Answer
What is the difference between “Product of Canada” and “Made in Canada”?
“Product of Canada” is the stricter claim: at least 98% of total direct costs must be Canadian and the last substantial transformation must happen here. “Made in Canada” needs at least 51%, the same last-transformation test, and a qualifying statement about imported content. For food, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency applies its own, ingredient-based version.
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Side by side, for non-food goods
These are the Competition Bureau's thresholds for consumer and industrial goods that are not food.
| Product of Canada | Made in Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian share of total direct costs | At least 98% | At least 51% |
| Last substantial transformation in Canada | Required | Required |
| Qualifying statement on the label | Not needed | Needed, for example “with imported parts” |
Side by side, for food
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's guidelines do not use a cost percentage in the same way.
“Product of Canada” (or simply “Canadian”) means all or virtually all of the major ingredients, processing and labour are Canadian. Small amounts of ingredients not generally produced in Canada, such as spices, vitamins or coffee, are allowed; the CFIA describes “very little” as generally less than 2% of the product.
“Made in Canada” on food means the last substantial transformation happened in Canada and the label adds “from imported ingredients” or “from domestic and imported ingredients”. Every variation, including “Proudly made in Canada”, needs that statement.
Which one to look for
If you need the highest Canadian content, look for “Product of Canada”. “Made in Canada” with a qualifier is honest about imported inputs and can still mean most of the cost is Canadian. A qualifier with a number, such as “with 60% Canadian content”, tells you the most.
Either way, the label alone is the manufacturer's statement. A dated, independent review of that product line is stronger evidence. How to check if a product is actually Canadian.
Common questions
- Can a product with 99% imported parts say “Made in Canada”?
- Is “Canadian” on a food label the same as “Product of Canada”?
Sources
- Competition Bureau: “Product of Canada” and “Made in Canada” claims (enforcement guidelines)
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Origin claims on food labels
This page explains public guidance in plain language. It is not legal advice, and Checked Canadian is not a government body.
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