Province Call to Action Launched to Strengthen Local Communities, Protect Jobs and Grow Ontario's Economy
Photo Caption: Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, is joined at Vineland Growers Co-operative in Jordan by Jim Bradley, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara; Sandra Easton, Mayor of the Town of Lincoln, and local councillors, Mike Mikolic and Anna Murre, along with Mike Ecker, President of Vineland Growers Co-operative; Matt Ecker, Sales and Business Development Manager at Vineland Growers Co-operative, and Phil Tregunno, Chair of Ontario Tender Fruit Growers.
NEWS
June 27, 2025
JORDAN – As established by the Protect Ontario through Free Trade within Canada Act, which unleashes billions in new economic opportunity by tearing down barriers to internal free trade and labour mobility, today, Friday, June 27, is Buy Ontario, Buy Canadian Day.
The initiative, held annually on the last Friday in June, urges local consumers to support local businesses and workers through programs such as Ontario Made, Ontario Wood, VQA Ontario and Foodland Ontario.
Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, joined local tender fruit growers and representatives of Niagara's grape and wine sector, along with municipal leaders, in Jordan this week to promote Buy Ontario, Buy Canadian Day, as well as Ontario Wine Week.
"I want to urge people across Niagara West to buy Ontario fruit and Ontario VQA wine products today to support our regional economy and to protect Ontario," said MPP Oosterhoff.
"Let's show our support for Ontario businesses, celebrate local workers and protect jobs by choosing Ontario-made and Canada-made products."
MPP Oosterhoff was joined by Jim Bradley, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara; Sandra Easton, Mayor of the Town of Lincoln, and local councillors, Mike Mikolic and Anna Murre, along with Mike Ecker, President of Vineland Growers Co-operative, and Phil Tregunno, Chair of Ontario Tender Fruit Growers, at Vineland Growers in Jordan to support Ontario Foodland fresh fruit.
At 180 Estate Winery in Jordan Station, MPP Oosterhoff was joined by Chair Bradley and Mayor Easton, local councillors, Mike Mikolic and Anna Murre, as well as Robert and Marzia Murdoch, Proprietors of 180 Estate Winery; Debbie Zimmerman, Chief Executive Officer of Grape Growers of Ontario; Grape King, Jeff Duc, local grape grower, Joe Schenck, and Erin Mitchell, President of Megalomaniac Wines, to promote Ontario-grown VQA wines.
From food and beverages to clothing and furniture, buying Ontario-made and Canadian-made products helps protect jobs and grow the provincial economy.
"As Niagara residents know, our region is home to an incredible diversity of innovative, dynamic and growing businesses across so many sectors that help Niagara stand out on the world stage," said Jim Bradley, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara.
"Today is an opportunity to recognize those businesses for the critical role they play in our economy, our culture and our identity. I encourage everyone to find opportunities in their daily lives to shop and support those local businesses that mean so much to us all."
"It is a pleasure to join our community in celebrating Buy Ontario, Buy Canadian Day - a day to recognize the hardworking growers, makers and businesses who contribute so much to our local economy and way of life," said Mayor Easton.
"From tender fruit and VQA wines to locally made goods and everyday essentials, choosing Ontario-made products is a meaningful way to support our neighbours, protect jobs and take pride in the quality we produce right here at home."
As a next step in its plan to protect Ontario by unleashing the province's economy, the Ontario government introduced the Protect Ontario through Free Trade within Canada Act this past April.
The legislation, which received Royal Assent in June, unlocks free trade and labour mobility within Canada, creating new opportunities for job creation and investment attraction, supporting economic integration across Canada and cutting costly and unnecessary red tape to help protect and grow Ontario and Canada's economies.
Starting this year, the last Friday of June will be dedicated to reminding consumers across the province to choose Ontario-made and Canadian-made goods, food and products to protect Ontario jobs and keep communities strong. The Ontario government is committed to supporting business and workers in the face of American tariff threats and global economic uncertainty and will pursue additional measures and supports to ensure stability and resiliency.
Quick Facts:
- The Protect Ontario through Free Trade within Canada Act established Buy Ontario, Buy Canadian Day, to be held annually on the last Friday in June to help consumers support local businesses and workers through programs such as Ontario Made, Ontario Wood, VQA and Foodland Ontario.
- Thirty-five per cent of Canada's trade takes place within its own borders.
- In a recent KPMG national survey, nine in ten Canadians say they want stores to promote Canadian products.
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