The Decibel The companies betting on Canada despite U.S. tariffs
Apr 22, 2025
Pippa Norman, an innovation reporter for The Globe and Mail, dives into how Canadian businesses are adapting to U.S. tariffs. She highlights companies like Oddburger prioritizing local growth over U.S. expansion. The discussion reveals how a compostable packaging manufacturer and a steel can producer are seizing new opportunities at home. Pippa also sheds light on the challenges faced by the manufacturing sector and how firms balance domestic production with the complexities of trade policies. It’s a fascinating look at resilience amidst uncertainty!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Oddburger Shifts to Canada Amid Tariffs
- Oddburger's CEO paused U.S. expansion plans due to tariff uncertainty and shifted focus to a new manufacturing facility in Ontario.
- He aims to leverage demand from Canadian grocers for Canadian-made products rather than investing in U.S. growth now.
EcoGuardian Accelerates Canadian Manufacturing
- EcoGuardian fast-tracked its plan to open a compostable packaging plant in Aurora, Ontario, opening at full capacity by end of 2025.
- Increasing demand from food and beverage companies for Canadian alternatives motivated this acceleration.
Ideal Can Expands Production Domestically
- Ideal Can responded to tariffs by more than doubling Canadian steel can production and adding multiple shifts and production lines.
- The company aims to attract clients who previously imported cans from the U.S. by offering a tariff-free Canadian alternative.