The province’s largest union is asking shoppers to support local this holiday season.

NAPE represents 25,000 of the province’s public and private sector workers including those at Purity Factories, Browning Harvey, Country Ribbon and local branches of Labatt Breweries.

President Jerry Earle says this year it’s more important than ever to shop local.

He says the people who work in those facilities contribute to the local economy and the money made is usually re-invested back into the community.

However, it’s not just local NAPE members Earle is asking the public to support.

Earle is asking people, where they can, to support any local business from restaurants to stores and other small businesses.

He understands it’s challenging for some but stresses the importance of supporting local businesses in the community.