As trade tensions rev up and governments threaten to slap on import duties, the Great White North’s proud car industry is feeling the heat. Jobs are at risk, prices are climbing, and manufacturers are nervously watching their spreadsheets. But all is not lost! If you’re wondering how to help keep Canada’s wheels spinning (literally), you’ve come to the right place. Here are 25 ways to support Canada’s auto sector.
Buy Canadian-Made Cars (Yes, That Includes the Ones with the Maple Leaf Secretly Hidden Inside)
The Canadian government has initiated a CA$2 billion strategic fund to bolster domestic auto production and safeguard jobs. Automakers like Honda and Toyota continue to produce popular models such as the Civic, CR-V, and RAV4 in Canadian plants. By choosing these vehicles, consumers not only support local businesses but also help stabilize the economy during this trade crisis. Plus, supporting homegrown automakers keeps money and jobs in Canada. Look for VINs that start with 2—they’re made right here!
Choose Canadian Auto Parts Suppliers
The Canadian auto sector, a significant contributor to the national economy, directly employs over 125,000 individuals in vehicle assembly and parts manufacturing, with an additional 380,000 in distribution and aftermarket services. By sourcing from domestic suppliers, consumers and businesses help maintain this employment and economic stability. Opt for parts from Canadian companies like Magna International, Linamar, or Martinrea when repairing or customizing your ride. It’s like feeding your car maple syrup but with bolts.
Gas Up at Canadian-Owned Stations
Amid escalating U.S. tariffs on Canadian auto imports, supporting Canadian-owned gas stations has become a tangible way for consumers to bolster the domestic auto industry. The 25% tariffs imposed by the U.S. have disrupted the integrated North American auto supply chain, leading to increased costs and potential job losses in both countries. So, fuel your patriotic spirit and vehicle using Petro-Canada or Husky, which funnel profits into the local economy instead of sending loonies south of the border.
Book Repairs at Canadian-Owned Auto Shops
Skip the giant multinational chains and support local mechanics and garages. They know how to fix your car and make small talk about the Leafs’ playoff chances. Furthermore, patronizing Canadian-owned shops reinforces community resilience and ensures the longevity of local expertise in automotive services. In the face of trade uncertainties, such consumer choices play a pivotal role in maintaining the vitality of Canada’s automotive industry.
Advocate for Pro-Auto Policies
Write to your MP like a polite yet passionate Canadian. Pro-auto policies should emphasize incentivizing domestic production, investing in supply chain resilience, and promoting purchasing Canadian-made vehicles. For instance, manufacturers like Toyota, Honda, and General Motors have significant operations in Ontario, collectively employing over 70,000 individuals. Encouraging consumers to buy domestically produced vehicles can help sustain these jobs and bolster the economy. So, push for subsidies, tariff relief, and EV incentives that favor Canadian manufacturing.
Support Auto Workers’ Unions
Groups like Unifor are fighting the good fight for fair wages and jobs. Unifor, representing 37,000 autoworkers, has condemned these tariffs and pledged to protect Canadian jobs through direct action. Prime Minister Mark Carney has also denounced the tariffs as a “direct attack” on Canadian workers, promising a $2 billion strategic response fund to bolster the sector. By supporting these unions, Canadians can help maintain domestic manufacturing, preserve jobs, and ensure economic resilience.
Invest in Canadian Auto Stocks
Key Canadian companies like Magna International, a leading auto parts supplier, and AutoCanada, a major dealership group, are pivotal to the industry’s resilience. The government offers tariff exemptions to automakers maintaining or increasing production in Canada, incentivizing local investment. A six-month tariff relief for essential U.S. auto parts also provides temporary supply chain stability. By investing in these companies, individuals can contribute to sustaining Canada’s auto industry during this challenging period, supporting economic stability and the livelihoods of thousands of workers.
Share Canadian Car Content on Social Media
To support the industry, consider sharing Canadian car content on social media, highlighting vehicles manufactured domestically, such as the Chevrolet Silverado from Oshawa or the Toyota RAV4 from Cambridge. Promoting Canadian-made vehicles supports local jobs and underscores the importance of a resilient and integrated North American auto sector. So, show your followers the horsepower behind the headlines, whether it’s a slick new model built in Cambridge or a behind-the-scenes tour of the Oshawa assembly plant.
