Ottawa Home and Garden Show attendees search for made-in-Canada products

People peruse displays at the Ottawa Home and Garden Show at the EY Centre. March 20, 2025. (Camille Wilson/CTV News Ottawa)

With home renovation season approaching, visitors to the Ottawa Home and Garden Show are looking for Canadian products and watching for price hikes caused by U.S. tariffs.

Many experts are promoting their made-in-Canada products and local businesses. Some say they are receiving calls from interested customers to find out if prices are increasing due to tariffs on materials like steel and aluminum.

A representative from Aluma-Worx, a company based in Embrun, Ont., said they’ve received many calls from customers asking how prices are looking for 2025 and added they had to adjust their prices just two days ago.

“We are concerned about the tariffs for the aluminum because, matter of fact, it keeps going up and going down. So, we have to readjust the price,” Luca Biudion, with Aluma-Worx, said.

Some visitors, however, aren’t too worried about the cost and just want the job done.

Mary-Ann and Drew Hume know exactly what they came to the event and are serious about it, despite what it will take.

“My wife and I are here today looking at getting some glass railings for our back balcony,” said Drew. “The main thing is to find a reliable, trustworthy contractor so that we can get a good job for what we’re after so we can enjoy our back deck.”

Hume said sometimes you just do what you need to do and not worry about things that you can’t control.

“My wife and I are both retired, so the tariffs and all the threats of rising costs doesn’t concern us. We’ve been through lots of ups and downs in the economy. Bottom line is we’re in our golden years. So, we just want to get something that we can enjoy.”

CTV News Ottawa spoke with some other attendees who are at the event for inspiration for possible upcoming projects. They’re considering Canadian alternatives and keeping them top of mind, as the prices could influence in what they choose. Some say their house is getting a little older and maybe needs a little updating, but they don’t really want to sell, so they are looking to see what they can get.

Organizers say if people are worried prices are going to go up, they should do their renovations now.

The Ottawa Home and Garden Show is on until Sunday at the EY Centre. Free entry is available for those travelling by OC Transpo and for kids 12 and under.

For more information visit ottawahomeshow.com.