Look for Canadian sources for your business supports and services.

How easy it is to become complacent with the tools we use to manage/support our small businesses.  It is only when something happens, a nudge, like a pandemic or the potential for a trade war, do we have to stop and think about where we get our products/services from.  During the pandemic it became clear that having sourced things from outside our local provinces (for WOMEN, Ontario), or Canada was an issue.  It is time again to take the nudge and look for Canadian sources for your business supports and services. We all own/operate Canadian businesses, do we not want people to think of and use us first?  Of course we do.

I am in the process of getting things ready to create ads, generate an email blast, and set up a registration for my upcoming Women of Manitoulin Entrepreneur Network Conference.  So what did I do, I went to Canva – wait, is Canva Canadian – NO, so I went looking for a non-USA option.

 

Snappa (HQ: Ottawa, Canada 🇨🇦)

• Specifically made for marketers and small businesses.
• Focuses on social media, blogs, and ad graphics.
• Easy-to-use, browser-based tool with pre-made templates.

Next I wanted to generate my email blast to my WOMEN members, I went to my usual go to MailChimp – wait, is MailChimp Canadian – NO, so I went looking for a non-USA option

 

1. Cyberimpact 🇨🇦 (HQ: Blainville, Quebec)

• Designed specifically for Canadian businesses. 100% Canadian servers, ensuring compliance with CASL (Canada’s Anti-Spam Law). Bilingual interface (English & French). Simple and easy-to-use drag-and-drop email builder.Designed specifically for Canadian businesses.
• 100% Canadian servers, ensuring compliance with CASL (Canada’s Anti-Spam Law).
• Bilingual interface (English & French).
• Simple and easy-to-use drag-and-drop email builder.

 

2. Envoke 🇨🇦 (HQ: Toronto, Ontario)

• Focuses on CASL-compliant email marketing for businesses and nonprofits.
• Strong data privacy and Canadian hosting.
• Advanced automation and lead management tools.

3. CakeMail 🇨🇦 (HQ: Montreal, Quebec)

• Email marketing platform for small businesses and agencies.
• Affordable and white-label options available.
• User-friendly interface and Canadian data protection.

4. SimplyCast 🇨🇦 (HQ: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia)

• All-in-one marketing automation (email, SMS, social media, CRM, and more).
• Focuses on CASL-compliant marketing.
• Used by businesses, government agencies, and healthcare organizations.

And lastly I needed to post the registration on my website and my go to places were Eventbrite and TicketSpice, are these Canadian – NO, so again there are Canadian options.

 

Simpli 🇨🇦 (Montreal, Quebec)

• 100% free for organizers (funded by optional donations).
• Ideal for nonprofits, charities, and fundraisers.
• Good for workshops, conferences, and fundraisers.

These are just a few ideas that show, if you go looking for a Canadian source for tools to support your business they are out there (and I did use AI to assist me in identifying these Canadian options).  I have picked Canadian supports for my upcoming Conference.  I hope, the next time you go to use a non-Canadian support service you take the time to consider using Canadian (local first, then Ontario, then Canada wide).