We asked Canadians if they still buy made-in-Canada products and here's the reality

There was a push to buy Canadian at grocery stores in Canada because of tariffs, but is that still happening?

Well, Canadians shared if they still choose made-in-Canada products, and it revealed the reality of what's going on across the country.

On the Narcity Canada and MTL Blog Facebook pages, we asked whether people are still buying made-in-Canada items and whether any American products make it into shopping carts even if they're trying to buy Canadian.

There have been more than 400 comments so far, including a few heated responses.

Here's what people who are still buying Canadian said:

"I'll probably stick with Canadian from now on. It's better quality and I like knowing I'm supporting Canadian farmers and companies."
Nancy Bennett

"Yes. Will not be going back. I've been able to source almost all of our basic needs. Either 100% Canadian, or product of Canada, Mexico or from the EU."
Grace Ellen

"Absolutely! As much as I can and that is available."
Tamara Berlana Jimenez

"Almost everything I buy is made in Canada or at least not the USA."
Wendy Presant

"If I have a choice, I go with Canadian."
Ellen Lang

"Yes! And anything but USA! I've always supported Canadian and local businesses before this."
Ashley Ewing

"Yes, I am. I won't be changing. Our products are superior."
Brenda Johnson

"Absolutely! Have gone without some things rather than buy American."
Liz Terry Potter

"Will continue to do so. I always buy and will continue to buy Canadian-made products wherever possible."
Neil Humphrey

"Yes! Yes! Yes! I only buy Canadian products at grocery stores."
Lorraine Hoult

"Never buying American products ever again."
Pierre Lapointe

"Canadian all the way."
Carole Ramage

"100%. And if the only choice is U.S., back it goes!"
Bob Fardy

"We should all be doing our best to support our businesses and our fellow workers who depend on those jobs to care for their families. It makes me feel good to help our country [...] It may seem small, but it's something we can all do."
Susan Fletcher

"We know everyone is doing the best they can! I have done a lot of comparison shopping and been pleasantly surprised that many CDN products are almost the same price — sometimes even lower in price."
Judy Lyons

For others, it depends on prices and which products are the cheapest.

Here's what they said:

"Buying whatever gives me the best value for my dollar."
John Sallo

"I buy whatever's on sale."
Sheila Mondonedo

"I buy what's cheap."
Don Ashton Pizarro

"I'm buying whatever is affordable for my family."
Cynthia Ferack

"Buying whatever is cheap. I can't afford to be selective now."
Subhan Raza

"I'm buying whatever is on sale."
Melanie Vosilla

"I buy whatever is best for my wallet, always have, always will."
Chris Johnson

"I buy what's on sale or the cheapest."
Rikki-Lee Hallett

"I buy what I can afford."
Larina Gee

"Buying whatever is more affordable. If that happens to be Canadian — great. If not, ah, well."
Bogdan Kosenko

"I buy what my wallet allows me to buy."
Max De Kiewit

"I buy whatever is giving me the best value for my dollar."
Deborah Wilson

"I would buy whatever is the most cost-effective option no matter where it came from."
Scott Lindquist

Buying Canadian isn't always simple. Sometimes, it's complicated.

Here's what people said about how complex choosing Canadian versus American products can be:

"I wouldn't intentionally NOT buy Canadian goods. I have no animus, but I just don't see specific Canada items."
Herb Liebhaber

"We try, but unfortunately, it's not available."
Balwant Singh Natt

"I buy as much Canadian as possible, but sometimes we have no choice. Prefer supporting my country first."
Mike Sirois

"When I am able to afford it, definitely! Being on a strict budget makes it hard sometimes. I do try!"
Lisa Kuehn-Hersey

"I'm trying to, but I live on a limited budget [...] and it's hard for me to get everything Canadian when a lot of the alternatives are much cheaper. It seems to me that if it's made in Canada, then it should be cheaper to buy in Canada, wouldn't you say? But unfortunately, it’s not in a lot of different cases."
Troy Jackson

Quite a few Canadians haven't changed how they shop at grocery stores amid U.S. tariffs. Here's what they said:

"No, just buying what I want. If you are going to boycott U.S., better be in it 100%, not just groceries. It means Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, etc. Otherwise, well, I think it is useless and means nothing."
Diane Brouillard

"Never look where it comes from."
Steevee Therrien

"I'll buy whatever is cheap and whatever products I like. I'm not going out of my way or spending more money to support Canadian."
Trevor Deslippe

"I buy what I need. I never ask where they're from."
Bruce Redburn

Also, it got a bit heated, with people coming after the government, grocery store chains, and other Canadians.

Here's what a few of them said:

"You want Canadians to buy Canadian, start regulating grocery prices on Canadian goods so people won't think about it twice. Yes, we are trying very hard to buy any goods other than American, but it also has to make sense to our pockets."
Salvatore Scalzo

"So now everyone is patriotic and boycotting American goods. Not before now, though. Before now, it was ok not to buy Canadian. Support for local businesses and farmers should have been the norm. Sadly, a lot of Canadian produce might be better quality, but it's pretty pricy. People buy what they can afford."
Gabi Medlicott

"Appalled how many people answered with 'Whatever is on sale,' 'whatever's cheap.'"
Neil Humphrey

"When I can't get Canadian made, I will go with any of our TRUE allies."
Cherie Doyle

If you're looking for advice, the federal government has a guide for buying made-in-Canada products.

There's also a breakdown of what "product of Canada" and "made in Canada" labels mean.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.