Good morning! Welcome back to Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning manufacturing, e.g. textile and apparel, chemical, electronics, wood and paper, metals, plastics and rubber, packaging, and machining.

Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Start Date: 2025-04-20
End Date: 2025-04-26

Top Headlines

Main Stories

Canada Responds to U.S. Tariffs with Reciprocal Measures on Steel, Aluminum, and Consumer Goods

Following the U.S. imposition of 25% tariffs on most Canadian goods and global tariffs on steel and aluminum, the Government of Canada enacted reciprocal 25% surtaxes on $29.8 billion in annual American imports, including steel, aluminum, and select consumer goods. Effective April 9, 2025, exemptions were introduced for poultry and egg products under the Import for Re-export Program (IREP) and for personal and household goods imported by Campobello Island residents. The government reported receiving nearly 7,000 written submissions during its public consultation period on further tariff measures. These actions are intended to counter U.S. trade practices that contravene CUSMA and WTO commitments, while maintaining the competitiveness of Canadian industries and supply chains.

Sources: Canada Gazette, Part II: www.gazette.gc.ca, Canada Gazette, Part II: www.gazette.gc.ca

CBSA Initiates Dumping Investigation into Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Imports

The Canada Border Services Agency launched an investigation on April 22 into alleged dumping of certain carbon and alloy steel wire from China, Taiwan, India, Italy, Malaysia, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye, and Vietnam. The complaint, filed by Sivaco Wire Group 2004 L.P. and ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada G.P., alleges material injury from increased import volumes, including price undercutting, lost sales and reduced capacity utilization. A preliminary determination by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal is expected by June 20, 2025, with the CBSA's own preliminary findings due by July 21, 2025.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canadian International Trade Tribunal Opens Preliminary Injury Inquiry on Steel Wire Dumping

On April 23, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal began a preliminary injury inquiry into the alleged dumping of carbon or alloy steel wire from multiple countries, following a complaint from Quebec-based manufacturers. The Tribunal will assess whether there is a reasonable indication of injury or threat to Canadian producers, with a decision due by June 19, 2025. Should injury be found, the CBSA's investigation will proceed and a final injury inquiry will be launched.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Final Injury Inquiry Initiated for Corrosion-Resistant Steel Sheet from Türkiye

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal initiated a final injury inquiry on April 22 regarding the dumping of corrosion-resistant steel sheet from Türkiye, following a preliminary determination by the CBSA. The inquiry focuses on imports by Borçelik Çelik Sanayi Ticaret A.Ş. The Tribunal is scheduled to issue its decision by August 15, 2025, on whether Canadian industry has been injured or threatened.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

New Tariff Appeals Set for Polyethylene Sheets and Furniture Components

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal scheduled public hearings for May 2025 to consider tariff classification appeals involving polyethylene sheets or tarpaulins and office and gaming chairs. The cases will address whether the goods should be classified as textile or plastic articles and the appropriate tariff categories for furniture components, potentially affecting import costs for manufacturers.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

Important Updates

Secondary Stories

Steel Import Monitoring Reports Updated by Global Affairs Canada

New datasets released on April 24 provide updated monthly breakdowns of Canadian steel imports by country and industry class, supporting ongoing monitoring under the Export and Import Permits Act.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca, Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca

U.S. Global Tariffs on Auto Parts Expected by May 2025

U.S. global tariffs of 25% on auto parts are anticipated no later than May 3, 2025, following recent actions on vehicles, steel, and aluminum, with implications for Canada's integrated automotive manufacturing sector.

