How Trump's tariffs could hit Canadian families this back-to-school season — and 9 tips to help you fight back!

As kids head back into school, Canadian families are facing sharp increases in back‑to‑school costs. Here’s the latest on how much it’s costing and what parents can do to reduce the economic stress of this annual tradition.

How Donald Trump’s tariffs could affect Canadian back-to-school shopping

As of August 1, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump increased the tariffs imposed on Canadian goods and services from 25% to 35%. There are exceptions. For instance, there's only a 10% tariff on Canadian-origin energy products and on potash, plus any Canadian-origin good that is considered duty-free under CUSMA (the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) are exempt from these tariffs.

So what does that mean for Canadian families heading back-to-school?

• Price harmonization: Brands that sell in both the U.S. and Canada may match U.S. price hikes to maintain parity — meaning Canadian prices often rise in step with increases to American prices.
• Global supply chain effects: Many school staples, from sneakers to backpacks, are made in countries now facing U.S. tariffs. Increased production and shipping costs can ripple across borders.
• Inflation layering: Even without tariffs, 89% of Canadian parents say school supplies are more expensive this year, with 76% blaming inflation. Tariffs add another layer of upward pressure.

Some categories are already seeing steep increases. In the U.S., backpacks and travel bags are nearly 30% more expensive than in 2019, while boys’ and girls’ apparel is up roughly 25%. Footwear, in particular, is expected to rise quickly, with analysts warning parents not to delay purchases.

How much are Canadian families spending?

A recent Harris Poll shows 96% of Canadian parents will shop for back‑to‑school items, with an average spend of about $700 per child. Another survey released by Caddle in conjuction with the Retail Council of Canada estimates back-to-school spending is somewhere between $600 to $750, per child, while a RetailMeNot.ca survey pinned the average per child back-to-school cost at just over $830.

What's worse is the emotional stress and financial pressure back-to-school shopping has on families. According to RetailMeNot.ca, 53% of respondents admit that back‑to‑school shopping strains their budget, and 56% admit to exceeding their budget.

How Canadian parents can mitigate tariff-driven back-to-school costs

Here are nine practical strategies for managing rising prices — and even turning challenges into opportunities:

1. Shop early and price-match

Many retailers maintain pre-tariff pricing for existing stock in order to clear it out for new inventory. Shopping early may help you avoid end-of-summer, back-to-school price increases due to retailers facing higher costs from tariffs.

Start with big-ticket items like laptops, sports gear and footwear — the categories most likely to jump in price, first.

Even if you do wait until the end-of-summer to shop for school essentials, be sure to use price-match programs. For example, Best Buy offers price matching that lets you shop with confidence knowing you can get the lowest price. If shopping for dorm-room furniture, consider visiting Leon's or other retailers who offer refunds if you find a better deal later.

2. Hunt for deals and cash-back options

With 75% of parents using sales or deal sites to save, it pays to compare platforms. But don't limit your online shopping to price comparisons.

Use sites like Rakuten.ca or Swagbucks to shop and get cash back with partner brands. For instance, many electronics retailers — when the item is bought through the Rakuten site — will get you 5% cash back on that purchase. Apparel and footwear gets you 3% cash back, while stationary supplies gets you 1% to 2% cash back.

Other rewards programs include: PC Optimum, Scene+ and Aeroplan, which all offer deals on school supplies, as well as a chance to accumulate loyalty points.

3. Switch brands and retailers

Turns out 75% of parents say they’ll switch brands if their preferred choice is too expensive. That's because it pays to be flexible — and not be limited to brand or retailer loyalty. To maximize competition among retailers, be sure to check discount retailers, warehouse clubs and even grocery superstores for school supplies.

4. Leverage sales cycles and tax-free events

If you decide to wait until the end-of-summer to do back-to-school shopping, then watch out for end-of-summer clearance events. Many larger retailers will announce tax-free days — helping you save 5% to 15%, depending on where you live.

5. Buy second-hand or exchange

Over 54% of parents buy second-hand or accept hand-me-downs — an effective way to reduce costs on clothes and gear. Good places to look are in local community message boards and online through Facebook community pages.

6. Embrace “buy Canadian”

In light of tariffs and supply shifts, leaning toward Canadian-made products supports local businesses and may provide more stable pricing. With 85% of consumers replacing U.S. items, Canadian-made goods are increasingly competitive.

For instance, Native Northwest offers notebooks and school supplies featuring Indigenous art, fully designed in Canada by Indigenous artists. Prices are competitive, with notebooks starting from $5.99, or a set of metallic coloured pencils starting at $14.99.

If you are travelling to America

For Canadians who are travelling to America, consider a bit of back-to-school shopping around U.S. sales-tax holidays. These are usually scheduled in late July or early August. Just be sure to calculate whether or not the exchange on the dollar makes the purchase cost-effective. Remember, if the Canadian dollar strengthens, cross-border or online U.S. shopping becomes more cost-effective — even with tariffs factored in.

7. Use budget-friendly financing

One final option for those bigger-ticket items is to use a payment plan. Turns out, approximately 5% of parents plan to use “buy now, pay later” for big-ticket items like electronics and dorm-room furniture.

Another option is to use a low-interest or cash back credit card, just be sure you have a plan to pay off the balance as interest charges can add up.

8. Stockpile during off-season sales

If you have younger kids — children still in elementary or the lower years of secondary school — consider buying non-perishable supplies, like paper, pencils and binders, when prices drop about a month or two after school starts.

9. Cut back and plan better

The fastest way to minimize rising back-to-school costs is to trim the shopping list to essentials. In 2024, stationery prices rose 4.7 %, while children’s clothes and shoes dropped (7 % and 2 % respectively) — so clothing may offer bargains. In areas prone to overspending, such as electronics and laptops, consider researching and setting clear priorities before heading to the store.

Bottom line

Trump's tariffs may be set in Washington, DC, but their effects are felt across our borders. For Canadian families, especially those with kids in multiple school levels, 2025’s back-to-school season will require extra planning, creativity and a willingness to pivot on brands and buying habits. Those who shop early, hunt for deals and think second-hand first will be best positioned to protect — and possibly stretch — their budgets. By creating a back-to-school shopping plan, and using some smart shopping strategies, you can keep your budget in the black while building back-to-school excitement.

Sources

1. GlobalNewswire: Canadian Parents Are Feeling the Pinch: 73% Go Over Budget on Back-to-School Shopping (August 8, 2025)

2. CNBC: Trump tariffs, inflation have some parents worried about back-to-school shopping costs (July 23, 2025)

3. Nerdwallet: Price Matching: A Secret Weapon for Back-to-School Shopping (August 11, 2025)