Good morning! This is 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.

Looking to elevate and streamline your approach to government relations with more data-driven solutions? Queen Street Analytics is here to help you achieve your goals faster, smarter, and more effectively. Let's start the conversation. Reach out at contact@queenstreetanalytics.com to learn how we can support your success.

Start Date: 2025-05-19
End Date: 2025-05-24

Top Headlines

Main Stories

CBSA and CITT Launch Dumping and Subsidy Investigations into Imported Steel Strapping

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has initiated investigations under the Special Import Measures Act into alleged dumping of steel strapping originating in or exported from China, Türkiye, Korea, and Vietnam, and allegations of injurious subsidizing from China. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) has commenced a parallel preliminary inquiry to determine if there is evidence of material injury to the domestic industry. Written submissions to the CBSA must be submitted by September 18, 2025, while those wishing to participate in the CITT process must file by May 26, 2025. The Tribunal aims to issue its preliminary injury finding within 60 days of the initiation. Importers and Canadian manufacturers of subject goods should be aware of potential tariff impacts, as the product scope includes various forms of carbon and alloy steel strapping typically listed under multiple tariff codes. The CBSA and CITT websites provide full filing requirements and decision timelines.

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

Saskatchewan Power Corporation Files for Permits to Build International Power Lines to the U.S.

Saskatchewan Power Corporation (SaskPower) has applied to the Canada Energy Regulator for two permits to construct and operate 230 kV international power lines linking its network with the Southwest Power Pool in North Dakota. The proposed lines would each span approximately 6 km from Tableland Switching Station to the U.S. border. Interested parties are invited to submit comments to the CER by June 21, 2025, and SaskPower may reply by July 6, 2025. The application is available on the CER website and the Commission will decide whether to grant the permits or recommend a certificate process. The outcome will be of interest to manufacturers in energy equipment and related supply chains.

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

StatsCan April Indexes: Industrial Product Prices Fall, Raw Materials Continue Downward Trend

Statistics Canada's Industrial Product Price Index (IPPI) decreased by 0.8% on a month-over-month basis in April, while showing a 2.0% year-over-year increase. The Raw Materials Price Index dropped by 3.0% from March and was down 3.6% compared to April 2024. These movements follow persistent volatility in commodity prices, with implications for input costs in manufacturing sectors, including metals, chemicals, and fabricated goods. The full dataset is accessible on Statistics Canada's daily releases.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Procurement Ombud Surveys 'Best Value' Procurement Practices in Canada

The Office of the Procurement Ombud released a comprehensive research study examining the evolution of 'Best Value' procurement. The report details how the federal approach has moved beyond lowest price or technical scoring to include broader objectives such as full life-cycle costs and non-financial public policy aims, aligning with reconciliation and environmental stewardship. The document traces international benchmarks and outlines implementation challenges for Canadian federal procurement. Recommendations target procurement practitioners and policy makers, but the study notes increasing scrutiny of value-for-money and policy outcomes in Government of Canada acquisitions.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Minister Mélanie Joly Visits Oshawa Automotive Research Hub, Meets with Industry

On May 22, 2025, Minister Mélanie Joly visited a leading automotive testing and research facility in Oshawa, Ontario, and held discussions with industry representatives on strategic directions for Canada's automotive sector. The event included a closed tour followed by a media scrum before the industry meeting. Key topics anticipated included innovation, supply chain competitiveness, and future sectoral growth. No immediate policy announcements were made during the facility tour.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Important Updates

Secondary Stories

Railway Cargo Volumes Up 1.7% Year-over-Year in March

March data show Canadian railways moved 33.3 million tonnes of cargo, a 1.7% increase from March 2024, primarily driven by greater carloadings of wheat, canola, and coal.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Monthly Mineral Production and Smelting Data for March Released

Statistics Canada has posted new figures on mineral production and refinery output for March 2025. The dataset provides details for manufacturers using domestic metals and minerals.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Energy Transportation and Storage Data for March Available

March data on crude oil and liquid petroleum transport and storage are now published by Statistics Canada, permitting industry trend tracking for logistics and supply chain planning.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Natural Gas Transmission and Storage Figures for March Published

