‘Canada is not for sale’ hat makers want to share domestic manufacturing tips

By Canadian Press on December 30, 2025.

OTTAWA — The people behind the viral “Canada is not for sale” hat say they want to share their lessons on making and selling products at home to other companies who want to get on board the made-in-Canada train.

Liam Mooney says it was a desire to unite Canadians and fight back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s annexation talk that led him and his partner Emma Cochrane to stitch together the hat worn by Ontario Premier Doug Ford in January of last year.

The Ottawa-based pair spent much of 2025 getting familiar with Canada’s manufacturing landscape to meet demand for the hats, and Mooney says they learned a lot about how hard it can be to make clothes and other products in Canada.

Mooney says they now plan to act as consultants and share those lessons with other domestic manufacturers trying to make and sell their products in Canada.

Mooney says cutting costs and shortening manufacturing cycles at home will be critical if Canada is to build up its industrial capacity and stop relying so heavily on the United States and China.

He says demand has remained steady for “Canada is not for sale” apparel throughout the year and the firm is planning to roll out new products linked to events like the World Cup and the Olympics in 2026.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 30, 2025.

Craig Lord, The Canadian Press