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.

 

Made Here Title Photo, a person is roasting coffee in a large metal machine

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

Ontario Made Logo

 

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

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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.

Learn more

Government of Canada Support

News Release
 

Ontario Taking Action to Protect Workers Amid Economic Uncertainty

Province delivering support to businesses, while making Ontario the best place in the G7 to invest, create jobs and do business

April 07, 2025

Office of the Premier
 

TORONTO — The Ontario government is providing approximately $11 billion in relief and support for workers and businesses as it protects the province’s economy from economic uncertainty and the impact of U.S. tariffs.

“In the face of President Trump’s attacks on Ontario’s economy, our government will do whatever it takes to protect Ontario workers and businesses. Today’s measures will help give workers and businesses the support they need in the face of growing economic uncertainty,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We can’t control President Trump, but we’re in full control of the kind of future we build for ourselves. The best way to protect Ontario is to build the most competitive economy in the G7, breaking down internal trade barriers and diversifying our trade so we can build a more resilient, prosperous and secure province.”

As a first step to support workers and businesses, the province is:

  • Deferring select provincially administered taxes for six months from April 1, 2025, to October 1, 2025, giving businesses and job creators approximately $9 billion worth of cash flow they need to keep workers employed and weather the economic turmoil.
  • Through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), issuing a further $2 billion rebate for safe employers to support businesses and help keep workers on the job, in addition to the previous $2 billion rebate distributed in March.

To protect Ontario’s economy, the government will deliver on its mandate to break down internal trade barriers, make the province’s economy the most competitive in the G7, including by speeding up timelines and approvals for development, as well as diversifying trading partners and helping businesses if they need to retool and retrain workers for new customers in new markets.

“We are ready to protect Ontario’s workers, businesses and families from the economic uncertainty of U.S.-imposed tariffs,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “Today’s measures help Ontario to weather the storm while continuing to build on our plan for ongoing prosperity.”

“In the last year, the WSIB provided historic, 50-year-low premiums to over 320,000 employers and surplus rebates to over 280,000 safe employers,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Ontario is looking to provide further relief to employers through an additional distribution that will help them keep workers on the jobs, whatever comes our way from President Trump.”

“In the face of economic uncertainty, Ontario stands ready with a plan that will defend the interests of our families and workers, protect our economy and jobs, and build a strong, stable future for generations to come.” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

The government is ready to do whatever is necessary to protect Ontario.

Quick Facts

  • Ontario is granting relief to businesses remitting taxes under Ontario’s 10 business-focused tax programs, including the Employer Health Tax, Insurance Premium Tax, Gasoline Tax, Fuel Tax, Mining Tax, Tobacco Tax, International Fuel Tax Agreement, Beer, Wine & Spirits Tax, the Retail Sales Tax on Insurance Contracts and Benefit Plans and the Race Tracks Tax.
  • Providing up to $9 billion in cash flow support to about 80,000 Ontario businesses by offering six months of interest and penalty relief will allow them to temporarily delay payments for select provincially administered taxes, giving them more flexibility to deal with any challenges resulting from U.S. tariffs.
  • The six-month period begins April 1, 2025, and ends October 1, 2025. All taxes owed must be paid by October 1, 2025.
  • The WSIB surplus rebate announced last November returned $2 billion in surplus funds to Ontario businesses. Eligible businesses who are safe employers received their distribution amount in March.
  • Last year, the government also provided additional support for workers by removing the $150 fee for apprentices taking their first Certificate of Qualification exam, saving each apprentice at least $330 in total when combined with other fee removals and deductions that the province has implemented since 2019.
  • The province also unlocked $400 million in health and safety programs for workers and employers developed by the WSIB, to support workers and ensure they have the supports they require.

For full news release visit: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1005740/ontario-taking-action-to-protect-workers-amid-economic-uncertainty

Get up to $50,000 to cover 50% of the costs of exporting products or services to countries where you have little or no sales currently. Applications open until May 31, 2025 - CanExport SMEs funding

The Canadian Government announced it is expanding a work-sharing program to let employers (if necessary) cut hours while keeping workers in their jobs with income support. It is funded through the employment insurance benefits that workers and employers pay into.

Learn more

Webinar on Tariffs and Canadian/US Trade 

 

There is an upcoming webinar on Tariffs and Canadian/US Trade on March 19th at 10:00 AM EDT, organized by the Consulate General of Canada in Boston (English only). 

 

This session, hosted by Foley & Lardner LLP, while not directly linked to investment, will provide insights into the evolving tariff landscape between the US and Canada and its potential impact on Canadian businesses. Topics covered will include:

 

  • mitigation strategies
  • tariff exclusions
  • intra-company trade
  • contracting strategies
  • predictions for the future of tariffs 

 

Please note that a Q&A period will be dedicated for Canadian companies seeking advice on their specific situations. 

 

To register, click on the following link: Tariffs and Canadian/US Trade – What you need to know. Tickets, Wed, Mar 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite. 

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.

Canada-US Trade Tracker

Looking for more help?

We provide 1-on-1 assistance

Speak to a member of our team.

 

  

Local partners

Are you aware of these organizations?

Harvest Hastings
Community Futures
Made in Quinte
Small Business Centre