I’ve been doing the ‘buy Canadian’ thing for a few years now. I actually enjoy the game of trying to find cool folks making cool stuff and I know that there are others like me just like there are people who lack the time or inclination to do the research.
I also think it can be tricky for people looking at starting a business to be able to identify a need.
So what’s a product you don’t know of a Canadian alternative to?
Personally, it’s cast iron cookware. Meyer makes great stainless stuff, but there isn’t a single foundry making cast iron cookware in Canada. I’ve actually started emailing a few to see if I can find a Canadian foundry that would be willing to batch produce cast iron skillets. Finding a local brand already doing it would be a LOT easier!
Dishwasher.
Unique Appliances and Danby have dishwasher. Also several European brands like Electrolux and Miele.
Bosch Benchmark series are also made in Germany. Some of the lower models are, but it goes on a case by case basis. Loved our Miele at our old place (2 loads a day for 13 years without issue) picked up a Bosch Benchmark for our new place.
At least there are EU options.
I damn near bankrupted myself to buy a Bertazzoni induction range. Zero regrets. It ain’t Canadian but the EU are homies (mostly) and have some damn nice appliances. We have a Bosch dishwasher that was made in Germany and I didn’t realize that dishwashers could actually wash dishes until I got it (ten years old and still works beautifully).
Shit’s expensive as hell so there’s a lot of privilege that goes into my ‘damn the cost’ strategy and it definitely isn’t for everyone.