It's hard to summarize an entire country, especially one with the social and geographical diversity of Canada. Still, just as products and companies have a personality, so do countries. Anthropologists will tell you that countries exhibit undeniable traits. Often, these national traits are interpreted into products. For example, the German attention to detail, order and efficiency takes tangible form in exquisite automotive and mechanical engineering.
Swiss punctuality is translated into Swiss precision in watches.
The character of the people influences their products, which in turn reinforce their perception of who they are. However, the reverse can be true too. But Japan reinvented itself in the '70s and '80s, and brands such as Sony and Honda have contributed to our new perception of that country. Commerce has the potential to help identify a nation to itself and to the world. This is a problem for most Canadians.