Immigrants who are taking the Canadian citizenship oath are receiving maple leaf pins made in China, according to federal records. The Department of Immigration ordered 250,000 pins from a Chinese vendor, specifically for distribution at citizenship ceremonies. The pins were purchased at a wholesale cost of 18 cents each, as it was deemed more cost-effective to have them made in Chinese factories. The reliance on Chinese suppliers extends beyond the pins, as they also provide tourism promotional goods such as sunglasses, fans, umbrellas, and tote bags. The decision to outsource the production of maple leaf pins to China has been met with criticism, particularly from those who believe this symbol should be associated with Canadian identity. Members of Parliament have previously protested the use of Chinese-made pins and there have been instances where subcontracted items significant to Canadian identity were also sourced from China. This pattern of using foreign-manufactured merchandise continues, with the Department of Canadian Heritage spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on Chinese-manufactured Canada flag pins in recent years.