We've all heard, in some form or another, the constant bashing of non-Canadian made products, especially in the latest manufacturing economical disaster in Ontario. The auto sector is arguably the largest part of this, with General Motors and Chrysler standing on an uneasy surface a few months back. This has brought about the abundant "Made in Canada Matters" slogan; which, in my opinion, it definitely does!
In Canada, we are blessed to have wages that are well above the world average, and we have human rights and labour laws, just to name a few.
Being part of the manufacturing sector for nearly five years now (2 in a "box factory" and just over 3 in "The Motors"), I think I have at least a tiny understanding on where things like this slogan stem from. The autoworkers get portrayed as the money-hungry jerks of the universe, but I dare anyone to spend even 4 hours in a factory, not even an automotive one, and tell me those guys don't deserve the money. There are tons of other jobs out there that get more money than autoworkers, do less, and get less flack.
Okay - now that I am pleasantly off topic, let's get back on track.
People have adopted this "Made in Canada Matters" campaign in full force (or so it seems). BUT - do they actually understand it? Some people do, others don't. I have found that some of the autoworkers do not even understand it. What am I getting at here? I get so frustrated when I see a "Made in Canada Matters" bumper magnet on, for example, a Chevrolet Cavalier.
There is a difference between a made in Canada, and made by a "Canadian"/North American company. The Chevy Cavalier was made in the US, but also in Mexico. They were never made in Canada. Another common one that makes me want to scream is the Chevy HHR (the PT Cruiser look-a-like). The HHR is also made in Mexico, but yet people seem to put "Made in Canada Matters" magnets on it. It doesn't make sense! Either people are just plain ignorant, or they think that they can be a hypocrite because noone else will know the difference. Maybe they won't, especially if they are not involved with the auto sector or know something about the origins of products. People just assume that because a company headquarters is stationed in a particular country that all of their products are made there. The Chevrolet Optra is actually made in Asia (YES! And it's still GM!). Some Optra drivers are also guilty of showing a proud "Made in Canada Matters" magnet. Get a grip.
Thank you to the many Chevy Impala, Ford Edge, Ford Flex, Dodge Caravan, and Pontiac Grand Prix (2004-2008) owners who actually use this slogan correctly!
Since the Canadian and American economies are so tightly bound (as is, really, the rest of the world) maybe the slogan should be something like "Made in North America Matters". It would make more sense; when sales in the U.S. dropped drastically, we here at the Oshawa plant were laid off. When the U.S. started up a Cash for Clunkers campaign, we had Saturdays of overtime booked to keep up with demand.
Personally, if a product is made in the U.S. it is still far better than something that has had to come thousands of miles across the sea from workers who make an absurb amount of money to support their families, and who have to endure impossible working conditions.
I am by no means trying to say that everything I have said here is right, but it is something that I feel is escalating and deserved some attention.
For a listing of products (clothing, restaurants, cars, etc.) that are "Made in Canada," the link is here.
Oh...also, MERRY CHRISTMAS!
- Heidi
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