Statistics Canada released March data concerning Canadian natural gas transmission, storage, and distribution, updating metrics for energy sector operators and users.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Refined Petroleum Products Inventory and Production Data for April Posted

April's production and inventory statistics for refined petroleum products are now accessible upon request as published by Statistics Canada, useful for downstream manufacturers.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Tim Hodgson Outlines Federal Vision for Streamlined Energy and Resource Project Approvals

In a May 23 speech, Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson outlined a new 'Major Federal Projects Office' to centralize and accelerate permitting for key energy and resource projects, aiming for two-year timelines and consolidated reviews.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Provincial Announcements

Ontario Invests $11.3 Million in Forest Biomass Innovation Projects

Ontario announced $11.3 million in funding for five projects in northeastern Ontario to increase forest biomass use, enhance energy production, and support research into biochar, green hydrogen, and torrefied pellets.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

B.C. Allocates $8 Million for New Plastic Recycling and Waste Prevention Projects

The CleanBC Plastics Action Fund will distribute over $8 million to 34 projects supporting expansion of recycling, reuse, and waste diversion technologies in British Columbia, including 14 Indigenous-led initiatives.

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

Manitoba Introduces Legislation to Remove Interprovincial Trade Barriers and Proclaims ‘Buy Manitoba, Buy Canadian Day’

Bill 47, the fair trade in Canada act, has been tabled by Manitoba’s government to facilitate recognition of goods and services from other provinces under reciprocal agreements and formally establish an annual day promoting local procurement.

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

Manitoba Sets Up Innovation and Productivity Task Force

The Manitoba government has unveiled a new Innovation and Productivity Task Force co-chaired by Jim Balsillie, aiming to strengthen strategic planning for new technologies and intellectual property within the province.

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

Alberta Forms Task Force to Reduce Regulatory Delays for Sand and Gravel Projects

Alberta announced the establishment of the Sand and Gravel Task Force to expedite regulatory processes on private land, with a final report on reducing project approval times expected later this year.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Nova Scotia Premier Heads to France for Market and Energy Talks with Michelin

Premier Tim Houston will attend meetings with Michelin Group executives in France from May 24-29 to discuss advanced manufacturing, trade opportunities, and the company’s continued investment in Nova Scotia.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Freight Delivery Company and Director Fined in Ontario for Environmental Non-Compliance

Marvel Trucking Inc. and owner Amber Hanif were convicted and fined for failure to comply with provincial remediation orders following a diesel spill in Kingston, Ontario.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Ryan Turnbull shared that he joined Minister Mélanie Joly at GM Canada's Oshawa plant to observe operations and discuss support for the auto manufacturing sector.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Minister Mélanie Joly posted about her visit to GM Canada Oshawa, citing the role of advanced manufacturing in job protection, productivity, and industry advancement.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Ryan Turnbull recounted visiting Ontario Tech University with Minister Joly and touring its Automotive Centre of Excellence, pointing to Canadian innovation in automotive R&D.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Ned Kuruc posted about meeting with the StressCrete Group in Stoney Creek to discuss how U.S. tariffs are affecting their exports and local manufacturing jobs.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Maninder Sidhu reported meeting with steel and mining sector leaders, noting the sectors’ export strengths and the government’s focus on trade diversification.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Sidhu posted in French about the significance of the mining and steel industries to Canadian jobs and exports after meetings with sector representatives.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Minister Joly tweeted in French about visiting GM Canada's Oshawa facility, underscoring Canadian ambition and innovation in auto manufacturing.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator David Wells posted on National Seal Products Day, noting seal products’ significance to Newfoundland and Labrador's communities and economy.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Rosa Galvez referenced recent writing about microplastic concentrations in ultra-processed foods due to packaging and processing methods.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• WMTS 2025 Showcases Western Canada’s Vibrant Manufacturing Industry with Record Attendance and Innovation: Coverage of the Western Manufacturing Technology Show’s record attendance highlighting regional manufacturing capabilities.
• ‘Build, baby, build’: How Canada can help bring transformative technology to market: Examination of strategies to support commercialization of Canadian manufacturing innovations.
• President of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association joins to discuss Stellantis production: The CBC interviews industry leaders about Stellantis’ production and market outlook.