Canada rethinks its Geographical Indication regime
Canada is rethinking what counts as a "Geographical Indication” (GI), and it could change how Canadian crafts, art, and Indigenous products are protected.
GIs are governed by the Trademarks Act but work differently from other forms of IP. A trademark distinguishes one company's goods or services from another's. A GI, on the other hand, protects a name that links a product's quality or reputation to the place it comes from, think "Canadian Whisky" or "Bordeaux" for French wines.
Right now, GI protection in Canada is limited to wines, spirits, and a narrow list of agricultural products and foods. But the government has just opened a public engagement asking whether that list should grow to include crafts and industrial goods, for example, textiles, ceramics, woodwork, weaving, carving, and more.
Why it matters:
The EU just expanded its GI regime to cover crafts and industrial products. Countries like India, Brazil, Peru, and Türkiye already protect handicrafts this way.
Canada has more than 870 registered GIs, yet fewer than 30 are Canadian. That gap represents real untapped potential for local producers, artisans, and communities.
GIs are collectively owned and can last indefinitely, a structure that lines up closely with how many Indigenous communities approach traditional knowledge and cultural expression, unlike patents or copyright, which are individual and time-limited. GI protection could let communities stop others from using a protected name unless the product is genuinely made there using the traditional methods.
As more Canadians choose to “Buy Canadian,” this review could redefine how we protect authenticity, regional identity, and cultural heritage.
The consultation is open until August 27, 2026.