Ontario launches program to promote local products

Ontario has launched a program to help promote locally produced products as the province gradually starts to reopen and looks to recover financially from the COVID-19 lockdown.

Premier Doug Ford announced the "Ontario Made" program on Friday, which was developed by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), and includes a logo that will help customers identify locally made products.

In a press release announcing the program, Ford said Ontario-made products are recognized as the "gold standard" across Canada and around the world, and promoting these products would be essential to building a "strong, self-sufficient province and key to our economic recovery."

To support the campaign, the Ontario government is contributing $500,000 from the $50 million Ontario Together Fund that launched in April to help support businesses retool their operations in order to supply the province with essential medial equipment such as ventilators and masks.

In addition to the logo, the program includes a website where consumers can signup for product updates, and retailers and manufacturers can learn how to get involved. CME will also meet with major retailers to promote Ontario Made products in-store and increase visibility to customers.