Shop Canadian

The steps we take to make our garment Canadian?

 

Proudly Supporting Canadian Jobs, Communities, and Pride

At Canada Swag and Maritime Swag, we’re proud to be a small, family-run Canadian business — and we want to share something important with you about what it really means to shop Canadian today.

The honest truth is, cotton doesn’t grow in Canada.
It never has, and it never will. No matter where you shop — whether it's a big box store or a small business — if the garment contains cotton, the raw material had to come from warmer climates overseas.

Even companies founded in Canada, designing their products with Canadian standards and values, must source materials internationally. That’s simply the reality of our climate and our economy.

But here’s where the difference happens.
Once those blank garments land in Canada, it’s Canadian hands, Canadian workers, and Canadian businesses that keep the impact here at home.

  • Canadian distributors move these products across the country, employing hundreds of Canadians in warehouses, offices, and trucking operations.
  • Unionized shipping carriers like Purolator, UPS, and Canada Post deliver these goods — and your orders — coast to coast, providing good-paying, stable jobs for thousands of Canadians.
  • Small businesses like ours — a real mom-and-pop shop — take these garments and turn them into something that proudly represents who we are.

We’re not a corporation.
We’re Andrew and Louise, and a small but mighty team of five full-time employees who live right here in Nova Scotia.
We design, print, pack, and ship every single order ourselves. Our products are printed locally using transfers made by a Nova Scotia-based supplier — not by a factory overseas.

When you buy from us, you’re not just picking up a t-shirt or a hoodie — you’re directly investing in Canadian jobs, Canadian families, and Canadian communities.

The People Behind Every Package

We don’t just ship orders — we know the drivers who deliver them.
Our UPS driver has been delivering to our shop for over 15 years, working a union job that supports his family and builds a stable future.
Our Purolator driver has been part of our delivery network for over a decade, rain, snow, or sunshine — earning a living that strengthens his community too.
And when we use Canada Post, we’re supporting a national postal service employing tens of thousands of Canadians from coast to coast.

These are real people.
They’re part of your communities — and ours.
And every order you place helps keep them working too.

Why Your Support Matters More Than Ever

Small businesses like ours are the heartbeat of Canada's economy.

  • We sponsor local events.
  • We support charities and community initiatives.
  • We keep our dollars circulating in Canada — not funnelling profits to multinational corporations.
  • We help create jobs where they’re needed most: right here at home.

When Canadians choose small businesses, the benefits ripple through every community.
When Canadians don’t, the consequences are real:

  • Jobs are lost — not somewhere overseas, but right here.
  • Communities weaken — with fewer sponsors for events, teams, and fundraisers.
  • Our independence shrinks — and more power shifts to foreign corporations with no investment in our future.

The Reality About Apparel in Canada

The truth is, large-scale garment manufacturing in Canada is extremely limited.
Even brands that claim "Made in Canada" often rely on imported cotton — because Canada simply does not grow cotton.

Most of the world’s cotton comes from countries like the United States, India, China, Brazil, Pakistan, Turkey, and other warm-climate regions.
No matter where a shirt is made, the raw materials are globally sourced.

Our blank apparel — including Gildan products — is sewn in Central America and the Caribbean, helping avoid production in China wherever possible.
Some of the cotton does come from the U.S., which, unfortunately, is unavoidable.

And here’s another important fact:
If we were to use Canadian-made blank t-shirts, our costs would double or triple.
The t-shirts you see today for $26.99 would have to retail for $50 or more — just to cover the difference.

That's why we choose Gildan and other Canadian suppliers — keeping your apparel affordable, while still supporting Canadian businesses, Canadian jobs, and Canadian families.
It’s a balance between being realistic and responsible — and always doing our best to keep the biggest possible impact right here at home.

A Few More Important Facts:

✅ All our blank apparel is distributed by Canadian companies, supporting hundreds of jobs across the country.
✅ All our printing is done here in Nova Scotia, with a small Canadian supplier producing our graphics.
✅ All our shipping uses Canadian courier networks, employing thousands of hardworking Canadians.
✅ Every shirt is handled with care by a real Canadian team — not a robot, not an outsourced warehouse.

There is no truly “100% Canadian-made” cotton shirt.
But what we can do — and what we are proud to do — is make sure that every possible step after the fabric is sourced happens here at home, supporting real Canadian jobs.

We’re not a pop-up.

We’re not a fly by night company hiding behind a Canadian flag.

We’re a real Canadian small business and we have been selling regional pride products for since 2022 — a husband and wife, a few amazing employees, and a whole lot of heart.

When you buy from Canada Swag and Maritime Swag, you’re not just wearing your pride —
you’re fueling it.

From all of us, thank you for keeping Canadian pride strong — and for keeping Canadian jobs alive. ❤️

Proudly bringing a little Canadian and Maritime love to your doorstep,
— Andrew, Louise, and the Maritime Swag / Canada Swag Team

"Our promise to you is to offer Canadian hospitality & your satisfaction first."