Apples'n'Oranges: Buying Canadian - for all the right reasons

Our Ultimate "I Buy Canadian" Blog party was an amazing success! The reasons people stated for buying Canadian were compelling, heartfelt and inspiring!

From frugality, to the environment; the impact on community to supporting friends, the reasons for buying Canadian are all excellent and countless.

Our special thanks goes to Traci Costa, owner of Peekaboo Beans, who helped us select our grand prize winner - Meg Theo! Read her essay(below) and all the other great submissions and see if they don't make you want to run out and buy something Canadian right away!

Congratulations to our other winners too: Kerry, Colleen, Fun with the Friesens and Jenn's World in Wynward!

WHY SHOP CANADIAN?

Be aware of the impact of your dollars.
Having recently lost my job in a food manufacturing plant, I can speak all too well about the importance of buying locally and Canadian. After 100 years of local production, your local grocery store will be stocking peas and corn from China……buyer beware as the label hasn’t changed much. The landscape around my neighbourhood has, as the effects are large on a small rural community.

“ A locally owned independent business returns approximately 80% of each dollar spent back to the community. Local, independent businesses assist the community through a “multiplier effect”: one dollar spent at a locally owned business will return five times that amount within the community through city taxes, employees’ wages, and purchase of materials and supplies at other independent businesses.”

While its hard to avoid “made in China” all the time, if you have the option choose “made in Canada”.

Choice makes for a richer community.
Canadian business contributes more than just goods and services. They offer personalized attention, add diversity to our shopping options, and build strong neighborhoods by sustaining communities and linking neighbours (across Canada). Specifically, entrepreneurship fuels our Canadian economic prosperity and innovation……

Canadians are unique.

And…..I love what awesome and creative “stuff” I can find for my little one!

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And thanks again to all of our fabulous sponsors!!

-Peekaboo Beans girls' Mame Tee and boys' Koi Tee (your choice of size)

-Pippalily sling in your choice of fabric and size

-A custom designed t-shirt from Red Fish Kids

-A six-pack of hairclips and a headband from Bugalug

-A stuffed creation from Fabricawakuwaku

-A pair of squeaky shoes from Little Squeaky Feet

-A pair of shoes from Little Soles

-Baby shower cards, birth announcements, thank you cards and mommy calling cards from Kanvas Ink.

-A tie shirt from Rock and Rattle