How to identify Quebec products if you're boycotting U.S. goods
Some vowing to buy local to protest incoming tariffs from southern neighbour
Some Quebecers are boycotting American products after U.S. President Donald Trump announced he would slap 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports — a measure that has been paused for at least 30 days, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday. .
Ahead of the looming threat, Trudeau has encouraged Canadians to choose local products when possible to support businesses that may be impacted.
He urged consumers to check labels before buying food at the grocery store.
If you've chosen to join the movement, how can you ensure the products you're buying are from Quebec.
How to find local products in stores
Aliments du Québec, a non-profit organization which promotes the agri-food industry, has more than 25,000 verified products.
If you see an Aliments du Québec label on the packaging, it means that the product is "entirely made from ingredients sourced in Quebec or composed of a minimum of 85 per cent of main ingredients from Quebec."
Why 85 per cent and not 100 per cent?
The organization's website indicates that this flexibility gives more leeway to less important ingredients such as herbs, spices, flavours or preservatives. For example, a piece of Quebec pork that contains herbes de Provence could be eligible for a tag.
All processing and packaging operations must also be carried out in the province for products to be certified.
The non-profit's Aliments préparés au Québec label points to foods processed and packaged in the province.
"Products must also be composed of local ingredients, when these are available in Quebec in sufficient quantity," reads the website.
It also features a list of local foods labelled Aliments du Québec and another with products labelled Aliments préparés au Québec, ranging from dairy products to fruits and vegetables as well as meat.
The Quebec government's website also shares different ways to find local foods:
- Shopping at public markets, farm kiosks.
- Subscribing to food baskets.
- Picking products at producers' farms.
- Attending agricultural exhibitions.
Wine and other alcoholic beverages
On Sunday afternoon, the Quebec government announced that it asked the provincial liquor board, the Soci été des alcools du Québec (SAQ), to remove all American products from its shelves starting Tuesday. The changes may take a few days to be fully implemented.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the SAQ, Linda Bouchard, said that the board is complying with the directive and already offers "numerous products from here and around the world that customers can turn to."
If you're looking to buy local wines and other alcoholic beverages, the SAQ's website highlights three labels for you to choose from:
- Origine Québec: crafted by local artisans with local ingredients.
- Préparé au Québec: developed or distilled by Quebecers, with ingredients from the province and elsewhere.
- Embouteillé au Québec: assembled and bottled by a Quebec business by people who live here.
Manufactured goods
If you're looking to buy local non-food products, Les Produits du Québec has three certifications that make them easier to find online or in stores:
- Produit du Québec: a manufactured product for which at least 85 per cent of the direct costs for materials and other inputs, their processing and assembly are incurred in Quebec.
- Fabriqué au Québec: a product is considered to be manufactured in Quebec if its last substantial transformation takes place in Quebec, meaning a fundamental change in form, appearance or nature that gives the product its essential characteristics.
- Conçu au Québec: a manufactured product whose design staff is located entirely in Quebec.
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