Why buy Made in Quebec?

With the holiday season fast approaching, millions of dollars will be spent by Quebec households to spoil their loved ones and offer the gift that will please! We are talking here, according to a study carried out by the Quebec Retail Council , of an average of $634 per household, which will be devoted to the purchase of gifts and other expenses (food, alcohol, etc.) during the period. of Christmas. Imagine for a second the impact it would have if all the dollars spent during this period were returned to the local economy! A choice that is much easier to make these days with the initiatives that are multiplying; whether we are talking about repertoires like Signé Local or even the small markets that take place during the holiday season, all over the province.

Credit: VAX Films , at the Local Signed Market

However, the problem here is not having the choice to buy local or not. The heart of the problem is to make the decision to spend a few dollars more per item and possibly reduce the number of items purchased, for the sake of encouraging our local artisans and businesses and driving our economy.

It is obvious that if we had the choice between two identical articles, one produced here and the other imported, which are sold at the same price and have the same quality, the choice of the majority would turn to the locally produced article. . On the other hand, for two items of different quality, different countries of manufacture and different prices, the choice is much more difficult. This is where our biggest dilemma lies. How can we successfully assess the concrete impact of our purchasing decision when we are standing, on December 23, in the middle of a shopping center in the wake of last-minute purchases, with no benchmark or point of comparison.

Here is a brief summary of the concrete impacts behind your decision to buy locally:

• A possibly higher price, which translates into a quality, durable product and unparalleled customer service;

It is true that the product that is made in Quebec will possibly be more expensive than its equivalent made in Asia. However, you will probably keep the locally designed product much longer. Canada is recognized internationally for the quality products it manufactures and especially their durability. You can rest assured that the item procured won't last just one season, unlike its Asian equivalent...

Credit: Raccoon Skis

• Beneficial social repercussions, since you have the certainty that the craftsmen, farmers and companies behind the production of your goods and services are treated with respect and have adequate working conditions;

Tragedies like the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh in 2013 give many people pause for thought… but are too often forgotten afterwards. Occurring thousands of kilometers from here, the impact is not tangible enough to lead us to take concrete action to avoid this type of situation. It's rare that we remember this kind of event when we hold our $5 T-Shirt at Joe Fresh. It must be said… for a piece of clothing to be sold for $5 in stores, it surely did not cost very much to produce, to the detriment of the salary and working conditions of the person who made it. By buying products locally, we have the certainty that the craftsman behind the confection is treated in a humane way and with respect for his integrity. On this subject, I strongly urge you to watch the documentary The True Cost available on Netflix.

Credit: Yellow Fox

• The development of our economy, since each dollar spent on the purchase of a local product will be reinvested by the merchant in our economy;

It goes hand in hand, if I spend $1 on the purchase of a local product, this dollar will have the possibility of being entirely redistributed in the local economy. Indeed, a part will be paid in taxes and will promote the development of projects for our country, another part will be paid in salary to an employee hired locally, another will be reinvested in the company and the remaining portion will possibly be reinjected by the merchant. in the economy by a purchase that he will make with it.

Credit: Les Minettes

• A lower environmental impact and easier traceability, since the purchased product will not have to cross land and sea to get to you, thus reducing its C02 mark.

A large part of the cost of the goods that we pay is directly related to transport costs. Apart from increasing the cost of products, it also contributes to the pollution of our environment. And, it is not only the environmental impact related to transport that is important to take into account, but also the environmental production standards which are very different outside our country... it is not uncommon for textile factories will discharge chemicals into the waters following production, thus impacting the quality of life of the inhabitants of this country and directly degrading our environment.

Credit: Abitibi & co

• Eternal recognition and the most beautiful smile from the person behind the creation and production of your purchase, who wakes up every day, not with the idea of ​​making a lot of sales, but with a sparkle in her eyes, because you allow her to do what she loves most in life, and that… that is priceless!

To help you in your choice of gifts for the holidays, discover a list of 30 gift ideas – Made in Quebec version .

Credit: UNIK Printshop