this post was submitted on 22 Jan 2025
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Canada shouldn't retaliate with US tariffs - Cory Doctorow (pluralistic.net)
submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by theacharnian@lemmy.ca to c/canada@lemmy.ca
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Canada should not respond to potential U.S. tariffs with retaliatory tariffs, as this would primarily harm Canadian consumers by driving up prices. Instead, Canada should leverage its industrial and technological capabilities to undermine the monopolistic rent-seeking of American corporations by legalizing and promoting third-party modifications, repairs, and alternative marketplaces for technology, agriculture, and other industries. By dismantling restrictive intellectual property laws—many of which were imposed under the USMCA trade agreement—Canada could become a global hub for jailbreaks, independent app stores, and right-to-repair solutions, thereby reducing dependence on U.S. tech monopolies and fostering a new high-tech economy that directly benefits Canadian consumers and businesses.

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[–] potate@lemmy.ca 46 points 2 days ago (4 children)

COVID was a wake up call for me. As we struggled to get masks, ventilators, and vaccines, I realized that we make incredibly little here in Canada.

I now do my best to EXCLUSIVELY buy Canadian. I'm admittedly privileged to be able to afford to, but it isn't that much more expensive if you approach it from the perspective of buying a few quality products rather than tons of crap.

For footwear, Boulet Boots makes great summer and winter weight boots for about $300. Made just outside Trois Riviere. It's a lot of money - but they can also be resoled, repaired and still look new in their second winter.

Most of my pants and shirts are from Common Manufacturing out of Winnipeg. $150-$200 for a shirt and $170 for a set of chinos. I used to buy Banana Republic type stuff for about half the price but I would destroy them within a year. Common offers free repairs for life but I haven't needed to use it yet.

My belts and watch straps are from Popov Leather in Nelson, BC.

Pots and pans from Meyer in PEI.

When I tossed my black plastic kitchen tools, I replaced them with beautiful hand carved wood replacements from a local craft fair.

Every time I need something I go looking for who is making it in Canada. It's fun, I get to support small business, and I enjoy the higher quality - even if I have less shirts.

[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 18 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I realized that we make incredibly little here in Canada.

I watch the show Shark Tank (US), and they ALWAYS push for "make it in China to bring down prices", like it's only about price.

We have the same mindset here in Canada, so products that could/should be made here are produced in China, and then shipped here (how's that carbon footprint, now, eh?).

I also do my best to buy Made in Canada items. It hurts the wallet for sure to be paying 5-10x more for something. I only hope that it matters.

[–] cyberpunk007@lemmy.ca 9 points 1 day ago

Yeah, I think Canadians need to consume less overall, but consume more Canadian products.

[–] yarn@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 day ago

I made the same move, during the same time, for the same reasons. I am incredibly lucky to be able to buy higher priced items made in country, and I would rather that money stay in Canada supporting Canadian businesses.

I've recognized I don't need more stuff, and the stuff I do buy should be built to last as long as possible. Love the recommendations!

[–] Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Reigning Champ is a made in Canada brand that makes good quality clothes. I spent about $130 on a pair of shorts and they immediately became my favorite ones (vs my old navy ones).

[–] glibg@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Just checked out their site. The first thing I looked at (a pair of joggers) says they're made in Sri Lanka...

[–] Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Hmm you're right. I just looked at a bunch of different pants, saw made in Portugal (cloth made in Italy), Vietnam (cloth made in Japan), Sri Lanka, and Canada (stopped looking at that point).

I just checked the labels on the two pairs of shorts and one pair of sweatpants I've got and they are all made in Canada.

I might have found them during a "not made in China" search rather than a "made in Canada" search. Thanks for pointing that out, though, because I had them firmly under the "made in Canada" label when I first commented.