Ocanova offers a dedicated and secure space for Canadian businesses to sell their products directly to Canadian and international consumers. Any purchase made on our transactional platform will mean that you are supporting a Canadian business.

 

Our mission is to foster national support. We connect you exclusively with Canadian businesses, simplifying your search for Canadian products or imported goods sold by a local Canadian company.

 

 

 

 

The design of the Ocanova logo is steeped in purpose. Here is the thinking that inspired its creation.

 

The letters "OCAN" are short for "O Canada", our national anthem, which reminds us of our patriotism, pride, and love for Canada.

 

"CAN", the abbreviation for Canada, is in red, which distinguishes it from the other black letters in the logo. The analogy is that Canada stands out from the rest of the world for its culture, inclusion, quality of life, and freedom.

 

The abbreviation "CAN" is also in red to reflect the color of our Canadian flag and to foreshadow our patriotic movement with the words "WE CAN"!

 

The inclusion of the Canadian flag within the "O" signifies our identity as a Canadian company, whose mission is to serve and support Canadian businesses.

 

We included the word "NOVA" because it signifies "new" and is also the astronomical term for a new, bright star that suddenly appears in the sky with a burst of powerful energy. We built this platform to be a powerful and brilliant new resource.

 

The colours blue and yellow were also included in our logo because they are prominent colours across many Canadian provincial and territorial flags. These colours reflect our connection to the rich heritage and diverse landscape of Canada.

 

Our logo also features a dynamic blue arc around the Canadian flag that symbolizes our network reaching businesses from coast to coast.

 

 

 

 

 

There are two business-oriented directors that drive Ocanova. The senior director and president is Norman Roy and the junior director and vice-president is Mathieu Stevenson.

 

Norman Roy

With more than 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, he has built a business that evolved from a single retail store in the early 2000s, into a wholesale distributorship with sales locations across Quebec and Ontario. Upon selling his business fifteen years later, he transitioned into the commercial real estate sector, focusing on investments while also pursuing several smaller projects. A focused, ambitious, and hardworking professional, his business expertise lies in commodity importation, distribution logistics, marketing and business development. As the initial driving force behind the Ocanova project, he is determined to make it a successful venture. His vision is to create the ultimate online national marketplace for all Canadians, thereby helping local businesses to prosper.

 

Mathieu Stevenson

Ocanova was co-founded by an individual with a quarter-century of experience as a technical and marketing consultant, known for consistently increasing business profits and providing vital technical expertise for web systems. This diverse background, further enhanced by work as a real estate marketing strategist, led to the creation of Ocanova: a new, reliable Canadian-only platform. The marketplace is designed to securely connect verified Canadian entrepreneurs with consumers, building on the founder's comprehensive expertise to promote and grow this new venture.

 

 

 

Ocanova was established to empower Canadian businesses and support the national economy by offering a streamlined, secure, and intuitive e-commerce platform. Its mission is to build a loyal customer base by aligning with Canadian values and the "buy local" movement, aiming to be the leading online destination for products made and/or sold by Canadian merchants.

 

The "buy local" movement in Canada has gained significant and potentially long-term momentum, driven by a blend of economic nationalism, a desire to support local communities, and a preference for Canadian-made goods perceived to be safe and of quality. 

 

Key Trends and Statistics:

 

High Consumer Priority

A vast majority of Canadians (91%) state they are prioritizing Canadian products when shopping. As of May 2025, 84% of Canadians said it was important to buy local products, a 12-point increase from 2024.

 

Willingness to Pay a Premium

Many Canadians are willing to pay more for Canadian products. One poll found 70% would pay a significant premium for a Canadian product.

 

Economic Impact

The movement has had a tangible effect, with small and medium-sized Canadian retailers reporting a 10% to 25% increase in sales. Every dollar spent locally helps strengthen the community tax base and supports domestic jobs.

 

Shifting Behavior

Over 78% of Canadians have actively shifted at least one monthly purchase from a big-box or international retailer to a local Canadian business. This suggests a concrete change in shopping habits, not just a fleeting sentiment.

 

Information Gap

Despite the strong desire to buy local, there is often confusion about which products and brands are truly Canadian. All products on Ocanova will be properly identified, whether they are Products of Canada, Made in Canada, or imported products.

 

Overall, the "buy local" movement is a powerful and potentially lasting force that is reshaping the Canadian retail landscape and influencing consumer choices across the country. Driven by this vision, our platform was established exclusively for Canadian businesses to engage with Canadian and international consumers.

 

Our mission is to cultivate a thriving environment for Canadian businesses, while simultaneously establishing our website as the premier Canadian destination for online shoppers seeking to purchase a broad range of products from Canadian vendors.

 

 

 

 

Dedicated Canadian Marketplace

Since our platform is Canadian-oriented, only Canadian businesses will be allowed to become vendors on our platform. This strategy resonates strongly with Canadian consumers and helps build a loyal customer base eager to support local businesses.

