It's good to support Canadian owned business, but I'm not sure cutting out non-Canadian owned businesses is the way to go. Investments run both ways and it still employs Canadians and pays taxes (hopefully). Looking at the source of the product is more useful to me. When looking into fencing, Home Hardware was selling stuff made in China. Nothing wrong with it. Lowe's ( this was years ago ) similar fencing was made in Ontario.
Thank you for doing the work. Knowledge is power and most wouldn’t know where to look to find it. This article reveals what we wouldn’t have known to question
I realize it doesn’t fit with the six or more provinces you used, but a mention of Kent Building Supplies we have as a Canadian option in Atlantic Canada would be appreciated.
Thanks a bunch for researching this Bo! A great service to all Canadians! I always struggle with the choice between convenience and not buying US. In Edmonton and Calgary, Home Hardware has stayed out of the big cities and only have stores in smaller cities and towns in Alberta. I can drive out to a bedroom community to buy from them or I can drive 7 minutes to Home Depot or Canadian Tire. Frankly, the price difference doesn’t bother me but with the frequency that I have to pick up something from the hardware store, it’s hard not to end up at Home Depot.
Cuppla things. Rona got smacked for hanging “Proudly Canadian” banners. Next, the Giant Tigers I have visited have nothing that could be described as hardware, they are more like dollar stores. My go to place is Lee Valley, a Canadian manufacturer and retailer. I have introduced many people in my travelling days to this wonderful company. As a serious hobbyist, this always is the first stop. Peavey Mart is still missed, but I hear it is being revived. One major player also not mentioned was Co-op. Their presence, I think, is in virtually all communities in Western Canada.
I knew Rona was no longer Canadian, hence I don't shop there. We have BMR, Home Hardware, Giant Tiger and Timbermart near our cottage, so that's where we shop. I am one of many Canadian's who are doing their research and only buying Canadian. We are retired and spend 10 months at our cottage so not hard to support Canadian businesses and rural areas. But thanks for clarifying what I already knew!
Just an FYI, Windsor Plywood is a Canadian owned and operated franchised lumber store that sells everything you need to build a house from the outside to the inside and has locations in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan Manitoba, and the USA.
Thanks for this. I knew that Lowes had owned Rona and sold it but I read somewhere (?) that some stores were still Canadian owned. I should have dug deeper. Home Hardware has become my preferred store for lumber and hardware. The Western warehouse is less than an hour drive from where I live. And Canadian Tire is definitely on my list. I believe Windsor Plywood is also a Canadian owned franchise. They are a great place to find specialty woods and hardware items.
I remember Rona being acquired by the USA, knew Home Hardware was individual owners, assumed Castle, Timber Mart.
Canadian Tire, yes, you missed Coop Building centres here in the West where communities when communities own them. Not every community but frequent.
Being from Winnipeg i knew Princess Auto was Canadian.
At age 80 no longer have much interest or need for Hardware but lucky enough here in Cold Lake AB to have HH, Rona, and Canadian Tire. Home Hardware my choice for the odd item, Canadian Tire closer.
When I retired in 2007/8 in Winnipeg I worked at Home Depot in my old neighborhood and enjoyed it. 2008 thru 2013
Knew it was American but I had fun. They gave me a significant raise as they noticed how well I worked and trained the younger workers. Learned to operate all the machines and didn't put on my application that I could work any department from Seasonal, Electric, plumbing, lumber, tools, hardware. Never worked appliance or toilets. Retired building & plumbing inspector, built 3 homes for my family, father electrician.
It's good to support Canadian owned business, but I'm not sure cutting out non-Canadian owned businesses is the way to go. Investments run both ways and it still employs Canadians and pays taxes (hopefully). Looking at the source of the product is more useful to me. When looking into fencing, Home Hardware was selling stuff made in China. Nothing wrong with it. Lowe's ( this was years ago ) similar fencing was made in Ontario.
Wow, a wealth of information! Thank you for doing this , it is priceless!