Encourage Dealerships to Stock More Canadian-Made Vehicles
Talk to your local dealer. Tell them you want to see more Canadian-assembled models in the showroom. They listen more than you’d think (especially if you bring donuts). Dealerships can capitalize on this trend by prominently labeling Canadian-made vehicles, appealing to national pride and economic resilience. This strategy not only supports local jobs but also mitigates the impact of tariffs on consumers, fostering a more robust and self-reliant automotive sector.
Vote With Your Wallet on Aftermarket Accessories
Window tinting? Floor mats? Backup cams? Choose Canadian brands and manufacturers whenever possible. The automotive aftermarket industry in Canada is a significant part of the economy, employing approximately 380,000 people in distribution, aftermarket sales, and service. By purchasing aftermarket accessories from Canadian sources, consumers can help mitigate the impact of these tariffs on domestic businesses and workers. This support is crucial as the industry faces increased costs and potential disruptions due to trade tensions. Your cupholders deserve it.
Book Road Trips to Auto Towns
Promoting road trips to key auto manufacturing towns can support Canada’s automotive industry amid the current tariff crisis. These regions, such as Windsor, Oshawa, and Ingersoll in Ontario, are integral to Canada’s auto sector, which employs over 125,000 people and contributes significantly to the economy. So, vacation in places like Oshawa, Windsor, and Oakville.
Drive Smart, Drive Less
Use your car responsibly and extend its life. Fewer breakdowns mean fewer imported parts, which takes a little pressure off the supply chain. Consumers can contribute by adopting sustainable transportation practices to support the industry further. Reducing unnecessary driving, carpooling, and maintaining vehicles to optimize fuel efficiency lowers personal expenses and decreases overall demand for new vehicles. This collective effort can help stabilize the market and support Canadian manufacturing during this challenging period.
Buy Used Canadian Cars
A well-loved Toyota Corolla from Alliston is just as patriotic the second time. Buying used keeps Canadian-made cars on the road longer. Canada’s government has also introduced measures to support the industry, such as performance-based remissions that allow automakers to import a limited number of U.S.-made vehicles without extra tariffs, provided they continue production and investment in Canada. Plus, by buying used Canadian cars, consumers can play a pivotal role in bolstering the nation’s auto sector during these challenging times.
Encourage Youth Into Auto Careers
Want to save Canada’s auto industry from sputtering out during the tariff crisis? It is time to shift gears and get youth revved up for careers in the automotive sector! We can’t let this economic engine stall with over 500,000 jobs tied to auto manufacturing and parts. The average skilled tradesperson in auto earns $60,000–$90,000/year, and with boomers retiring faster than you can say “torque converter,” we need a new generation of wrench-wielding wizards.
Attend Canadian Auto Shows
Support events like the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto. These events aren’t just about ogling shiny cars; they’re about rallying behind an industry employing over 550,000 Canadians. By attending, you’re not just admiring sleek designs but fueling an $8 billion support fund for auto workers. So, grab your toque, channel your inner gearhead, and show some love for Canadian wheels. Nothing says “I care” like drooling over a maple-leaf-emblazoned muscle car.
Lobby for Canadian EV Incentives
EV sales in Canada hit a record 11.8% in 2023, but we’re still trailing the global average. Incentives could juice domestic demand and attract investments. Just ask Windsor—Stellantis and LG are building a $5B EV battery plant there. Why not roll out the red carpet (electric blue?) for more? Boosting EV adoption also cuts emissions, and our climate plan could use a turbo boost. Plus, who doesn’t want more jobs making zippy, zero-emission rides instead of exporting car dreams to the U.S.?
Promote Canadian Auto Journalism
Support Canadian car reviewers, magazines, and bloggers. According to Automotive News Canada, the sector employs over 125,000 Canadians directly. Yet, solid local reporting is critical with auto plants shifting gears and export costs rising. Also, publications like The Globe and Mail’s Drive, Auto123, and Driving.ca ensure our auto knowledge doesn’t stall. So, share an article, follow a Canadian car critic, or even—gasp—subscribe. Behind every great ride is someone who wrote about it first, probably after being thrown around a test track with a GoPro and mild whiplash.
Push for Localized Battery Production
When life gives you tariffs, make batteries locally! Canada’s auto industry is caught in a geopolitical traffic jam, with the U.S. and China hurling trade tantrums like toddlers with toy trucks. One shock-absorbing solution? Localized battery production. EVs are the future—ask GM, Ford, or anyone behind a Tesla doing 10 under the limit. Canada’s got the goods: critical minerals (like lithium in Quebec and cobalt in Ontario), skilled labor, and renewable energy. Bonus: less shipping = fewer shipping delays = fewer excuses.
