Why buying Canadian flags matters

I have had the pleasure of working with many people in Canada’s flag sector, custom manufacturers who produce high-quality banners, flags, and accessories that help us present our symbols to each other and to the world.

There may be no other industry more tied to Canadian identity than the one that creates the flags we raise for our favourite sports teams, local and provincial organizations, federal institutions, community causes, and national heroes. Banners and flags are the tools of the trade, whether you’re at a protest, a march, or a grand assembly. A flag says more than a thousand words.

As I watch the ongoing uncertainty around U.S. tariffs, diplomatic tensions, and inconsistent policies on both sides of the border, I worry about how Canada’s identity is being tested. I also worry for our manufacturers, especially those who make the very symbols of who we are.

Canadian-made flags are top-of-the-line: durable, carefully constructed, and built to last. Many U.S. and overseas companies import cheaper, inferior products. If a Canadian flag is properly cared for, it can last a dozen years. Imported flags often last only a year or two.

The Canadian manufacturers in our flag sector are my friends, good people who have weathered many ups and downs. Their capabilities grow every year as they adopt new technologies and expand what they can print on and produce.

I would like to give a shout-out to a few of these exceptional firms, all ready to serve Canadians with pride:

Flag shops across Canada:

• Barrie’s Flags Unlimited & The Original Flag Store (Ontario)
• Flag Emporium (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia)
• Aurora Flags & Banners (Edmonton, Alberta)
• L’Étendard Flags & Bannières (Quebec)

These are just a few of the many regional and national companies working hard across the country. Like so many Canadian manufacturers and distributors, they’re striving to survive and excel amid heavy international competition from the U.S., China, and other exporting nations.

So, when you can, buy local. Buy Canadian and show your pride in our homeland: Canada. 🇨🇦