Sources: Canada Gazette, Part II: www.gazette.gc.ca

Provincial Announcements

B.C. Invests $11 Million in Advanced Forestry Manufacturing Projects

The B.C. government is allocating up to $11 million through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund to four forestry-sector capital projects, supporting new production facilities, technology upgrades, and the creation of more than 500 jobs in the province.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Proposes 'One Project, One Process' Legislation for Mining Permits

Ontario introduced new legislation to consolidate mining project approvals, aiming to reduce review times by 50% and accelerate critical mineral and gold projects, particularly in Northern Ontario.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Introduces Safeguards for Critical Minerals and Energy Sector

Legislation in Ontario seeks to restrict foreign entities from claiming mineral rights or participating in the energy sector, granting government authority to suspend or revoke mining claims and limit foreign access to energy infrastructure.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Nova Scotia Launches BioInnovation Centre to Expand Bioindustrial Capacity

Nova Scotia opened the Neptune BioInnovation Centre in Dartmouth, a facility with 4,738 square meters of lab space, projected to create over 2,400 jobs and contribute $334 million annually to provincial GDP.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Ontario Invests Over $75 Million in Research and Innovation Projects

Ontario announced funding for 162 research projects through the Ontario Research Fund and Early Researcher Awards, including initiatives for metal waste recycling, AI in manufacturing, and 3D-printed construction.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Supports Economic Development in Sault Ste. Marie with $3.7 Million

Ontario is investing over $3.7 million in Northern Ontario projects, including funding for equipment in manufacturing, aviation, and concrete production, aimed at local economic growth and job creation.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Manufacturer Fined $225,000 Following Workplace Fatality

Brampton Brick Limited was fined $225,000 after a worker died from inadequate machine guarding in June 2023 at its Brampton facility, with the conviction entered in February 2025.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Invests $3 Million in Hydrogen Production from Forestry Waste

Alberta's government is funding a feasibility study for Hydrogen Naturally to convert forestry waste into hydrogen, utilizing carbon capture technology to support low-emission fuel production.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

New Brunswick and Newfoundland & Labrador Sign Labour Mobility and Trade MOU

The two Atlantic provinces signed a memorandum of understanding to improve free trade and labour mobility, aiming to reduce barriers and support economic activity amid international trade tensions.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

Pierre Poilievre Cites Economic Action Plan for Manufacturing Workers

On April 22, MP Pierre Poilievre referenced workers at Novo Plastics in Markham while promoting the Conservative Economic Action Plan and pledging to lower costs for food and housing.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Pierre Poilievre Promises to Remove Taxes on Steel, Aluminum, and Energy

Pierre Poilievre stated that a Conservative government would eliminate taxes on the production of steel, aluminum, and energy to boost Canadian paycheques.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Arpan Khanna Visits Accu-WRIGHT Machining, Supports Skilled Manufacturing

Arpan Khanna visited Accu-WRIGHT Machining, commending Canadian workers and reiterating Conservative support for domestic manufacturing jobs.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Arpan Khanna Tours TCF Processing Plant, Discusses Food Production

Arpan Khanna toured TCF's Ingersoll plant, highlighting Canadian ownership and affirming Conservative pledges to support domestic food processing.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Arpan Khanna Visits Jake’s Welding, Focuses on Agricultural Manufacturing

Visiting Jake’s Welding in Norwich, Arpan Khanna praised local agricultural manufacturing and referenced the Canada First plan for workers.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

François-Philippe Champagne Showcases Manufacturing in Mauricie with PM Carney

François-Philippe Champagne and PM Mark Carney visited Marmen in Mauricie, describing it as a leader in Canadian manufacturing and a key local employer.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Steven Guilbeault Criticizes Conservative Platform on Aluminum Sector

On April 22, Steven Guilbeault noted the absence of aluminum sector measures in the Conservative platform, stating that only a strong Liberal team would defend the sector in Quebec.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Made in Canada: How welding co-bot company Novarc is navigating trade turmoil: Novarc shares its approach to sustaining growth amid shifting international trade policies.
• Made-in-Vancouver clean tech helps diversify BC’s economy and markets amidst trade war: Vancouver firms pursue clean technology to access new markets during ongoing trade disputes.
• The CBSA launches an investigation into the alleged dumping of certain carbon and alloy steel wire: Media coverage of the CBSA's new dumping investigation and its impact on Canadian steel producers.