How to check if a product is actually Canadian

How can I check if a product is actually Canadian?

Read the exact wording first: the Competition Bureau's published thresholds apply to “Product of Canada” and to “Made in Canada” with a qualifier. Then find out who made it and where, ask the seller for the manufacturer and product line, and look for an independent, dated review of that claim.

Last updated: September 18, 2026

1. Read the exact wording

“Product of Canada” and “Made in Canada” have published thresholds. “Designed in Canada”, “Canadian company”, “Assembled in Canada” or a maple leaf on the box say something narrower, or only imply origin. A Canadian-owned company can sell products made elsewhere. What “Made in Canada” means.

2. Find the manufacturer

Look for the maker's name and city on the label or the seller's page. A retailer's own brand may be made by someone else. You can search the directory of Canadian manufacturers by name, province and category.

3. Ask about the product line

A fair question for any seller: which plant makes this product line, where does its last substantial transformation happen, and roughly what share of its direct cost is Canadian? A manufacturer that has done the arithmetic can usually answer quickly.

4. Look for a dated, independent review

A claim reviewed on documents by someone other than the seller is stronger evidence than a label. On Checked Canadian, a checked listing shows the product line reviewed, the level, the review date and the expiry, and links to a public record page. Anything else on the directory is marked as self-declared.

A review covers one product line for one year. Check the date and the product line before relying on it.

5. Report claims that look wrong

The Competition Bureau accepts complaints about misleading origin claims on non-food products. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency handles food labels. Both are linked below.

Common questions

Does a maple leaf on the packaging mean it was made in Canada?

Not by itself. The Competition Bureau says a symbol like a maple leaf or flag can create the same impression as the words, so it expects the product to meet the same conditions. It is still only the seller's claim.

Is a Canadian-owned company's product Canadian-made?

Not necessarily. Ownership and place of manufacture are different things. Look at where the product line is made and what share of its cost is Canadian.