Canada shares the longest international border with the United States, and like the tag-along little sibling, we spend a lot of time comparing ourselves to our much bigger neighbour. Do they care as much about us? Nope. A glance at a U.S. newspaper or the evening news will show that we rarely rate a mention.
Cue the comparisons: They have hot dogs, we have poutine. They have lower taxes, we have universal healthcare. They have easy access to guns, we have paid maternity leave. They have Target, we have empty Target-shaped buildings (and some residual bitterness). They have Donald Trump and we have…well, um, let’s say he’s beyond compare.
Where does our big brother leaves us in his dust? Shopping. Our stores and restaurants generally have fewer choices and higher prices, although since the Canadian dollar has dropped significantly from parity, retail therapy in the U.S. isn't as much fun as it used to be.
But it’s still fun to shop somewhere new. Below, we take a look at the neat stuff you can buy after you cross the border and fill up your car with cheap gas.
Flavoured water
Visiting grocery stores in a new place is fun for food geeks, and a great way to discover different products such as Lacroix and Polar sparkling flavored water brands that aren’t available in Canada.
Perfect for people who don’t want their water to taste like water, Polar has flavours unheard of in Canada, such as birch beer, strawberry soda, and diet double fudge. Their Sparkling Frost lemonade+ with caffeine has us feeling a little jittery for a border run.
Lacroix (pronounced “La-CROY, rhymes with enjoy”according to their website) likes to give their flavours French (pamplemousse, or grapefruit) names, or use French and Spanish together (pomme bayá, or apple-berry, and cerise limón for cherry-lemon). Whatever the reason, they sound delicious.
Zit cream
Canadian drug store aisles have some notable differences in non-prescription medications: you need a doctor’s prescription to buy 10 per cent benzoyl peroxide acne creams such as Zapzyt in Canada, but they’re on the shelves in the U.S.
Other reasons to stop at Walgreens or CVS?
- Nexium, a proton pump inhibitor used for acid reflux
- Lasix: a diuretic used to ease symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling in limbs and the abdomen. It is also used to treat high blood pressure.
- Excedrin: For relief from headaches, it contains paracetamol (acetaminophen), aspirin, and caffeine.
(Please check with your doctor before taking any medication).
McDonald’s breakfast - all day
Breakfast has always been the best part of the Mickey D’s menu, loved by haggard parents, depressed office workers, and hangover suffers everywhere.
And so we were was thrilled with the news that they had finally come to their senses, realizing we would happily order an Egg McMuffin or a McGriddle for supper. But wait - what’s that? All-day breakfast will only be offered in the U.S., says McDonald’s. Their breakfast menu is cheaper than their other options, and is tastier options too. We’re Not Lovin’It.
The Honest Company
Cofounded by actress Jessica Alba in 2011, the company sells household cleaners and personal care products made without harsh chemicals.
Eco-friendly, non-toxic household goods aren’t just for granola hippies anymore, they’re big business. The Honest Company boasted $150-million (U.S.) in revenue last year and a valuation of $1-billion, and there has been talk of an IPO.
Decorated with clever designs, their diapers are cuter than the competition’s offerings, but pricier too. A package of 68 Honest Company diapers sells for $25.99 at Target, while you can get 104 Pampers for the same price. (Protip: By the time you’re finished with them, you won’t care about the adorable strawberry, bicycle and animal designs).
They are now available online in Canada but not in retail stores, according to the company.
Cookies
Girl Guides of Canada is wonderful organization that teaches Canadian girls important life skills. This writer is a sucker for a cute kid standing on her doorstep selling boxes of chocolate and vanilla cookies, or even better, chocolate mint. Bonus points if she’s missing her front teeth.
But if they had the same selection as their American counterparts, the Girl Scouts, I’d be even more inclined to show my support. There are a dozen varieties, including Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties and Savannah Smiles — anything for the kids, right?
Honourable Mentions
A few other things we stuff into our luggage on the way back to Canada: Jif peanut butter, Coconut M&Ms, Jacked Doritos, Dunkin Donuts coffee beans, Lane Bryant and Torrid ladies’plus-sized clothes, and shoes. People looking for rare sizes claim to have more luck in the States, and StrideRite outlets have deals on kicks for the kids.
It’s too bad Blue Bell ice cream wouldn’t transport well, or we’d take it too, and ALL the Cokes, including Cherry Coke Zero and Vanilla Coke Zero.