McMunn & Yates is Canadian!
Thank you for doing the work. Knowledge is power and most wouldn’t know where to look to find it. This article reveals what we wouldn’t have known to question
I realize it doesn’t fit with the six or more provinces you used, but a mention of Kent Building Supplies we have as a Canadian option in Atlantic Canada would be appreciated.
Thanks a bunch for researching this Bo! A great service to all Canadians! I always struggle with the choice between convenience and not buying US. In Edmonton and Calgary, Home Hardware has stayed out of the big cities and only have stores in smaller cities and towns in Alberta. I can drive out to a bedroom community to buy from them or I can drive 7 minutes to Home Depot or Canadian Tire. Frankly, the price difference doesn’t bother me but with the frequency that I have to pick up something from the hardware store, it’s hard not to end up at Home Depot.
Where does Lee Valley sit in this picture?
Cuppla things. Rona got smacked for hanging “Proudly Canadian” banners. Next, the Giant Tigers I have visited have nothing that could be described as hardware, they are more like dollar stores. My go to place is Lee Valley, a Canadian manufacturer and retailer. I have introduced many people in my travelling days to this wonderful company. As a serious hobbyist, this always is the first stop. Peavey Mart is still missed, but I hear it is being revived. One major player also not mentioned was Co-op. Their presence, I think, is in virtually all communities in Western Canada.
I knew Rona was no longer Canadian, hence I don't shop there. We have BMR, Home Hardware, Giant Tiger and Timbermart near our cottage, so that's where we shop. I am one of many Canadian's who are doing their research and only buying Canadian. We are retired and spend 10 months at our cottage so not hard to support Canadian businesses and rural areas. But thanks for clarifying what I already knew!
Oh and my husband often shops at Princess Auto so good clarification on that as well!
Excellent article. Hubby needs a couple things at the hardware store today, I'm gonna push for Home Hardware!
Just an FYI, Windsor Plywood is a Canadian owned and operated franchised lumber store that sells everything you need to build a house from the outside to the inside and has locations in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan Manitoba, and the USA.
We have a locally owned timber mart in our community and it’s closer than Rona.
I usually go there but will make point of it from now on.
Thanks for this. I knew that Lowes had owned Rona and sold it but I read somewhere (?) that some stores were still Canadian owned. I should have dug deeper. Home Hardware has become my preferred store for lumber and hardware. The Western warehouse is less than an hour drive from where I live. And Canadian Tire is definitely on my list. I believe Windsor Plywood is also a Canadian owned franchise. They are a great place to find specialty woods and hardware items.
I remember Rona being acquired by the USA, knew Home Hardware was individual owners, assumed Castle, Timber Mart.
Canadian Tire, yes, you missed Coop Building centres here in the West where communities when communities own them. Not every community but frequent.
Being from Winnipeg i knew Princess Auto was Canadian.
At age 80 no longer have much interest or need for Hardware but lucky enough here in Cold Lake AB to have HH, Rona, and Canadian Tire. Home Hardware my choice for the odd item, Canadian Tire closer.
When I retired in 2007/8 in Winnipeg I worked at Home Depot in my old neighborhood and enjoyed it. 2008 thru 2013
Knew it was American but I had fun. They gave me a significant raise as they noticed how well I worked and trained the younger workers. Learned to operate all the machines and didn't put on my application that I could work any department from Seasonal, Electric, plumbing, lumber, tools, hardware. Never worked appliance or toilets. Retired building & plumbing inspector, built 3 homes for my family, father electrician.
Good management. But lots of bureaucracy.
I see Windsor Plywood occasionally.
David Clements Cold Lake Alberta T9M 1C3
Thank you for the indepth comment. I wanted to specifically focus on stores which have national exposure, in at least 6 or more provinces.
I thought some of the Rona Stores were still owned by the dealers.
What about Tim Horton's?
except for some of the doughnuts, not a hardware store. :)