Shop Local During the Canada Post Strike
The Canada Post strike has me thinking a lot about the role of government in our businesses. Should there be one? And if so, what does productive involvement actually look like for both sides?
When I was in Turkey recently, I saw something that gave me an answer. In Ephesus, I toured a government-backed program where an ancient livelihood, Turkish rug weaving, is being preserved, taught, and supported. It wasn’t treated as a hobby or side project. It was presented as a life skill, a profession, and a way to sustain families in rural communities.
What struck me most was how beautifully it blended preservation and investment with re-investment. I paid a fair price to tour the facility and witness students demonstrate their craft. Tourism dollars flowed back into the program. In turn, the program ensured that artisans had the skills and stability to build sustainable lives. It was a financing circle that worked, heritage preserved, livelihoods supported, community strengthened.
I couldn’t help but compare this to Canada. We don’t seem to have the same level of government interest in supporting our craftspeople or treating the handmade economy as a cultural and economic force worth protecting. The strike is just another example of this disconnect. While negotiations stall and systems freeze, makers and small businesses are left scrambling.
And yet, here’s what I believe. We can’t wait for government to decide when or if our work matters. We, as a community, need to take that into our own hands. We can show modern artisans that we are still here for them. That the way they earn income for their families is relevant, valued, and deeply needed.
This strike is another reminder that when big systems falter, the most powerful vote we have is the one we make with our dollars. Every time we choose to shop intentionally, buying from a maker here at home instead of clicking the easy international option, we keep that circle of investment alive in our own communities.
It might not look exactly like what I saw in Ephesus. But if we decide that Canadian craft and creativity are worth preserving, we can build something just as meaningful together.
This holiday season, don’t just shop, make your dollars count. Support Canadian Makers and find one-of-a-kind gifts that truly matter. At The Virtual Market, you’ll discover talented artisans from across the country offering handmade, unique products. And every purchase helps sustain livelihoods, strengthen communities and keeps Canadian creativity alive. Start your holiday shopping today and give gifts that make a different.
Shop local. Shop meaningful. Shop The Virtual Market.
