Canadian flag sales surge 80 per cent for Erin, Ont. flag maker, retailer

While many businesses are facing an uncertain future due to U.S. tariffs, at least one Ontario business is getting a boost. CTV’s Spencer Turcotte explains.

There’s nothing more Canadian than the Canadian flag itself, and a longtime flag maker and retailer in Erin, Ont. is struggling to keep them in stock.

Kennedy’s Flags has been in business since 1947, so they’ve seen their fair share of Canadian milestones and celebrations.

Usually, winter is a slow period for people looking to buy Canadian flags.

“Not a lot of people buy flags at that time of year. It’s cold out. They don’t want to go outside and put up a flag on their pole,” said owner Tammy Quantrell.

Although, in the lead up to National Flag Day on Feb. 15, and in the weeks that have followed, there has been a significant shift in that trend.

Canadian flags have been flying off the shelves.

“We’ve seen a spike over the last three or four weeks. It’s jumping 80 per cent now, more than normal,” said Quantrell.

The demand is so high that on Friday when CTV News stopped by, Quantrell actually had to take down one of the flags on display in order to sell it to a customer. They had run out of ones in that size.

“I’m proud to be Canadian and I am totally anti-American right now,” said D’Arcy Watling, who purchased that flag.

Watling came in to replace his current flag, which is now worn out. But given the ongoing tariff turmoil with the U.S., he wants his flag to be in tip top shape.

“I [even] have Canadian flags on all my company trucks,” Watling added, referring to his vehicle parked out front which has a large patriotic decal.

For Quantrell, it’s a weird situation to be in. Business is booming at a time when other industries are struggling due to uncertainty with tariffs.

“It has just brought more awareness to how hard it is to be a manufacturer in Canada. People are coming out just to support it. The fact that we make the flags and that is their symbol that they want to buy Canadian and be Canadian, it just is all tying in together here in the store,” said Quantrell.