Canadian Tire has topped the list of “most Canadian” brands, according to a Harris Poll Canada survey released last week.
For its research, The Stagwell agency, Harris Poll Canada polled 1,483 Canadians, with respondents asked to identify five brands that come to mind as most Canadian, with open-ended responses collected.
Canadian Tire was named by 39% of respondents, well ahead of second place Tim Hortons at 25%. The other “most Canadian” brands cited were Hudson’s Bay (14%), RBC (13%), Loblaw (12%), Bell (9%), Lululemon and Air Canada (8%), and Roots, Maple Leaf Foods, TD Bank, Petro Canada and Real Canadian Superstore each garnering 7%.
Rounding out the list of the Top performers includes Rogers, Molson, Scotiabank and Telus, each at 6%, and BMO, Bombardier, Canada Goose, Metro, Walmart, French’s and Sobeys (5%).
President’s Choice, CIBC, Dollarama and Giant Tiger were cited by 4% of respondents.
While most gave five brand or company names, 27% reported “I don’t know” (or something similar) at least one time, indicating more than one-quarter of Canadians cannot confidently name five brands they believe to be truly Canadian.
The research was conducted amid tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, which have prompted “buy Canadian” movements across the country, with local grocers joining in.
Metro, for example, said it is “working to optimize the visibility” of local and Canadian products in-store, online and on its various promotional tools like the weekly flyer. Sobeys, meanwhile, said it would amplify its buy local program.