City of Williams Lake launches “Made in Canada” sticker initiative

The City of Williams Lake is showing its support for Team Canada by launching “Made in Canada” stickers early today.

The stickers will mark which products are made and produced in Canada, supporting local businesses and helping shoppers make informed shopping decisions.

“We know this is very topical, and that Canadians and people in our community are very concerned about what is going on in the South,” says Beth Veenkamp, Manager of Economic Development for the City of Williams Lake.

“We wanted to make it as easy as possible for businesses to be able to participate and mark their products that are Canadian-made within their stores. No matter who their corporate ownership might be.”

This is part of a nationwide move to support Canadian business and production with U.S. President Donald Trump’s looming threat of tariffs. The U.S. president has already imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Veenkamp says this initiative is not to discourage residents from shopping at stores with corporate ties to the United States and sell U.S.-made products. Stating those businesses still provide economic stability within the community.

“We would never tell residents to stop shopping at these businesses,” Veenkamp says. “We want to make it easier for businesses to highlight Canadian-made products so residents can make informed purchasing decisions.”

This initiative is in part in response to Mayor Surinderpal’s call to support “Team B.C., and Team Canada” in the last City Council Meeting on Feb. 5. In the meeting, Mayor and Council encouraged the residents of the Lake City to shop and buy local in support of Canada and Williams Lake.

The “MADE IN CANADA” stickers are available at no cost to businesses and can be found at City Hall, the Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce in the Tourism Discovery Centre, and the Downtown Williams Lake Business Improvement Area Office.

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**This story has been updated to have direct quotes from Beth Veenkamp.**