Canadian flags are a hot commodity in Winnipeg as tariff threats stoke patriotism
Letter from 5 former PMs asked Canadians to display their flags this Saturday
The desire to show off national pride by purchasing and displaying Canadian flags has risen sharply in recent weeks after the United States set up tariffs for goods imported from Canada.
Winnipeg stores selling Canadian flags and other memorabilia with the red maple leaf have seen more consumers buying such items, and one business believes this trend isn't going to slow down anytime soon.
Mathew Hobson is a sales associate at The Flag Shop, a 30-year-old business that sells a myriad of flags and banners — all of which are made in Canada — out of its Osborne Street location.
Hobson says in-person demand for Canadian flags has been massive. The recent launch of The Flag Shop's online store has only added to the flurry of activity it's seen since U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to levy 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods after his election.
"In terms of a Canadian flag, this is a good rallying cry to bring attention to the Canada flag and have proud Canadians flying their flags in their homes," Hobson said Wednesday.
Trump announced tariffs on aluminum and steel products on Monday. Canada's five living former prime ministers — Joe Clark, Kim Campbell, Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin and Stephen Harper — responded with an open letter Tuesday, asking Canadians to fly the maple leaf in a display of national pride.
"Since the letter went out this week, we've seen a significant jump in our sales," Hobson said.
WATCH | Former prime ministers ask for Canadians to display patriotism:
Saturday is Flag Day, which is held annually to mark the first time the red and white maple leaf flag was raised on Parliament Hill on Feb. 15, 1965, replacing the Canadian Red Ensign.
Hobson believes Winnipeggers are rallying around being Canadian and the letter from the ex-prime ministers has "obviously spurred people's attention" to show how proud they are to be Canadian.
"The one common thread that we've noticed is a lot of people are buying smaller Canadian flags because they're wanting to show their pride for the country," Hobson said.
"So we've been selling a lot more smaller flags. They're not necessarily going up on flagpoles, but people are hanging them in their apartment windows or something like that."
Ann Harwood usually hangs a Canadian flag in her window ahead of Canada Day. She purchased a large flag and two small ones at The Flag Shop Wednesday — the latter of which are likely destined for flower pots.
"I'm here to get my Canadian flags and support the prime ministers who encouraged us to do that. [I'm] just wanting to let our neighbours to the south know that they've really ticked us off," she said.
The cry to buy local and buy Canadian is something she's always stood buy, but it's taken on extra importance with the tariffs Trump has applied, with more potentially being added early next month.
"Now I'm zeroing in on it. I have some shopping bags that say I shop local. I've been using them for a number of years," Harwood said. "
"It matters, but it really matters now."
Flag had different meaning in 2022
Greg Barker thought it was time to show off his Canadian side, too.
He couldn't recall having previously purchased a Canadian flag, but the movement to buy local resonates with him to stop in at The Flag Shop to buy a large flag and a small one.
"Canadians are always quietly patriotic and maybe it's time to make a little more noise," Barker said.
He plans to put the large Canadian flag on his fence.
"One person won't do much, but if somebody sees it and says, 'I should do that' and maybe a few more people [do] just to show, you know, stop being so quiet," Barker said.
The flag took on a different symbol during the Freedom Convoy protests three years ago, being used as a symbol of truckers opposed to mandatory COVID-19 vaccination.
Barker says he'd never put a flag in the back of a truck.
"They ruined it for us," he said of the convoy protesters.
Winnipeg North MP Kevin Lamoureux said the flag has previously been used as a symbol of protest but that it's regularly used as a symbol of patriotism.
He and other MPs are given an annual allotment of Canadian flags, which he estimates is between 50 and 75. Lamoureux usually uses up his supply on Canada Day, but his Winnipeg office is already out of flags.
He visited a pair of dollar stores Wednesday seeking out more Canadian flags to have on hand, the first of which he said was sold out.
"The flag is a very important symbol, and I suspect given what's happening with the tariffs and President Trump, that that's what's really motivated a lot of people to reflect on just how fortunate we are to call Canada our home," Lamoureux said.
"They see the flags out — an important symbol of our country."
WATCH | Driven Winnipeggers want to show off their national pride:
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With files from Felisha Adam