Calgary company sees spike in Canadian flag sales amid ongoing trade war

In the wake of Trump's tariff threat, flag manufacturers say the maple leaf has regained its place as a symbol of Canadian unity.

Staff at a Calgary flag store say it seems a renewed wave of patriotism has taken hold of Canadians amid the ongoing trade war with the U.S. and a suggestion from President Donald Trump that Canada become the 51st state.

Flagworks is a division of Calgary-based Process Colour Print.

The business, which sits in the 7000 block of Fifth Street S.E., sees seamstresses craft flags from every country on earth.

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They sell everything from small hand-held flags to gigantic ones flown outside businesses and sports venues.

Right now, they’re busy stitching Canadian flags.

Angelique McLeod, the vice-president of sales, said demand for Canadian flags has surged lately.

“When I see a flag, it reminds me of my identity,” she said. “It reminds me of where I come from, that history and the values that we have that are really important to us.”

The Canadian flag, designed by Calgary-born George F. G. Stanley, will mark its 60th anniversary on Feb. 15.

While it briefly became a symbol of government discontent during the “Freedom Convoy” protests in early 2022, McLeod said she believes it has now been reclaimed as a unifying national symbol.

“It’s invigorated us again,” she said. “It’s made us come together again.”

Canadians are seemingly looking for other ways to display their national pride aside from flags.

The founder of Local Laundry says the Calgary-based clothing company has all but sold out of its simple black T-shirt that features the lower-case word “Canadian” on the chest.

“We can’t keep them on the shelves,” he said. “People just want anything that represents their country, that says ‘Canadian,’ but more importantly, that says ‘Made in Canada’ on the label.”

Curran said his company made the decision in 2017 to manufacture all its clothing in Canada despite the higher costs.

“The reason it costs more is because you’re paying Canadian wages all throughout that supply chain,” he said. “But in the end, you get a garment that’s going to last longer, was made responsibly, and supports a diversified Canadian economy.”

Curran said that since Trump took office, demand has spiked.

“It’s almost like a shock to everyone’s system,” he said. “People are coming out of the woodwork left, right and centre to support Canadian-made clothing.”

University of Calgary historian David Bercuson says he thinks the surge in national pride is here to stay.

“I think it’s going to be a permanent change,” he said. “I think we understand now – Canadians understand – that although we are deeply dependent on the United States for a lot of things – the economy, security and whatnot – we’re not Americans.”

“We don’t want to be Americans,” he added. “And I think that goes to who we are as a people and as a country, so the flag is a natural symbol of wanting to be ourselves.”

“I think what Mr. Trump has done is push us in the direction of more pride than I’ve seen in this country in a long, long time.”