadian Companies Redefining What It Means to ‘Buy Local’

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Canadians increasingly choose local brands over global ones to support the economy and celebrate quality, sustainability, and homegrown talent. This has helped to increase the ‘But Local’ movement in the country as consumers switch to support ethical fashion, natural wellness, and handcrafted snacks, as Canadian companies redefine what industries and meet growing demand. These brands also keep jobs and innovation within the country while creating products that reflect Canada’s values. Here are 26 Canadian companies redefining what it means to ‘buy local’:

Peace by Chocolate

Peace by Chocolate is a Nova Scotia-based company founded by the Hadhad family. It is committed to social impact and sources locally whenever possible to support community initiatives across Canada. The company also has a strong backstory that reflects resilience and entrepreneurship, which has captured national attention and has enabled it to become a symbol of unity and local pride.

Ten Tree

Ten Tree is a Vancouver-based sustainable apparel company founded in 2011 by brothers Derrick and Kalen Emsley. Every purchase made through the company has a strong environmental impact, as it plants ten trees for every item sold to restore ecosystems, capture carbon, and create employment in communities worldwide. This has enabled the company to plant over 100 million trees across 15 countries, including Canada. Its products are also crafted from eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, hemp, and recycled polyester, which reflects its commitment to environmental stewardship.

Canada Goose

Canada Goose is a Toronto-based outerwear brand that has gained a reputation for its high-performance jackets for extreme weather. Under CEO Dani Reiss, the company stayed committed to Canadian manufacturing and continues to produce most of its gear domestically. In 2024, designer Haider Ackermann joined as creative director, blending heritage with modern fashion. Canada Goose supports local jobs and uses high-quality materials.

Native Shoes

Native Shoes is a Vancouver-based footwear company founded in 2009 by Scott Hawthorn. It uses innovative materials like injection-molded EVA, a flexible, rubber-like substance that resists water and odors, to deliver lightweight, durable, and comfortable shoes that cater to all ages. The company is also committed to sustainability and has launched a project that focuses on recycling worn-out shoes into materials for playground flooring and other community projects.

Stanfield’s

Stanfield’s is a historic Canadian apparel manufacturer based in Truro, Nova Scotia. Founded in 1856 by Charles E. Stanfield and his brother-in-law Samuel E. Dawson as Tryon Woollen Mills in Prince Edward Island, the company relocated to Nova Scotia in 1870, becoming Truro Woollen Mills. It is known for high-quality underwear and thermal garments and remains family-owned even after five generations. It has exemplified Canadian craftsmanship and supported local industry for over 169 years.

DUER

DUER is a Vancouver-based performance apparel brand founded in 2014 by Gary Lenett. Lenett uses his 35 years of experience in the denim industry to create versatile clothing that seamlessly blends style, comfort, and functionality. The company uses sustainable materials like eucalyptus-derived TENCEL™, organic cotton, and recycled polyester to create garments that reflect its commitment to environmental responsibility.

Purdys Chocolatier

Purdys Chocolatier is a Canadian, family-owned chocolate company established in 1907 by Richard Carmon Purdy in Vancouver. It has grown into Canada’s largest independent chocolate retailer, operating over 75 shops nationwide. To produce a diverse range of chocolates and confections, it sources premium-quality ingredients globally and prioritizes local options whenever possible.

Saje Natural Wellness

Saje Natural Wellness is a Vancouver-based company founded in 1992 by husband-and-wife team Jean-Pierre and Kate Ross LeBlanc. The company specializes in 100% natural, plant-based products like essential oils, skincare, and wellness remedies while staying committed to sustainability, sourcing ingredients responsibly, and offering eco-friendly packaging. With over 70 retail locations across Canada and the United States, Saje promotes holistic well-being while supporting local economies.

Lush Cosmetics (Canadian Arm)

Lush Cosmetics, founded in 1995 in the UK by Mark Constantine and a team of co-founders, expanded into Canada through a joint venture in 1996, establishing Lush Canada. The Canadian arm operates numerous stores nationwide and offers handmade, ethically sourced beauty products to consumers across the globe. However, in 2020, internal disputes between Lush Ltd. and its Vancouver-based partner, Mark Wolverton, led to different challenges as Lush sought court permission to dissolve Lush Canada.

Roots Canada

Roots Canada was founded in Toronto in 1973 by Michael Budman and Don Green. It began by introducing the ‘negative heel’ shoe, which was inspired by their experiences at Ontario’s Algonquin Park. It quickly expanded its product line to include quality apparel, leather goods, and accessories that embody Canadian culture and outdoor lifestyle. Roots is firmly committed to local manufacturing, producing its leather goods in Toronto.

Manitobah Mukluks

Manitobah Mukluks is a Winnipeg-based company established in 1997 by Métis entrepreneur Sean McCormick. It is dedicated to producing traditional Indigenous footwear, such as mukluks and moccasins. The brand integrates Indigenous artistry with contemporary design to share and preserve Indigenous culture. Through initiatives like the Storyboot School, founded in 2013, Manitobah Mukluks connects Indigenous artisans with students across Canada to teach traditional crafts.

Herschel Supply Co.

Founded in 2009 by brothers Jamie and Lyndon Cormack, Herschel Supply Co. is a Vancouver-based accessories brand named after the small Saskatchewan town where three generations of their family were raised. The company designs and manufactures high-quality backpacks, bags, travel goods, and accessories that blend timeless aesthetics with modern functionality. Herschel’s products are inspired by Vancouver’s surrounding oceans and mountains, which reflect a commitment to style, quality, and purpose.