 

Product Identification

Every product's country of origin claim or content claim will be clearly identified. When you add products in your Store, you will have to assign the correct abbreviation for each product.

 

                                                      1.            PC – Product of Canada (Requires at least 98% of Canadian content. This includes the ingredients, processing and labour)

                                                      2.            MC – Made in Canada (Requires at least 51% of Canadian content. May include imported ingredients, but processing and labour is in Canada)

                                                      3.            AC – Assembled in Canada (Assembled in Canada but is not made in Canada)

                                                      4.            CC – Canned in Canada (Canned in Canada but is not made in Canada)

                                                      5.            DC – Designed in Canada (Designed in Canada but is not made in Canada)

                                                      6.            DB – Distilled and bottled in Canada (Distilled and bottled in Canada but is not made in Canada)

                                                      7.            EN – Engineered in Canada (Engineered in Canada but is not made in Canada)

                                                      8.            PA – Packaged in Canada (Packaged in Canada but is not made in Canada)

                                                      9.            PE – Prepared in Canada (Prepared in Canada but is not made in Canada)

                                                  10.            PO – Processed in Canada (Processed in Canada but is not made in Canada)

                                                  11.            PD – Produced in Canada (Produced in Canada but is not made in Canada)

                                                  12.            PU – Published in Canada (Published in Canada but is not made in Canada)

                                                  13.            RE – Refined in Canada (Refined in Canada but is not made in Canada)

                                                  14.            RB – Roasted and blended in Canada (Roasted and blended in Canada but is not made in Canada)

                                                  15.            IM – Imported from (country of origin)

 

Free Shipping

All prices listed on Ocanova must include shipping. Statistics from various reports consistently show that customers highly value and expect free shipping, often making it the decisive factor in their purchase decisions. 62% of online shoppers say they will not complete a purchase without a free shipping option and unexpected shipping costs are the leading cause of shopping cart abandonment. Your customers will therefore enjoy a simple, all-inclusive checkout process without additional shipping charges.

 

Tailored Menus

Our website features menus that allow customers to filter products by their origin, including those made in Canada, within a specific province, or shipped from a specific province. These menus make it easier for customers to find local vendors and purchase products made in Canada.

 

Faster, Reliable Domestic Delivery

Domestic shipping avoids customs inspections and border delays, leading to faster and more reliable delivery times for Canadian customers. This improves customer satisfaction, reduces cart abandonment, and boosts customer retention for future purchases.

 

Vendor Identification

A customer will be able to know if you are a manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, importer or individual seller. This knowledge can sway consumer decisions and draw them toward your products.

 

 

 

All vendor registrations undergo a certification process that includes verification with the proper authorities to confirm the company is a valid Canadian business headquartered in Canada. Once a vendor is verified, a letter with an activation code will be sent to the physical business address on file with the governing authorities.

 

We ensure every vendor you shop from is Canadian—whether they are a manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, importer, or individual seller.

 

 

To maintain the integrity of our platform, all Ocanova vendors must accurately declare the country of origin for every product listing. Mislabeling—such as falsely claiming a product is 'Made in Canada'—is a violation of our policy.

Such infractions will result in fines and may lead to account suspension or permanent termination.

We actively encourage our customer community to report any suspected labeling inaccuracies.

 

Supporting Canadian businesses is crucial for a strong and resilient Canadian economy, vibrant communities, and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. By choosing to buy from and support local businesses, Canadians contribute to job creation, economic growth, and the preservation of Canadian culture and identity. 

 

Here's why supporting Canadian businesses matters:

 

Economic Benefits

·        Job Creation: Local businesses are significant employers, creating jobs within communities and contributing to a stronger local economy. 

·        Economic Growth: When you spend money at Canadian businesses, a larger portion of that money stays within the Canadian economy, circulating through local communities and boosting overall economic activity. 

·        Stronger Supply Chains: Supporting local businesses helps build stronger and more resilient supply chains, reducing reliance on international markets. 

·        Innovation and Competition: Canadian businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), are often at the forefront of innovation, and supporting them fosters competition, which can lead to lower prices and more choices for consumers. 

 

Community Benefits

·        Community Development: Local businesses contribute to the vibrancy and character of communities, sponsoring local events, supporting charities, and fostering a sense of belonging.

·        Preserving Culture: Canadian businesses often reflect and preserve Canadian culture and identity through their products and services, and supporting them helps maintain this cultural heritage.

·        Customer Service: Small businesses often provide a more personalized and attentive customer experience compared to larger corporations. 

 

Other Benefits

·        Environmental Impact: Choosing local products can reduce the environmental impact associated with transportation and support eco-friendly practices. 

·        Canadian Standards: Canadian businesses adhere to high safety and environmental standards, ensuring quality and responsible practices. 

·        Resilience: Supporting Canadian businesses helps build a more resilient economy that can withstand external pressures and economic fluctuations.