Supporting Local Toolkit
A toolkit for promoting Canadian-Made products
We welcome your feedback
How are tariffs impacting your business?
We invite you to complete our brief and confidential survey. Your insights are valuable to us.
Now more than ever, consumers are looking to support their local economies by purchasing products that are made in Ontario and Canada. Hastings County's Economic and Tourism Development office would like to help you as a local business better highlight products that are made right here.
What's in it for you as a local business?
✓ Increased Visibility
✓ Consumer Trust and Loyalty
✓ Government and Institutional Support
✓ Competitive Advantage
✓ Marketing and Branding
We are pleased to offer the following resources to consider, and we will update as information becomes available.
Product Labeling - Help consumers better find you
What it is: A program developed by the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) to promote Ontario-made products. Manufacturers can raise more awareness of their locally made goods, and retailers can register as an Ontario Made retailers to help consumers make better informed purchasing decisions at their business.
Cost: Free for eligible Ontario businesses.
Link: https://supportontariomade.ca/
For Retailers: https://supportontariomade.ca/retailers
For Manufacturers: https://supportontariomade.ca/manufacturers
Why it’s useful: Helps Ontario businesses showcase their locally made products to consumers and retailers.
How to join: Businesses can apply online to be listed and use the Ontario Made logo.
How to use the label: Approved businesses receive access to the Ontario Made logo and branding guidelines. It can be used on packaging, websites, and marketing materials to highlight Ontario-made products.
Features & Benefits: Branding, increased visibility, promotional support, and access to the Ontario Made consumer marketplace.
What it is: A government-led program that promotes Ontario-grown food.
Cost: Free for Ontario farmers and food producers.
Link: https://www.ontario.ca/foodland/page/industry
Why it’s useful: Increases consumer awareness of locally grown produce and agricultural products.
How to join: Eligible businesses can apply to use the Foodland Ontario logo on their products.
How to use the label: Approved businesses receive branding materials and usage guidelines to include the Foodland Ontario logo on their packaging and marketing.
Features & Benefits: Branding support, marketing materials, and increased consumer trust in Ontario-grown food.
The use of “Product of Canada” and “Made in Canada” claims is voluntary. However, once a company chooses to make one of these claims, the product to which it is applied should meet these guidelines.
Product of Canada
Under the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, a “Product of Canada” label means at least 98 percent of the total direct costs of producing the item were incurred in Canada.
Made in Canada
“Made in Canada,” meanwhile, means it was more than half of the total direct costs — at least 51 percent but less than 98 percent.
The Competition Bureau encourages qualifying statements for that label, such as “Made in Canada with imported parts,” or “Made in Canada with 60 percent Canadian content and 40 percent imported content.”
Guidelines for “Product of Canada” and “Made in Canada” claims
Product of Canada Certification (Canadian Food Inspection Agency - CFIA)
What it is: A certification for food products that meet Canadian content requirements.
Cost: No direct cost, but businesses must meet strict criteria.
Links: Origin claims on food labels - inspection.canada.ca and https://inspection.canada.ca
Why it’s useful: Certifies food products as genuinely Canadian, building consumer trust.
How to join: Apply through CFIA and provide proof of compliance.
How to use the label: Approved products can display the official “Product of Canada” or “Made in Canada” labels, following CFIA guidelines.
Features & Benefits: Official certification for labeling, consumer recognition, and credibility.
Get your business included in Product Directories
If you're located in Hastings County and produce or grow something for sale, you should definitely consider joining Harvest Hastings. It is a grass roots organization that has been in place for more than 15 years and promotes local food, products, services and the people who provide them.
Cost: $35 for a membership
Link: https://shop.harvesthastings.ca/membership/
Features & Benefits: Become featured on their website Harvest Hastings and in their annual publication. It helps local consumers learn more about what's grown locally in Hastings County.
What it is: An online directory that lists businesses producing goods in Canada.
Cost: Free listing with optional premium upgrades.
Link: https://madeincanadadirectory.ca
Why it’s useful: Consumers looking to support local businesses can easily find and purchase from Canadian brands.
How to join: Visit the website and submit an application for review.
How to use the label: Approved businesses may be eligible to display a Made in Canada Directory badge on their website and products.
Features & Benefits: Increased visibility, credibility, and access to a community of Canadian consumers.
What it is: A national initiative that supports and promotes Canadian manufacturers.
Cost: Membership-based (varies by business size and services required).
Link: https://cme-mec.ca
Why it’s useful: Provides networking opportunities, advocacy, and training for Canadian manufacturers.
How to join: Businesses can apply for membership through the CME website.
How to use the label: Members can display the CME Made in Canada logo to demonstrate their commitment to Canadian manufacturing.
Features & Benefits: Advocacy support, training resources, and branding as a Made in Canada business.
Need some inspiration?
Here's some examples of what local businesses have posted
Business Funding Assistance
Explore a range of funding opportunities from municipal, provincial and federal partners. Programs are available for existing businesses, startups, youth and more.
Government of Canada Support
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has developed a Canada-U.S. Trade Tracker - a new tool designed to illustrate the ties between our two economies.