Some small businesses in Ottawa say they're still seeing customers deliberately spending their money closer to home this holiday season after U.S. tariff threats rattled Canadians earlier this year. At Maker House, a Hintonburg shop that sells only Canadian-made goods, founder Gareth Davies said the shift was immediate. (Cameron Mahler/CBC)Similar patterns are showing up at SFR Distillery in Ottawa, where salesperson Rachel Speakman says customers are increasingly asking about the origins of what they’re buying. “People are very excited to hear that it’s 100-per-cent Canadian product,” said Speakman, who works in the distillery’s stall at the Ottawa Christmas Market. However, Davies at Maker House said he hopes both the “buy Canadian” and “buy local” trends will persevere.

Source: CBC News December 21, 2025 15:29 UTC