Encourage Fleets to Buy Canadian
During the ongoing tariff telenovela (thanks to global politics), Canada’s auto industry needs a boost—ideally on cruise control. With over 500,000 Canucks employed in auto manufacturing and dealerships, every fleet purchase made north of the 49th parallel helps keep our economy humming louder than a Mustang GT. Canadian-made vehicles like the Chrysler Pacifica (Windsor), Toyota RAV4 (Woodstock), and Honda CR-V (Alliston) are world-class rides—built with maple syrup-grade precision. Plus, buying domestically helps avoid potential cross-border price hikes caused by tariffs.
Take Factory Tours (When Available)
Get an up-close look at Canadian manufacturing. Visit the CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, where General Motors assembles the BrightDrop electric van. Or take a trip to Oshawa, the city that once crowned itself the “Automotive Capital of Canada,” now revving back to life with Chevy Silverado production. By touring these facilities, you’re not just admiring shiny machines but fueling an industry under pressure. Plus, you might get to wear a hard hat—who can resist that?
Celebrate Automotive History
Time to buckle up, Canada — we’re taking a joyride down memory lane to Celebrate Automotive History! Why? Because during the tariff crisis, nothing revs national pride (or the economy) like supporting our homegrown horsepower. Remember the Ford Model T? It rolled into Windsor in 1904, turning the city into the birthplace of Canada’s auto biz. Or how about the Chevy Camaro, built with maple-syrup-fueled muscle in Oshawa? Even Toyota and Honda loved Canada enough to set up shop in Ontario!
Defend Canadian Auto Workers in Conversations
If Canadian auto workers vanished tomorrow, your car wouldn’t just cry—it’d file for therapy. These folks build over 1.4 million vehicles yearly, not counting the coffee-fueled miracles they pull off during snowstorms. The auto industry pumps $16 billion annually into Canada’s GDP and supports over 125,000 direct jobs. Tariffs? They’re like slapping a maple syrup tax—everyone loses. U.S. automakers rely on cross-border parts faster than you can say “drive-thru double-double.” Not to mention, one car can cross the Canada-U.S. border up to 7 times before it’s ready to vroom. That’s something.
Buy Canadian-Made Tires (If You Can Find Them)
Though rare, some Goodyear and Bridgestone tires are made in Canada. Check the codes and support rubber that rolled off a Canadian line. Michelin employs over 3,000 Canadians and manufactures millions of tires annually. It’s not just patriotic—it’s practical. Fewer transport miles = smaller carbon footprint = smug satisfaction. And hey, with every Canadian-made tire, you’re not just rolling down the road—you’re rolling out economic support. So next time you’re tire-kicking, ask your dealer if those treads are born-and-raised Canadian. If not, keep spinning till you find some that are, eh?
Encourage Trade Schools to Expand Auto Programs
The demand for skilled labor is real. Trade schools can grease the wheels by training the next-gen auto pros—think of them as the pit crew for Canada’s industry, ready to tackle everything from electric vehicles to smart tech. More programs mean more workers, innovation, and less time in traffic jams. So, let’s fuel this engine of opportunity—because when Canada’s auto industry runs well, the whole economy rides shotgun!
Just Be Loud About It
When tariffs started raining down like an uninvited party guest, Canada’s auto industry got a serious buzzkill. Enter the heroic campaign, “Just Be Loud About It!”—because if Canada’s auto workers and companies have to fight foreign tariffs, they might do it with some noise! Fact checks: In 2018-2019, the U.S. slapped tariffs on steel and aluminum, key ingredients for those sweet rides rolling off Canadian assembly lines. This tariff tango threatened to crank car prices and hurt thousands of hardworking Canadians. But Canada fired back, rallying with protests, social media storms, and a whole lotta honking horns.
22 Times Canadian Ingenuity Left the U.S. in the Dust
When people think of innovation, they often picture Silicon Valley. However, Canada has a history of innovation, too. Whether it’s redefining sports, revolutionizing medicine, or just showing America up at its own game, Canadian inventors, thinkers, and dreamers have had their fair share of mic-drop moments. Here are 22 times Canadian ingenuity left the U.S. in the dust.
22 Times Canadian Ingenuity Left the U.S. in the Dust
