The “Buy Canadian” movement continues to enjoy strong support across the country, with a growing number of consumers actively choosing domestic products and avoiding American brands nearly 19 months after the Canada–United States trade war began. A new poll by Abacus Data suggests that the consumer movement has not lost momentum, despite ongoing economic pressures and concerns about the cost of living. According to the survey, 77 per cent of Canadians said they intend to avoid American products entirely or purchase as few as possible. The figure is almost unchanged from February 2025, when 78 per cent expressed the same intention following the initial announcement of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods by President Donald Trump. More significantly, the number of Canadians who say they are actually changing their purchasing habits has increased. In February 2025, 53 per cent reported buying more Canadian products. By September 2026, that number had climbed to 61 per cent, indicating that the movement has developed beyond a temporary expression of dissatisfaction and is increasingly influencing everyday consumer decisions. The survey also identified changes in how Canadians approach travel, shopping and entertainment. The proportion of respondents who said they would not make travel plans to the United States increased from 32 per cent in February 2025 to 52 per cent in September 2026. This represents one of the most significant shifts in consumer behaviour since the trade dispute began.
Canadians are also becoming more selective about where they spend their money. The percentage avoiding American gas stations increased from 33 to 39 per cent, while those avoiding U.S. retailers such as Walmart rose from 20 to 26 per cent. The share reducing purchases on Amazon increased from 21 to 26 per cent. Meanwhile, the proportion cancelling American streaming services grew from 14 to 20 per cent. These figures suggest that the movement is influencing several areas of consumer spending, rather than being limited to grocery shopping. Travel decisions, retail purchases, online shopping and subscription services are increasingly part of the broader effort to support Canadian businesses and reduce dependence on American products and services. However, the research also highlights an important challenge facing the Buy Canadian movement: price. Approximately 61 per cent of respondents believe Canadian-made products generally cost more than comparable American goods. This perception has remained largely unchanged since the beginning of the trade dispute. The survey found that only around one in five Canadians would choose a Canadian product when it costs noticeably more than an equivalent alternative. This suggests that although consumers may prefer domestic products, affordability continues to play a decisive role when they make purchasing decisions. Identifying Canadian products is another challenge. Many consumers remain uncertain about which brands and products are genuinely Canadian. The research found that 89 per cent of Canadians want clearer product-origin labelling, highlighting the importance of transparency for businesses hoping to benefit from the movement. The survey also found that approximately 70 per cent of Canadians continue to support removing as many American-made products as possible from store shelves, a figure that has remained relatively stable since the trade war began. At the same time, around 72 per cent recognise that many American-made food and household products contain Canadian ingredients or components, demonstrating the complexity of cross-border supply chains. Abacus Data conducted its latest survey between September 4 and 9, 2026, involving 1,479 Canadian adults. The results were compared with an earlier survey of 3,000 adults conducted between February 5 and 11, 2025, shortly after the first round of U.S. tariffs took effect. Both surveys were conducted online and weighted to reflect Canadian census demographics. The findings come at a time when Canada is seeking to strengthen its domestic economy, diversify international trade and reduce its reliance on the United States. The trade dispute has encouraged discussions about supporting local manufacturers, strengthening Canadian supply chains and creating greater opportunities for businesses within the country. The Bank of Canada has also identified changes in consumer behaviour since the trade tensions escalated. Its February 2026 analysis found that Canadians had increased spending on domestic travel and Canadian grocery products while reducing spending on comparable American goods and services. Although the shift in grocery spending was relatively modest, the central bank noted that the change had persisted beyond the initial period of trade tensions. For Canadian businesses, the continued popularity of the movement presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Local manufacturers, retailers and food producers may benefit from consumers actively looking for Canadian alternatives. However, businesses must also remain competitive on pricing, quality and product availability if they want to turn public support into long-term customer loyalty. The latest findings indicate that the Buy Canadian movement has become a lasting feature of consumer behaviour rather than a short-lived reaction to political tensions. While Canadians continue to express strong support for domestic products, the extent to which that support translates into actual purchases will depend on affordability, clear product labelling and the availability of competitive Canadian alternatives. Nearly 19 months after the trade war began, the message from Canadian consumers remains clear: they want to support their own economy, but they also expect Canadian products to offer value for money.