Move over hockey rivalries: Canada vs. U.S. makes its way to grocery aisles

When most people think of Canadians’ rivalry with the United States, they picture hockey fights, Olympic showdowns, or maybe an argument over whose maple syrup is better (spoiler: it’s ours).

But lately, the newest battleground is surprisingly humble — the grocery store.

This all began when U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian steel and

aluminum. Oh, and let’s not forget his half-joking remark about making our country the 51st U.S. state.

Canadians, polite but not pushovers, responded in the most Canadian way possible — not with

riots, but with grocery cart rebellions.

Let’s think about the Canadian style of protest. Here, a boycott looks more like setting down a pack of Oreos and reaching for a Nanaimo bar. Political resistance through sweet treats.

Vacations: Bye Disneyland, hello Moose Jaw

Some Canadians decided to skip vacations in the U.S. altogether. No Disneyland? No problem. There’s always Canada’s Wonderland. Sure, Mickey Mouse didn’t greet you at the gate, but the

roller-coasters still delivered.

Others swapped weekend shopping trips to Seattle for road trips to Moose Jaw, Sask. for an annual sighting of Mac the Moose. Starbucks might be harder to find, but the world’s tallest moose statue makes a better Instagram post anyway. #MooseGoals.

Streaming: Netflix out, Crave in

For entertainment, some Canadians broke up with Netflix and turned to Crave. Think of Crave as Netflix’s awkward cousin — it doesn’t always have the flashiest hits, but it does remind you to appreciate Canadian gems. On top of Canadian content, Crave features accents from across the country. Even if we can’t always understand what the Newfies are on aboot, it’s all about the pride.

So instead of flexing the newest U.S. crime drama, Canadians can now brag, “Yeah, I’m

watching a show about a gas station in the middle of nowhere. Big deal.”

Snacks: Cheezies over Cheetos

Snack time is where the boycott hit hardest. Cheetos were replaced with Hawkins Cheezies, a

crunchy Canadian legend that leaves you with orange-stained fingers and maybe a dental bill. Still worth it.

Shoppers also got picky about produce — Washington state apples? Out. B.C. apples? In. Grocery shopping started to feel less like an errand and more like a patriotic treasure hunt.

Music and books: Proudly Canadian

Playlists filled up with Drake, The Weeknd, and Shawn Mendes, while bookshelves made room

for Margaret Atwood and Alice Munro. It wasn’t just about rejecting U.S. products — it was

about celebrating homegrown talent.

From coffee swaps to travel substitutions, Canadians found creative ways to show economic resistance. It was polite, snack-fueled, and honestly pretty funny — just like Canada itself.

So the next time you bite into a butter tart while humming along to Drake, remember it’s not just dessert. It’s diplomacy, Canadian style.