Arctic Co-op to label Canadian products in light of trade war
Threat of steep tariffs remains on horizon; Canadian annexation into U.S. an apparent Trump desire
Shoppers can expect to see “Canadian-made” labels in some Arctic Co-op stores after member Co-ops requested the signs. (File photo)
Arctic Co-op Ltd., one of Nunavut’s biggest retailers, plans to equip stores with labels for Canadian-made goods in light of threats of a possible Canada-U.S. trade war.
“We’ve had some reach-outs from member Co-ops about a made-in-Canada push,” said Duane Wilson, vice-president stakeholder relations at Arctic Co-operatives Ltd.
Wilson spoke about the importance of providing information to consumers without forcing them to read the fine print on packaging.
The threat of tariffs has been hanging over Canada since U.S. President Donald Trump was elected in November. Weeks after the win, he announced 25 per cent tariffs on all goods coming into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico on “Day 1” of his administration, which was Jan. 20.
That date has since been pushed back to Feb. 1, Feb. 4 and now sits at March 4, with an added 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminum as of March 12.
Trump has used the tariff threats to highlight the U.S. trade deficit with Canada and to apply pressure for increased border security. But his administration has also signalled the tariffs are a tool to annex Canada into the U.S.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has rebuffed any suggestion Canada would become the 51st state and has promised retaliatory tariffs on American products coming into Canada.
He has also urged Canadians to “choose Canada,” promoting a “buy Canadian” movement in response to the potential trade war.
Wilson said this idea is a little more complicated for people in remote northern communities who are more reliant on sealifts.
“There’s going to be a little bit less of a capacity to affect domestic procurement if you’ve already got enough shelf-stable products to see you through until next summer sealift,” he said.
“At the end of the day, if we can help give consumers some indication of the country of origin, or at least if it’s of Canadian origin, then ultimately, they will vote with the choices they make right in store.”
A representative for North West Co., which operates both Northern stores and NorthMart, says it’s unclear whether there has been a shift or push in buying habits for Canadian products but will continue to support locally made products.
“Our teams work diligently, ensuring our customers continue to have access to a wide range of product offerings, to meet their family’s needs,” said Darryl Martin, director of marketing and communications at North West company in a statement.
“Supporting local is important for our customers and remains a priority for us.”
Canada’s premiers, including Nunavut premier P.J. Ageeagok were in Washington, D.C., this week to meet with U.S. government officials in an effort to dissuade the Trump administration from going ahead with the tariffs.
B.C. Premier David Eby told reporters Wednesday the premiers have made it clear to the Trump administration that annexation talk is a “non-starter.”
To which James Blair, Trump’s deputy chief of staff, replied on X: “We never agreed that Canada would not be the 51st state.”
Coop can’t even put the right price tags out maybe start with that before going woke ?
It’s woke to want to avoid products from a country literally saying they want to annex us?
the right becomes increasingly delusional and psychotic every day.
I don’t think you guys understand what woke means:
Woke: aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice)
That’s the old, outdated meaning. Current meaning is a practitioner of an intolerant and moralizing ideology who practices racism in the name of antiraciism.
You do not want woke people in your life, they tend to be far too oppressive and intolerant.
Woke? Patriotic maybe, but not woke.
Wouldn’t it be better on just focusing on getting prices correct, and actually having stock on the shelves.
If that’s a picture of Cam Bay Coop for instance if you don’t go on Thursday good luck getting any decent produce that and half that dairy section is gone instantly. You just end up at the Northern. That and its almost comical how badly prices are always messed up. Why is it cheaper to get two small products and has more ml or grams than the large version of that product. It’s always totally backwards, bulk is supposed to be cheaper, but pricing is always a disaster there.
American made, Canadian made, Mexico made I really don’t care honestly just please have something on the actual shelve to purchase and actually get a correct price on it. We seem to have way bigger fish to fry in the north when it comes to food and food security.
How about we just secure the borders and stop the flow of drugs! That’s a win win solution for both sides of the border. That’s all that was requested!!
Certainly, and can we get the Americans to secure the border and stop the flow of guns? Would that be a fair deal? In particular, let’s look at the reserves that straddle the border – a huge problem and something needs to be done.
he made a trade deal with us last time he was president, and then strong-armed us with tariffs to get border security, which we agreed to,
now he has announced NEW tariffs,
there is no negotiating with trump, we’ve agreed to border security, more tariffs are coming,
you cannot negotiate with someone who deals in that amount of bad faith,
we need to get our products elsewhere, the US is an Enemy while he is in charge
In the south having signage. That identifies the country of origin were products come from. May get you a few more customers. And may some good will.
Up here not going to make any difference. Just a waste of ink and time.
Country-of-origin on products. Every product already has country-of-origin on the label. Tariffmania. Another joke brought to you by the woke crowd. I’ll bet everything, including the kitchen sink, that every tariffmaniac is a covidmaniac, a climate maniac and a tribalmaniac
Will Coca Cola and Pepsi be bootleg now?
Where can I buy the NHL Stanley Cup from?
Northwest Company shares are mainly owned by American companies like Blackrock, Vanguard etc., the CEO of the Northwest Company earns about $4 million a year.The Company profits over $100 million a year.
Remember this the next time you go shopping at a Northern Store or North Mart.