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O Canada Gift Card Launches to Support Local Retail

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As Canadians increasingly seek to support local businesses, Oakville-based fintech company AnyCard has launched a new product designed to celebrate national pride while fuelling the domestic economy. The new O Canada Gift Card—announced this spring—is redeemable exclusively at Canadian-owned and operated retailers, restaurants, and experience providers.

Available in both physical and digital formats, the card is being positioned as a flexible gifting solution that lets recipients shop Canadian whether in-store or online. It can be purchased through AnyCard’s website and will soon be available at select retail partners, including Walmart.

“We created the O Canada Gift Card as a way to spotlight and support the incredible brands and businesses that call Canada home,” said Alex Barseghian, CEO of AnyCard. “It’s more than a gift card – it’s a love letter to Canada’s entrepreneurial spirit.”

Alex Barseghian, CEO of AnyCard

Exclusively Canadian, from Coast to Coast

The O Canada Gift Card offers consumers a streamlined way to support homegrown brands amid a wave of patriotic sentiment and a growing “Buy Canadian” movement. This initiative responds directly to a changing retail landscape in Canada, where shoppers are increasingly conscious of where their dollars go.

According to the company, the gift card has no expiry date or fees, and can be used at a curated list of top-tier Canadian-owned businesses across the country. It is also suited to a variety of occasions—ranging from personal gifts to corporate rewards.

As outlined in the launch announcement, key features of the card include:

  • Usable exclusively at Canadian-owned businesses
  • Availability in both physical and e-gift formats
  • No expiry date or fees
  • Ideal for corporate gifting, employee rewards, and patriotic gifting occasions

Rising Demand for Local Alternatives

The launch coincides with a major cultural and economic shift taking place in Canada. In 2025, rising trade tensions with the United States under the Trump administration triggered a nationwide reaction from Canadian consumers. With 25% tariffs imposed on Canadian exports and provocative comments suggesting annexation, many Canadians re-evaluated their purchasing habits.

A “Buy Canadian” movement gained significant momentum, with retailers labelling U.S. goods with a “T” to indicate tariff-inflated pricing. Multiple surveys showed that over three-quarters of Canadian consumers began actively seeking out locally made products—even when those came at a higher cost.

Digital tools, including mobile apps and websites, quickly emerged to help consumers identify Canadian-made goods. The O Canada Gift Card arrives at a moment when Canadians are looking for clear, accessible ways to channel their patriotic values through daily purchases.

O Canada Gift Card. Image: AnyCard

AnyCard’s Role in Canada’s Branded Payments Market

Founded in 2016, AnyCard is a Canadian fintech company based in Oakville, Ontario, with additional offices in Regina, Saskatchewan, and Oakland, California. The privately held firm has become known for its merchant-agnostic gift card offerings and customizable gifting solutions for businesses.

The company’s existing gift card portfolio includes theme-based cards like DINE, PLAY, and KIDZ, which allow recipients to redeem value across multiple brands. These products are available at major Canadian retailers, including grocery stores and pharmacies.

AnyCard also offers corporate gifting options that include digital and physical gift cards tailored for business incentives, loyalty rewards, and recognition programs. Features include bulk order management, volume discounts, and branding customization.

Its cards are distributed across thousands of retail locations and integrated into programs across both Canada and the United States.

A Patriotic Option for Gifting and Recognition

With the launch of the O Canada Gift Card, AnyCard is not only expanding its product lineup but also tapping into a powerful emotional and economic undercurrent in Canadian retail.

“It’s more than a gift card – it’s a love letter to Canada’s entrepreneurial spirit,” said Barseghian.

This latest release serves as both a practical product and a symbolic gesture, aligning with consumer values and national identity. As companies and individuals continue to seek Canadian-sourced options in an increasingly globalized—and geopolitically tense—market, the O Canada Gift Card provides a clear and impactful solution.

“We created the O Canada Gift Card as a way to spotlight and support the incredible brands and businesses that call Canada home.”

For more information or to purchase the O Canada Gift Card, visit: https://www.anycard.com/choicecards/buynow/ocanada

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Craig Patterson
Craig Patterson
Located in Toronto, Craig is the Publisher & CEO of Retail Insider Media Ltd. He is also a retail analyst and consultant, Advisor at the University of Alberta School Centre for Cities and Communities in Edmonton, former lawyer and a public speaker. He has studied the Canadian retail landscape for over 25 years and he holds Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws Degrees.

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