I still remember the first time I ever saw the Canada Goose logo.

It was probably 2010 or 2011 and I was in Montreal visiting one of my best friends who went to school there. Everywhere we went I saw this really cool logo that stuck out on the left arm of every jacket. They were everywhere. So after some asking around, I finally got to the bottom of it. They were Canada Goose jackets.  Not only were they so recognizable and eye-catching, but lo and behold, they were actually quite warm.  Actually, they’re known as the warmest jackets on the planet.

Fast-forward five years and I can still say that my Chilliwack parka (the bomber style) is still in amazing condition and gets me through the brutal Winnipeg winters, season after season.  In fact, the only good thing about -40C weather is the fact that I can don the thing when I go outside.  I’ve been a huge advocate for the coats since I bought mine and although they are pricey (the Chilliwack currently retails for C$645 – I paid less a little less than $400 for it so many years ago), they are well worth the money. As I tell people, everything else will be frozen except for what the jacket is covering. Wearing one is like being inside; you don’t get cold.

Since Winnipeg is affectionally known as “Winterpeg”, it’s a no-brainer that one of their factories is located here in the city (they also have two in Toronto, one of which opened last January). Canada Goose is known for being made in Canada.  They don’t outsource to other countries in order to keep the brand authentic. Although it makes for a higher retail price and a demand that far surpasses the supply (they’ve had a 4,000% increase over the past decade), it also provides authenticity to the whole product.

I was invited yesterday to the official opening of their second Winnipeg factory (catch all the excitement still on Snapchat – apopofcolour), located on Mountain Avenue. In attendance was the Minister of Jobs and the Economy Kevin Chief and the CEO of Canada Goose, Dani Reiss, whose grandfather founded the company 58 years ago.

It was my first time ever being in a garment factory, and although Winnipeg is known for its garment industry, it’s usually something no one would really have access to unless you’re in the industry. There was a long row of workers working on next year’s Trillium parkas (their best seller), which takes three hours to make and 105 steps per jacket.

The world-class facility currently has 80 workers but Reiss hopes to double that by March, with a further goal of 364 people by the end of March 2017. The hiring is being done in partnership with the Manitoba Government, who help train the workers and develop their skills.  Minister Chief said that part of the success of Canada Goose is that once the workers are trained and staffed with the company, they typically stay with the company.

After the press conference was over and the ribbon was cut, Reiss, Chief, and the staff present at the factory all signed a red Trillium parka to commemorate the event. Us media were invited to walk around, snap photos, and chat with Reiss, who spoke very highly and passionately about Winnipeg (it’s only natural they would make the world’s warmest jackets in one of the coldest places in the nation).  We chatted about why their products are made here in Winnipeg (an historic main hub, and not to mention the support from the government has been phenomenal), but also what it means to him to have such a successful brand.

“It feels great. We are one of few Canadian companies that export the brand. Not just the products, but the country of Canada itself,” said Reiss. “We are a 58-year-old company that in the past 15 years has made its mark.”

I would say so too.

Do you own a Canada Goose parka?

Please note, I did not receive any sort of compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

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