When planning a home project—whether building new, renovating, or upgrading finishes—where you source your materials matters. Choosing Canadian-made products doesn’t just support local businesses and jobs; it also ensures better quality control, easier access to customer service, and a reduced environmental footprint from shipping.

Lately, the push to buy local has become even more important due to the rising costs of imported materials. A 25% tariff on all U.S. building products means homeowners and builders alike are facing increased prices on essential materials. Sourcing Canadian-made materials can help mitigate some of these costs while also investing in our own economy.

The Value of Canadian Building Supply Companies

Canada is home to an impressive range of high-quality building supply companies producing everything from lumber and insulation to tile, windows, and doors. Supporting these businesses means investing in sustainable forestry practices, innovative engineering, and manufacturing jobs that keep our communities thriving.

By choosing locally made products, you’re not only avoiding added tariffs but also gaining access to:

• Better Quality Control: Canadian manufacturers must meet strict regulations, ensuring durable and long-lasting materials.

• Faster Lead Times: Shipping delays are common when sourcing internationally, while local suppliers can often provide quicker turnaround times.

• Stronger Customer Support: If something goes wrong, dealing with a local company makes returns, replacements, and warranty claims much simpler.

• Eco-Friendly Practices: Reduced transportation distances mean a lower carbon footprint, contributing to a more sustainable building process.

The Hard Truth

It’s not easy these days—Hudson’s Bay Company, Tim Hortons, and Molson are no longer Canadian-owned. And the building supply industry is facing the same reality:

• Rona: Originally a Canadian company, Rona was acquired by U.S.-based Lowe's in 2016. In 2022, Lowe's sold its Canadian operations, including RONA, to U.S. private equity firm Sycamore Partners.

• All Canadian Building Products: Established in 2004 in Surrey, British Columbia, this company was acquired by ABC Supply Co., a U.S.-based company, in 2024.

• Building Products of Canada (BP): Despite its name, BP is owned by Saint-Gobain, a multinational corporation based in France.

• Gentek Building Products: Gentek is owned by Associated Materials, a company based in the United States.

• Taiga Building Products: Taiga is no longer Canadian-owned; its parent company is DBS Group Holdings Ltd., based in Singapore.

• Building Products of Canada Corp.: A manufacturer of residential roofing shingles and wood fiber insulation panels, it was acquired by Saint-Gobain, a French multinational corporation, in 2023.

• Yvon Building Supply: With seven locations across Ontario, Yvon was acquired by GMS Inc., a U.S.-based company, in 2024.

Phew 😮‍💨 

That’s a hard pill to swallow—especially considering that Canada is the second-largest producer of softwood lumber in the world and exports nearly 70% of its production. In 2023 alone, Canada exported 28.1 million cubic meters of softwood lumber to the U.S., historically supplying 90–97% of its needs. Today, that number has dropped to about 46%, with 14% coming from China.

Aside from lumber, other building supplies commonly imported from Canada to the US (or elsewhere) and then sometimes sold back to Canada include: cement, drywall, insulation materials, plywood, metal framing components, windows and doors, and certain types of roofing materials; primarily due to the proximity and often lower cost of Canadian production compared to some US regions. 

It needs to stop. Selling off Canadian companies to foreign ownership doesn’t just impact jobs—it affects pricing, availability, and our ability to source locally made materials. The same story is playing out worldwide, with manufacturing and fabrication increasingly moving out of local economies.

If we want to change this, it starts with where we spend our money. Supporting Canadian-owned companies and products made here at home helps keep manufacturing strong, jobs local, and supply chains stable. When we invest in businesses that prioritize Canadian production, we reinforce the demand for quality, locally fabricated materials—rather than relying on imports that come with higher costs and longer lead times.

So let’s make it easier on ourselves.

Finding the Right Suppliers

In our Directory of Resources, we list where each product is made. While it may not be bulletproof—since some components are still sourced internationally—it’s a step in the right direction.

We’ve also compiled a list of Canadian-made building supply companies offering everything from structural materials to interior finishes. Whether you need high-quality lumber, energy-efficient windows, or custom cabinetry, you can find a trusted Canadian supplier below.

Canadian-Owned Building Supply Companies

1. Home Hardware: A 100% Canadian-owned and operated home improvement retailer with locations across the country. homehardware.ca

2. GILLFOR Distribution: As Canada's largest privately held distribution company, GILLFOR offers a variety of building products through its 13 distribution centers nationwide. gillfor.com

3. POCO Building Supplies: This company provides building materials such as framing lumber, insulation, drywall, concrete products, hardwood, composite decking, retaining wall solutions, windows, doors, and interior finishes. pocobuildingsupplies.com

4. Doman Building Materials : Also known as CanWel Building Materials, is a major supplier for construction and renovation projects. domanbm.com

Choosing Canadian-made materials for your home project isn’t just a financial decision—it’s an investment in quality, sustainability, and the local economy. Whether you’re breaking ground on a new build or refreshing your space, sourcing local ensures you get the best products while keeping jobs and innovation here at home.

Check out the HQ Directory to discover Canadian suppliers and make your home project a little easier—and a lot more local.