Together we can build a community that’s both locally rooted and nationally strong

On this page, you’ll find a quick-start guide to support our homegrown and Canadian economy. Whether you’re discovering new local Yonge and St. Clair businesses just around the corner from your home or office, or discovering homegrown options for your upcoming purchases and appointments you’ll find easy and practical tips below. Save and share this link: www.yongestclair.ca/proudlycanadian to stay in the loop.

Below are 4 Easy Ways to Kickstart Your ‘Buy Canadian and Buy Local’ Impact

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4 Easy Ways to Kickstart Your ‘Buy Canadian and Buy Local’ Impact

1. Start with Low Hanging Fruit

Some inexpensive ways to kickstart your impact and keep your dollars here at home include:

● Review and reconsider your online and paid subscriptions, and pause or cancel subscriptions

● Explore and discover local, homegrown businesses and services using the Yonge + St. Clair directory including local:

+ Arts + Retail
+ Food + Drink
+ Health + Wellness
+ Office + Services
+ Go to www.yongestclair.ca/whats-here

● Switch to Canadian big box stores. See the big Canadian list of places to shop as researched by Canadians (source: Reddit/r/buycanadian)

● Reconsider your payment methods and opt for cash or Canadian institutions to process your payments

● Use local or local taxi services instead of Uber or Lyft and consider international ride-share apps, ie. Hopp app (by Estonian-owned company, Bolt) now available in Toronto

● Choose Canada and local for your upcoming vacation

 

2. Spread the word.

 

Tell your friends and family about ways they can support local and Canadian. Suggest that people start with the above Low Hanging Fruit listed above. You can always revisit this page at: www.yongestclair.ca/proudlycanadian

 

3. Help improve the Yonge + St. Clair local directory.

 

You can help out in Yonge + St. Clair by using the local business directory yongestclair.ca/whats-here 

● Suggest additions to the existing list by contacting info@yongestclair.ca

● Correct errors in lists, our team will be happy to update the directory to make locations easier to find

● Share stories or purchases that are local or Canadian on your socials by tagging or mentioning Yonge + St. Clair on either Instagram or Facebook via @yongestclair or #yongestclair. We will repost your local and Canadian finds!

● Post reviews of local stores, goods and services so other people can discover them too (Google Maps, Yelp etc.)

● Inform us about brands, establishments, local businesses that support underrepresented demographics or have great ethical/sustainable practices in Yonge + St. Clair

The Yonge + St. Clair BIA team can be reached directly at info@yongestclair.ca

 

4. Remember the big picture.

 

Our goal is to increase our impact in a way we can sustain for the long haul. We do not have to 100% divest from non-Canadian products to move the needle, as many existing Canadian and local businesses will have existing inventories and stock already. It will still help the local economy thrive whenever you purchase or book appointments and services with them. Buying and supporting local, independent Canadian-owned shops that source goods from abroad still sustains the Canadian way of life instead of purchasing directly from American alternatives.

 

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You can email info@yongestclair.ca with any ideas, questions or concerns not covered on this resource page. Together we can build a community that’s both locally rooted and nationally strong