Given that Canadian Tire markets itself as "Canada's Store," I recently decided to go on an adventure to my local store to find out just how Canadian the retailer is.
I generally shop at Canadian Tire for their sales and hit them up bi-annually to get my tires changed over, but I rarely (if ever) have taken the time to wander through each and every aisle to discern how Canadian their content is.
With that task in mind, I set out to a location near the west end of Toronto and documented the most Canadian things I was able to find, and honestly, I'd genuinely like to own a few of the items I spotted!
From cute patriotic mittens to more practical items you'll want to stock up on before heading for the great outdoors, here's everything I found.
Blue Jays, Leafs and Raptors merch
Blue Jays, Leafs and Raptors merch.
One of the first set of Canadian items I spotted was merch for three of our biggest sports teams: the Toronto Raptors, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Blue Jays.
I'm not a massive sports fan, but I do love to cheer the teams on when I can and I've always thought the baby blue Jays hat is a very aesthetically pleasing piece.
A jersey for your favourite player can cost quite a bit (not to mention that player might get traded), but a good old standard tee of your favourite team is a great way to rep your pride.
These items would also be a great present for the sports fan in your life, like the "Maple Leafs Lane" sign for a wall in the room where the big game always gets watched.
Hockey sticks
Hockey sticks.
Of course, it wouldn't be a list about Canadian items without mentioning hockey sticks given that it's our country's official winter sport and is also the birthplace of the sport itself.
Again, since I'm not a huge sports person, I was impressed at the variety of options they had ranging from what seems to be a fairly good price (around $80) to pricier options upwards of $100. All depends on what you're looking for in a stick, I guess!
A small Canadian flag
A small Canadian flag.
And, like the hockey sticks, it wouldn't be a list of Canadian items without finding a few Canadian flags!
This little item is the perfect size to keep at home on your desk, to keep on hand for Canada Day or to display anywhere that needs a bit of patriotic pride.
A medium Canadian flag
A medium Canadian flag.
Next up on the list is a Canadian flag that you can fly on your very own outdoor flag pole. At 27 inches by 54 inches, it's considerably larger than the smaller flag, but not big enough to be unwieldy. Perfect for the cottage season!
A very large Canadian flag
A very large Canadian flag.
Of course, if you really want to go all out, you can always invest in a 6 foot by 8 foot flag that doubles as a tarp to keep you nice and dry when the summer storms roll in.
An Ontario provincial flag
An Ontario provincial flag.
As if those last few flags weren't enough, you can always display your provincial pride as well with this flag for Ontario.
Who knows, maybe some white trilliums (Ontario's flower) will grow where it flies, and perhaps you'll be able to spot some loons out on the water, which are Ontario's provincial animal.
Snow shovels
Snow shovels.
And is it even Canada without some snowstorms? Not all provinces get hit equally as hard with the white stuff, but even B.C. gets a dusting every so often which likely causes need for a snow shovel.
There were a few options to pick from at Canadian Tire, but my favourite is this light blue number that looks like it means business. Remember — lift with your knees, not your back, folks!
Hand and toe warmers
Hand and toe warmers.
Equally as Canadian as a frosty winter is staying warm during the aforementioned seasonal struggles.
These little doodads are a must when spending extended time outdoors, like when tobogganing, ice skating, shovelling snow or generally enjoying the majesty that happens between the months of November to early March.
Canadian mittens
Canadian mittens.
Those hand warmers would likely fit very nicely into these cute mittens adorned with a black maple leaf because real Canadians know that keeping warm and not getting frostbite is a key part of the season. Stylish and patriotic!
Canadian flag beach towels
Canadian flag beach towels at Canadian Tire.
And for the summer, you'll definitely want to have a Canadian beach towel to wipe yourself off with while you're out enjoying water sports on Lake Muskoka or at any of the gorgeous beaches we have right here in the country, like Blooming Point in P.E.I, Tribune Bay Provincial Park in B.C. or Gimli Beach in Manitoba.
Canadian kindling
Canadian kindling.
While you're enjoying the outdoor weather (either summer or winter!) you can stock up on some Canadian kindling in advance of your outing, because you never know if there will be enough of the good, dry stuff to get a safe fire going.
Imagine the heartbreak of not getting to roast marshmallows to make some epic s'more treats?
Citronella buckets with the maple leaf
Citronella buckets with the maple leaf.
And, of course, no one wants to be bothered by bugs while enjoying a glass of wine while relaxing on the patio. These citronella candles will keep mosquitos at bay and display a proud maple leaf, which is a win win.
A recycled Muskoka chair
A recycled Muskoka chair.
And lastly, a Muskoka chair just screams "summer in Canada." These iconic seats are a must-have for the backyard, the cottage, the trailer or basically any outdoor scenario where you just want to kick back and relax.
Not only are they made in Canada, but they're also recycled. Gotta love that!
While there are plenty of great finds to be found at Canadian Tire, there are some things you should probably avoid, according to an ex-employee.
In an interview with Narcity Quebec, a former employee spilled the beans on what exactly you shouldn't buy at the store and why, and it might take you by surprise.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
- 8 Things To Avoid Buying From Canadian Tire, According To An Ex-Employee ›
- A TikToker Shared This Canadian Tire Shopping Hack & People Are Totally Mind-Blown (VIDEO) ›
- I Went To Canadian Tire For The First Time Ever & Here's What Got Me Totally Confused ›
- A Canadian Tire sign has been called out because the math isn't adding up - Narcity ›