Clarity at Checkout: How Edmonton's Punchcard Systems is Helping Canadians Shop Local, Smarter, and with Confidence

With international supply chains under pressure and public concern rising over economic sovereignty, Canadians are asking a simple but important question: where do our products actually come from? For Punchcard Systems, an Edmonton-based technology company, answering that question wasn’t just a technical challenge—it was a civic one.

Led by CEO Sam Jenkins, Punchcard launched Check the Label in 2025, a free mobile app that helps consumers scan barcodes and instantly learn where a product is made and how it fits into Canada’s broader economic fabric. Is it manufactured in Canada? The app offers answers that packaging often doesn’t.

“Canadians want to support Canadian,” says Jenkins. “But they don’t always have the time—or the transparency—to make informed decisions. We built Check the Label to close that gap.”

The app combines AI, community-sourced data, and a growing research database to score products on origin, turning everyday purchases into opportunities for economic insight. Part consumer tool, part supply chain engine, it’s already helping Canadians align their spending with their values—without adding complexity to the shopping experience.

Momentum has been swift. As interest in reshoring, domestic capacity, and foreign ownership grows, Check the Label has emerged as a grassroots response to consumer uncertainty. In grocery stores, pharmacies, and hardware aisles, Canadians are scanning barcodes not just for price—but for principle.

It’s just one example of how Punchcard Systems brings together civic intent and technical execution. With a team of over 50 professionals and more than 150 clients, the company has become a trusted innovation partner across industries including finance, healthcare, logistics, and non-profits.

What sets Punchcard apart is its commitment to moving fast when it matters most. From national apps to enterprise workflows, the team embraces rapid iteration and pragmatic delivery, helping clients seize opportunities in real time—often without the luxury of long lead times or drawn-out planning cycles. In a shifting economic environment, where responsiveness is just as critical as resilience, this approach has become a competitive advantage for clients across the country.

“Supporting the ‘Buy Canadian’ movement is just one piece of it,” says Jenkins. “The broader philosophy is about building what matters, when it’s needed most. We help our clients design, test, and deploy quickly—because opportunity doesn’t wait.”

While Check the Label supports the growing demand for economic transparency and local purchasing, its development reflects a broader truth: innovation doesn’t have to be slow to be thoughtful. At a time when trade dynamics remain volatile and public trust is more valuable than ever, Punchcard is helping clients across sectors act with clarity, confidence, and urgency.

“This isn’t about pointing fingers,” Jenkins adds. “It’s about building trust. When people feel informed and confident in their decisions, more of their dollars stay in Canada—and that’s good for everyone.”

In a country known for its humility, Check the Label is a quiet act of assertiveness. It’s helping Canadians shop smarter. It’s helping homegrown businesses stand taller. And it’s showing what’s possible when technology meets purpose—and when a company is ready to move at the speed of the moment.

—

This article is part of CCI’s new “By Canadian Innovators” series, which showcases how members of the Council of Canadian Innovators work with homegrown companies to fuel their growth and make Canada more prosperous. Each story in this series highlights the unique contributions of these companies to building a more prosperous, innovation-driven economy. To learn more about the companies CCI works with to build a more prosperous Canada, visit our member directory.