Conservatives Introduce the “Made in Canada Flag Act” to Strengthen Transparency and Support Canadian Manufacturers
Ottawa, ON – Today, Doug Shipley, Conservative Member of Parliament for Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, introduced Private Member’s Bill C-281, the Made in Canada Flag Act, that would require Canadian flags sold in Canada to clearly display their country of origin.
Currently, there is no requirement for Canadian flags manufactured abroad to be labelled with their country of origin. This creates a loophole that allows imported products to be marketed without transparency.
“This is about honesty and fairness,” said MP Shipley. “Canadians deserve to know where their flag comes from. If it is made in Canada, that is something to be proud of. If it is not, Canadians still have a right to make an informed choice.”
“If Canadians want to buy Canadian-made flags, the choice should be obvious.”
The proposed legislation would require Canadian flags that meet minimum size requirements to display a country-of-origin label directly on the product, as well as on its packaging.
Bill C-281 will:
- Close a loophole that allows foreign-made flags to be sold without clear origin labelling
- Support Canadian manufacturers facing unfair competition from mislabeled or unlabeled imports
- Promote transparency and informed consumer choice
- Protect the integrity of the Canadian flag, a national symbol central to our identity
Industry stakeholders have raised concerns that “maple-washing,” the practice of marketing foreign-made flags as Canadian, undermines domestic businesses and misleads consumers.
“This legislation does not ban imports or impose tariffs,” Shipley added. “It ensures transparency. It is a practical measure that supports Canadian jobs and helps Canadians shop and display their national pride with confidence.”
Conservatives will always stand up for Canadian workers, protect fair competition, and ensure Canadians have honest information when they make everyday choices.