Still buying Canadian? This Ontario hockey dad is on Day 135 of making sure you don't forget

Over the past year, tariff tensions between the U.S. and Canada have been fueling more and more Canadians to boycott, or at least reduce U.S. goods and travel, and prioritize Canadian products at the checkout.

Despite the passion waning for some, the momentum to keep supporting Canadian is still going strong for Ontario hockey dad, Chris Agro.

The Tillsonburg, Ont., man is on a 135-day streak of sharing the stories behind Canadian companies and goods one-by-one on social media, to get more people thinking twice about what they put in their shopping cart.

"A lot of Canadians are looking for that kind of pride in our country and in the products themselves, to where we're looking toward supporting other Canadian businesses and local businesses," he said.

From Dempster's bread to Oasis juice, David's Tea and Jamieson Vitamins, there's no shortage of companies big and small Agro is highlighting on Instagram and Facebook, including in groups such as Made in Canada - Canadian Products, where he's a regular contributor.

It all started with a post of a bag of milk which sparked lots of reaction from across Canada, including provinces where it's uncommon to see. It led Agro down a path wondering what other things he could celebrate as culturally Canadian.

"I'm hoping that the hours and hours of research that I do gives them a little bit more information, especially when you're out shopping and you're trying to make a decision," Agro said.

Now, grocery shopping takes double the time that it used to as Agro searches the aisles looking for new products to feature, he said. Nowadays, he also gets recommendations from small companies who reach out to him.

Agro thrives on sharing the stories behind the businesses, like how Ottawa-based Spyce Girlz, started by a 13-year-old entrepreneur is now in grocery chains like Farm Boy and Longo's — or how Oasis juice was founded more than a century ago in Quebec — or how the idea for Twigz Pretzels was launched at a family dinner in Alberta.

Seeing more people continue to support local and Canadian businesses means a lot to the team at Cowbell Brewing Co., in Blyth, Ont. 

"I think that is a great movement," said Hannah Aerts, the company's marketing manager.  

"We've been really excited to see more people coming to the brewery as they're supporting more local businesses," she said, noting the beer is also available at LCBO, The Beer Store, grocery stores and now some Costcos, including nearby in London, Ont. "Cowbell has always been really proud to support local and Canada."

Despite controversy around U.S. products faking Canadian to appease customers north of the border, Agro doesn't overthink it. He focuses on Canadian companies and Canadian jobs.

"If in the end we're still like supporting Canadian workers and Canadian families, that's good enough for me," Agro said. "My list, my rules."