I'm a mom who switched to 'Buy Canada' 6 years ago. It takes certain sacrifices, but I wouldn't go back.
A stay-at-home mom shares how she buys 95% Canadian on a budget, from local produce and meat to secondhand clothes, and why she won't go back.
Sarina Cornthwaite, a 35-year-old stay-at-home mom from Muskoka, Canada, has been participating in the Buy Canada movement for six years. She switched to buying Canadian products six years ago when the pandemic hit and small businesses in her town started closing. Sarina prioritized buying local products due to the cancellation of many imports and the uncertain scale of the situation.
She has found ways to balance her budget while supporting Canadian businesses and products. While some items are more expensive to buy locally, she has adapted her budgeting accordingly. Sarina's family now spends around CA$900 to CA$1,000 monthly on groceries, up from CA$600 to CA$700 a couple of years ago. They allocate extra funds toward high-quality local meat and seafood.
She aims to buy around 95% Canadian products but makes exceptions when necessary. Sarina shops at an Asian supermarket for sauces and clothing from local boutiques to stay on budget. The Buy Canada movement has inspired her and many others, with friends and family joining in and discovering new Canadian brands. She stays informed through social media and shares Canadian alternatives to popular brands with her friends.
Written by urgent.news from Business Insider's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
