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August 24, 2026

 Supporting Canadian and Local Businesses 

Every so often, a global event reminds us that the economy is not some distant concept discussed only in boardrooms, financial markets, or government offices. It is something we experience every day through the products we buy, the services we use, and the businesses we choose to support. 

Recent tariff announcements and growing trade uncertainty have once again shone a spotlight on just how interconnected Canada’s economy is with the rest of the world. For the construction industry, this is particularly evident. Materials, equipment, technology, and manufacturing components often cross multiple borders before arriving at a jobsite. Whether we are building homes, schools, hospitals, or infrastructure, our supply chains are global in nature. 

As an industry, we have always demonstrated resilience by supporting one another through changing market conditions. While global trade and supply chains will remain essential to our success, making a conscious effort to buy local and buy Canadian where practical can help strengthen the businesses and communities that support our industry every day. 

The reality is that no contractor, supplier, or business owner can simply switch to purchasing exclusively Canadian products. Nor should they be expected to. Price, quality, availability, specifications, and client requirements will always be critical factors in purchasing decisions. 

But perhaps there is an opportunity hidden within this moment. 

Rather than asking whether we can buy Canadian all the time, perhaps the better question is whether we can buy Canadian more often. 

The construction sector understands better than most the importance of investing in local capacity. Every day, Vancouver Island businesses rely on local contractors, consultants, suppliers, manufacturers, transportation companies, and service providers to keep projects moving. These relationships form the backbone of our regional economy. They are built on trust, reliability, and a shared commitment to the communities in which we live and work. 

This is not about criticizing international companies that do business in Canada. Many are major employers, important taxpayers, and valued members of the communities they serve. However, when Canadian businesses have the opportunity to compete, there is value in recognizing the broader economic impact of choosing them. Canadian-owned companies are more likely to keep decision-making, investment, and profits within Canada, helping to strengthen local businesses, support future growth, and build the economic resilience that communities such as those on Vancouver Island rely upon. Every purchasing decision may seem small in isolation, but collectively those choices help determine where investment flows and where future opportunities are created. 

The economic impact of these decisions is substantial. While a single purchase may seem insignificant, the collective purchasing power of British Columbia’s construction industry is enormous. If more businesses made a conscious effort to source products and services locally when practical, the cumulative effect would strengthen communities throughout the Island and across the province. 

Importantly, this is not a call for protectionism. Canada has long benefited from international trade, and our future prosperity depends on maintaining strong relationships with trading partners around the world. Trade creates opportunities, enhances competition, and allows businesses to access products and technologies that may not be available domestically. 

At the same time, recent years have taught us valuable lessons about resilience. The pandemic, supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, transportation challenges, and now renewed tariff concerns have all demonstrated the value of strong local networks. Businesses with trusted regional suppliers and established community relationships were often better positioned to adapt when disruptions occurred. 

Supporting local businesses is not always about finding the lowest price. It is about recognizing value in a broader sense. Local companies frequently offer faster response times, stronger customer service, greater accountability, and a deeper understanding of regional conditions. They understand the unique challenges of doing business on Vancouver Island and have a vested interest in the success of our communities. 

Fortunately, identifying local and Canadian suppliers has never been easier.  

Resources such as these make it easier to connect with Canadian-owned businesses and products when suitable options exist.  No one expects businesses to abandon established suppliers or disregard sound business practices. This is not about buying Canadian at any cost. Rather, it is about being intentional. When a local or Canadian option exists and can meet the requirements of the job, it deserves consideration. 

The construction industry builds more than structures. It builds communities, economies, and opportunities. Every purchasing decision is, in some small way, a chance to invest in the future we are collectively creating. 

Canadians have become accustomed to checking the news and discovering a new tariff, a revised tariff, a tariff exemption, or a pause on a tariff that was announced only days earlier. Rather than trying to predict the next twist in an increasingly unpredictable story, perhaps our energy is better spent strengthening what we can control. Supporting local and Canadian-owned businesses when practical is not about politics, protectionism, or picking sides. It’s about investing in the communities, workers, and industries that are already investing in us. Whatever comes next, that’s a strategy that should stand the test of time. 

Rory Kulmala 
CEO, Vancouver Island Construction Association