A commentary by the chief executive officer of the Downtown Victoria Business Association.

What I’m about to say may make you mad.

I don’t think we should solely focus on purchasing Canadian products amid this trade war.

If you can find and afford Canadian-made products, this is the time to make those substitutions. If, like most of us, you don’t have time to scour the label of every item you need, can’t grasp the nuances of “made in Canada” versus “product of Canada,” or are simply overwhelmed by the pressures of finding Canadian products, you are not alone.

Frankly, I believe there is a simpler way to support Canada, and that is to shop at your locally owned and operated businesses.

Victoria’s small-business ­owners and operators are on the front lines of this trade war; this along with rising costs, labour shortages, port strikes, all that threaten their survival. No one wants to avoid trade wars and tariffs more than they do.

Small and medium sized Canadian-owned businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, and one of the........

© Times Colonist