The Financial Post reports in its Monday edition that souring relations between Ottawa and Beijing could affect Canadian companies in China, experts said last week. A Canadian Press dispatch to the Post reports that companies like Canada Goose, Roots, Lululemon athletica and Restaurant Brands International's Tim Hortons have expanded in China in recent years. China is central to the growth plans of many Canadian companies eager to tap into the country's compelling consumer market, retail analyst Bruce Winder said. "If you look at the drawing boards of those companies, China's a big factor in the growth strategy. Its a huge market. There are over 1.4 billion people and folks in China are getting rich, so you have a massive middle class." A diplomatic spat between Ottawa and Beijing, however, could spur a "soft boycott" of Canadian brands in China, Mr. Winder said. "Canada's supply chain is very dependent on China, but consumer-facing Canadian brands in China could be at risk too. Its something that could potentially impact the future growth prospects of Canadian companies in China." Beijing is in a tizzy over Ottawa's expulsion of a Chinese consular official for allegedly hassling Chinese Canadians.