With a global trade war now officially underway, The Pro Bono Group has produced two new PSAs for radio stations and podcasts under its Pro Canada Project, enlisting a couple of Canadian comedy icons.

Launched in early February, the campaign encourages listeners to “Buy Canadian,” urging consumers to “shop as if your country depends on it.”

The two latest spots produced under the campaign see Pro Bono Group recruit Rick Mercer and Ron James, who appeal to Canadians to “Keep your money in Canada, for Canada.”

“Rick Mercer was ‘all in’ from the moment we invited him,” producer Mike Occomore told Broadcast Dialogue. “So was Ron James. He was away on the East Coast – but offered to drop everything and jump on a plane the very next day and fly to Toronto just so he could add his voice to this project. Fortunately, that wasn’t necessary.”

Recorded at The Coach House location of difuze/WANTED Sound+Picture in Toronto, the comedians’ fees were waived as the not-for-profit obtains “PSA status” from ACTRA.

Pro Bono Group says more messages from passionate Canadians will be produced in the weeks ahead, including a spot with Dragons’ Den business mogul Arlene Dickinson.

Learn more about Pro Bono Group, here.