The viral “Canada is not for sale” hat reveals the tough reality of domestic manufacturing in Canada
Ottawa: So, you know that viral hat that says “Canada is not for sale”? Well, it all started with Liam Mooney and Emma Cochrane. They came up with the idea after hearing Doug Ford talk about Canada and the U.S. It’s been a wild ride since then.
These two marketers quickly learned that making a hat entirely in Canada is no walk in the park. They’ve been trying to find local manufacturers but keep hitting roadblocks. Most places just don’t make hats here anymore because it’s too pricey.
Mooney described it like trying to swallow a bowling ball. They’ve found some hats made in Canada, but they’re mostly relying on imports from places like Vietnam and China. It’s a real challenge, especially since Canada’s textile industry has taken a hit over the years.
Back in the day, Canada had a booming apparel industry, but by the 1980s, most of it moved overseas. Cheaper labor and materials made it hard for local businesses to compete. Now, Canada doesn’t even rank among the top clothing exporters.
But here’s the kicker: Canada is a big player when it comes to importing clothes. They’re sixth in the world! Most of what’s left in Canada is military or extreme weather gear, and even that isn’t fully made here.
Mooney and Cochrane’s hats are priced between $45 and $55, which is a lot more than what people expect to pay for a cap. They realized that if they wanted to make it ethically in Canada, the price would have to go up. It’s a tough pill to swallow for consumers used to cheaper options.
After Ford wore their hat at a meeting, orders skyrocketed. They had to figure out how to produce thousands of hats quickly. They’re currently embroidering in Toronto, cranking out about 1,000 hats a day. It’s been a journey, but they’re grateful for the support they’ve received.
Mooney said it best: “When the chips are down, we stand together.” It’s nice to see that kind of solidarity in Canada.
