04-03-2025
23 Canadian Brands That Are So Elite, They Make American Versions Look Like Sad Participation Trophies
I'm sure you've heard the news: President Trump's tariffs are coming into effect today. Which, for us Canadians, primarily means that American goods are about to get a WHOLE lot more expensive.
Although I love me some American chocolate, let's be honest: Canadian goods can be just as great, if not BETTER. And lucky for us, Reddit users recently shared their favourite made-in-Canada companies — so now it's time to spotlight some of them.
1. " Lee Valley, for tools and other things."
— artofdrink
"Their flagship tool brand Veritas Tools is excellent, and made in Canada. I hope that doesn't change. I don't mind spending extra for made in Canada if they preserve the quality."
– qpv
3. " HAWKINS CHEEZIES!"
— leetrain
"American companies have tried to buy it, then tried to replicate it, but Hawkins is still the only good Cheezie."
– BigComfyCouch4
4. "I try to go out of my way to ensure I'm getting Chapman's Ice Cream when I can."
"It's hard not to want to support a company that makes doing the right thing just seem like the smart and obvious thing."
— vafrow
5. " Home Hardware. It's been around 60 years, and all their dealers are members of your community. It is truly one of the last full-blown Canadian companies."
"When you shop there, 100% of your business goes to employ someone in your community. They also give donations back to their respective communities."
— RelationshipKind7695
6. " Kawartha Dairy, for their quality ice cream."
— Babuiski
8. " Stanfield's underwear. Made in Truro, Nova Scotia."
— GoldenDragonWind
9. " Canadian North, an 100% Inuit-owned airline. Serves many of the fly-in communities of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut."
"Brings us our food and flies us to the south. Jointly owned by the Inuvialuit and Makivvik."
— CBWeather
10. " Naked and Famous Denim, out of Montreal. The denim is woven in Japan, but the fabric is cut and sewn in Montreal. Never thought I would be the guy to pay more than $50 for a pair of jeans, but now I understand."
"These jeans have been more comfortable and lasted longer than any of the mainstream brands I owned in the past."
— UncleToyBox
11. " Paradigm and Anthem, for speakers and home audio."
— Rich- Map7737
"I have four 30-year-old Paradigm speakers in my house. They are still driving my neighbours crazy with my music 🎼 😇."
– CptDawg
14. "I really like Muttonhead Apparel. The majority of their clothes are made in Canada, and some are made in New York."
"It costs a bit more but the quality is really good and the clothes last."
— Historical_Score_573
15. "Some people don't realize this but A&W Canada is a completely separate and independent company from A&W America. A&W Canada is 100% Canadian-owned and operated."
— Metal_Oak
17. " Rocky Mountain Soap Company, made in Canmore, Alberta. They have locations across many areas in Canada now. It's the only stuff to not make my skin have serious reactions."
— ElderberryPast8054
18. " Covered Bridge Potato Chips, which is based in New Brunswick."
— Fearless_Scratch7905
19. " This is J. They're based in Toronto. They sell the most comfortable articles of clothing I've worn in my entire life."
— sleepyboi08
20. " Laiterie de Coaticook Ltée in Quebec. They make dairy products without additives."
— Any-Board-6631
21. " DeSerres. Fine art supply company out of Montreal started in 1908-ish."
"Mostly Quebec stores, but Halifax, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Toronto have them, too. They have some Canadian-made products (cheaper to manufacture elsewhere)."
— lixdix68
22. " Buttercream Clothing! Everything is so soft, comfortable and they have a range from lazy wear to work wear (mostly women's, though my husband loves his tees and baseball tees from them)."
"It's all handmade here in Alberta, and everything holds up so well. I don't hand-wash, but I do hang to dry. The leggings and sweaters I bought in 2020 are still doing great with minimal fade.
They're also really nice folks."
— plausibleturtle
23. "I discovered Lasclay this year. It's all made in Canada. They do lunch boxes, toque, scarfs, etc. — all insulated with milkweed."
"My feet are always frozen in the winter, so I bought their insulated sole. It was a game-changer. 10 times would recommend."
– BananeDionne