Attitude Living

ATTITUDE is a Montreal-based company established in 2005 by Jean-François Bernier. It develops natural personal care and household products that promote healthy living and emphasizes using clean ingredients. It also offers vegan products that reflect its commitment to environmental responsibility while operating its own in-house laboratory and state-of-the-art factory. This enables the company to create high-quality products while minimizing harmful impacts on families and the environment.

Pilot Coffee Roasters

Pilot Coffee Roasters began as Te Aro Roasted in Toronto’s Leslieville neighborhood. It was founded in 2009 by Andy and Jessie Wilkin and has expanded to operate multiple cafés across Toronto, offering specialty coffee sourced through direct trade relationships. Pilot Coffee Roasters emphasizes quality and sustainability, contributing to the local economy and fostering a community of coffee enthusiasts.​

Lucky Iron Fish

Established in 2012 and headquartered in Toronto, Lucky Iron Fish is a social enterprise founded by Dr. Gavin Armstrong and Dr. Christopher Charles. The company developed a fish-shaped cast iron ingot to combat iron deficiency anemia. When boiled with meals, it releases a significant portion of the daily required iron. This innovative solution reflects the company’s commitment to improving global health through simple, sustainable interventions.​

Maison Orphée

Maison Orphée was founded in 1983 by Bernard Stier and is based in Quebec City, Canada. It initially specialized in importing high-quality virgin oils and later began producing locally sourced organic virgin seed oils. In 1992, Florent Bélanger acquired the company, continuing its legacy as Quebec’s first artisanal oil producer. Maison Orphée is committed to sustainability and collaborates with local and international producers who share strong societal and environmental values.

Province Apothecary

Founded in 2011 by Julie Clark, Province Apothecary is a Toronto-based skincare company specializing in plant-powered products. Its mission is to harness the power of nature to help individuals feel confident and comfortable in their skin. The company emphasizes natural ingredients and offers a range of skincare solutions to offer Canadian consumers skincare products that enable them to support the ‘Buy Local’ movement.

Endy

Endy is a Toronto-based e-commerce company specializing in Canadian-made mattresses and sleep products. It was launched in 2015 and has revolutionized the mattress industry through its high-quality, comfortable mattresses shipped directly to consumers in compact boxes. Sleep Country Canada acquired the company but operates as an independent subsidiary. Endy has been recognized as one of Canada’s fastest-growing startups, reflecting its significant impact on the local economy.

Knix

Knix is a Toronto-based intimate apparel brand founded in 2013 by Joanna Griffiths. The company has revolutionized the industry with its innovative, size-inclusive, and leak-proof products. It expanded its product line to include bras, sleepwear, shapewear, swimwear, and maternity wear and opened seven brick-and-mortar locations in Canada and California. In July 2022, Griffiths sold an 80% stake in Knix to health-and-hygiene giant Essity for US$320 million.

Flax Sleep

Established in 2017 by Anna Heyd, Oana Papuc, and Vivian McCormick in Vancouver, Flax Sleep provides high-quality, sustainably produced French bedding. The founders aimed to fill a gap in the Canadian market by offering accessible luxury home goods. Their product line includes children’s and baby bedding, robes, and tea towels.

Peace Collective

Peace Collective is a clothing brand that seamlessly blends fashion with philanthropy. It was founded in 2014 by Yanal Dhailieh in Toronto and operates on a one-for-one model, where each purchase results in a donation to a Canadian in need. The brand has collaborated with major Canadian entities like the Toronto Blue Jays and the Juno Awards to create official clothing lines that support its charitable initiatives while continuing to deliver products that enable Canadians to join the ‘Buy Local’ movement.

Toronto Popcorn Company

The Toronto Popcorn Company is a family-owned business that specializes in gourmet popcorn. It was founded in 2013 by Joseph and Caramhel Villegas. Based in Toronto, it offers a wide array of flavors, from classic caramel to unique options like cookies and cream. The dedication to quality and innovation has made it a popular destination for snack enthusiasts in the city and those seeking homegrown snacks.

BeaverTails

BeaverTails was established in 1978 by Grant and Pam Hooker in Killaloe, Ontario, and has become renowned for its iconic Canadian pastries. The company produces hand-stretched, deep-fried dough treats shaped like a beaver’s tail and comes with various toppings like cinnamon sugar and chocolate hazelnut. The first permanent store opened in Ottawa’s ByWard Market in 1980, and the brand has since expanded to numerous domestic and international locations to become a symbol of Canadian culinary culture.

Earth’s Own

Earth’s Own is a pioneering Canadian company specializing in plant-based beverages and producing a range of dairy alternatives, like oats, almonds, and cashew milk. It emphasizes sustainability and nutrition through its products. Founded in 1995, Earth’s Own is based in Burnaby, British Columbia, but it has expanded its operations across the country with facilities in Ontario and Quebec.

MadeGood Foods

Founded in 2013 by siblings Nima, Salma, and Sahba Fotovat in Toronto, MadeGood Foods specializes in organic, allergen-friendly snacks. The company was established to provide healthy, school-safe snacks that address the gap in the market for nutritious options suitable for school environments. It is committed to sustainability and social responsibility and operates as a certified B Corporation. The product line includes granola bars, bites, and cookies, all crafted in a dedicated peanut and tree-nut-free facility.

Routine Cream

Founded in 2012 by sisters Neige and Pippa Blair, Routine is a Calgary-based company specializing in natural personal care products. Situated at the base of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Routine offers a range of products, including deodorants, skincare, and haircare items, all formulated with natural ingredients. The company emphasizes creating effective and environmentally friendly products to bring joy and sustainability to daily personal care routines. ​

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