Dawson City Residents Rally Around Buy Canadian Movement

The Buy Canadian movement in Dawson City, Yukon, remains a subject of community engagement seven months after its inception in response to the ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States. Residents and business owners initially embraced the initiative, pledging to prioritize Canadian-made goods. As of now, while some individuals continue to uphold their commitment, others observe a decline in the momentum that once characterized the movement.

Kyler Mather, owner of the General Store on Front Street, noted a shift in customer preferences. He stated that many shoppers are actively choosing Canadian-made or sourced products over foreign alternatives. Mather remarked, “I think a little while ago it seemed like maybe people weren’t quite on that bandwagon so much, but, you know, back in recent news [U.S. President Donald] Trump added more tariffs, or changed the tariffs, and it kind of brought it back up to the forefront.” He believes that as long as tariffs remain in place, the movement will likely persist.

Supporters of the Buy Canadian initiative express strong national pride. Dawson resident Nicolas Wettstein acknowledged that he is willing to forgo some of his favorite products to support local businesses. “I like to use Bush’s baked beans as an example,” Wettstein told reporters. “I love Bush’s baked beans but I haven’t bought a can in two months.” He emphasized his commitment to the movement, stating, “I don’t plan on travelling to the States or anything like that. So yeah, I’m trying my best to keep going with it.”

Just a short distance from the General Store, the Bonanza Market, managed by Nathan Naherniak, has also felt the effects of the movement. Naherniak mentioned that he has always aimed to stock Canadian products, even before the movement began. However, he has noticed a decline in the enthusiasm for supporting Canadian goods during the summer months. “It has lost a little bit of steam,” he said, adding that while the initial excitement has waned, customers still appreciate the availability of Canadian-made products.

At the height of the movement, approximately 70 percent of Naherniak’s customers inquired about the origin of products and opted for Canadian options. That figure has now decreased to around 40 percent. “It’s definitely dropped but it’s still there,” he observed. “The momentum is not there, and I think being kind of out of the news this summer… people tend to forget about issues.”

Randi Ostashek, an employee at the Bonanza Market, remains steadfast in her support for Canadian businesses, regardless of the prevailing trends. She expressed her belief in the importance of investing in local agriculture and industries. “We really should be investing in our own country first and doing what we can to feed our farmers and do what we can for our markets,” Ostashek stated. “You know, a little beef from Alberta never hurt nobody.”

The future of the Buy Canadian movement in Dawson City reflects broader sentiments about nationalism and local support in times of economic uncertainty. As residents navigate the complexities of trade and tariffs, their commitment to supporting Canadian businesses continues to play a significant role in shaping community dynamics.