What Does “Elbow’s Up” Mean to Balaklava?
Suddenly tariffs are forefront as we explore and alter our shopping habits.
You prefer Starbucks but now you’re pulling into the Timmy’s drive-thru. At the grocery store, you might reach for French’s rather than Heinz and you let Quaker Oats gather dust as you chuck Goldy’s into your cart instead. As for travel, we seem to be avoiding stepping foot south of the border. AirBnB reported recently that properties rented in Canada by Canadians are up 40%.
Canada may be known as meek and apologetic, but we’ve chosen to take a stand when it comes to costly American levies. Rather than simply cowering as prices shoot up, we’ve responded with a united front.
According to BMO senior economist Robert Kavcic, we can and we are making a difference. The “Buy Canadian” movement adds $10 billion to our economy. Not too shabby.
What does “Elbow’s Up” have to do with buying Canadian ketchup and spending your vacay in Wawa?
Grab a Moosehead Lager, sit back in your Muskoka chair, and get ready for a very brief history lesson.
On the March 1 episode of Saturday Night Live, comedian Mike Myers seems to have started a movement. While wearing a t-shirt that read “Canada is not for sale”, he twice pointed to his elbow while mouthing the words “Elbow’s up” straight towards the camera.
He didn’t dream up the phrase—he was referencing hockey player Gordie Howe. Although Howe didn’t coin the phrase, he was known as a bruiser who “would wield his elbows like weapons”.
“Elbow’s Up” has become Canada’s rallying cry in response to American tariffs.
What does “Elbow’s Up” Mean to Balaklava?
Balaklava has always focused on including as many Canadian brands as possible in the jobs we do.
We acknowledge that unfortunately, we can’t give you 100% Canadian—in our line of work, that goal is sadly impossible as some products and systems have no Canadian alternative. We won’t stop looking, though.
Our goal has always been to source as much as we can locally and nationally. Here are several predominant Canadian brands that we incorporate into your systems:
- Paradigm - loudspeakers and electronics
Since 1982, Paradigm has been designing and building loudspeakers just outside of Toronto. Their goal is, and always has been, "pure, lifelike audio, uninhibited by coloration, unrestrained in its ability to translate power into sound. And to do it at a price that would allow anyone to experience this magic". If you were at the Grand Opening, you may have gotten a peek at their ceiling and bookshelf speakers.
- Anthem - audio/video receivers, amps and electronics
You may not see Anthem products because they hang out behind the scenes, but you definitely hear the difference they make.
- Bluesound - audio streaming players and amps
Do you want your fav songs to follow you throughout your house? Do you like crisp detail that's just what "the artist intended"? Based out of Pickering, Ontario, Bluesound is as passionate about quality-sounding music as you are.
- Provo Ltd - communication and speaker cabling and install accessories
Your average smart home has about 3,000 feet of cable tucked behind walls and ceilings. That's more than 1.5 times the height of the CN Tower. Thanks to Provo, those cables are Canadian.
- CIS Networks - network equipment including wifi
Custom Integration Solutions (CIS) manufactures network equipment. For your devices (TVs, phones, thermostats, lighting, music, etc.) to "talk" to each other and work smoothly, you need a strong network.
We'll keep sourcing Canadian. Together, we'll stand firm. Elbow's up, fellow Canadians!
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
