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.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Manufacturing? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Mining and Oil & Gas.

Dates: 2025-12-22 to 2026-01-18

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

FedDev Ontario Invests Over $15 Million in Advanced Manufacturing in GTHA

On January 13, the Honourable Evan Solomon, federal Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, announced a combined repayable investment of over $15 million for eight manufacturing and technology firms in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). Companies such as Celplast Metallized Products Limited, A.B.M. Tool & Die Company, Hitachi Rail, GH Power, Imagoh Foods, Redstone Food Group, Quantum Bridge Technologies, and Paradigm Shift Technologies are receiving targeted support to scale production and integrate advanced technologies. Celplast will receive over $1.6 million to expand capabilities in high-barrier metal coatings and film products through adoption of new manufacturing equipment. These funds are intended to reinforce domestic supply chain resiliency and competitiveness. Details on each beneficiary's project are made available in the government's backgrounder. The investment is managed through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Regional Tariff Relief Announced for Steel Sector in Southern Ontario

Minister Evan Solomon, in Welland, Ontario, on January 12 revealed more than $3.4 million in funding under the Regional Tariff Relief Initiative benefitting steel-related businesses impacted by trade disruptions. Recipients include Havelock Metal Co., Kit Steel Inc., Steelcon Fabrication Inc., and Titus Steel Company Ltd. The financing is directed at modernization efforts, such as Kit Steel’s $650,000 allocation towards adopting advanced rebar fabrication systems, aiming to improve efficiency and operational competitiveness. The initiative supports supply chain resilience and strengthens export capabilities for steel and automotive manufacturers in the region.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CITT Initiates Inquiry on Dumped Forged Grinding Media from China

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) began a preliminary injury inquiry on January 12 into a complaint by Moly-Cop Canada regarding the dumping and subsidization of forged grinding media from China. The inquiry, under the Special Import Measures Act, follows CBSA investigations on the alleged trade actions. A decision on reasonable indication of injury is scheduled for March 11, 2026. If supported, CBSA will proceed with preliminary determinations by April 10. The process is open to participation by interested stakeholders.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CITT Finds Injury in Steel Strapping Imports from China and Türkiye

On January 14, following inquiry NQ-2025-005, the CITT determined that dumped and subsidized steel strapping products originating in or exported from China and Türkiye have caused injury to Canadian manufacturers, while volumes from South Korea and Vietnam were deemed negligible, closing the inquiry for those jurisdictions. Anti-dumping and countervailing duties will be collected on imports from China and Türkiye. JEM Strapping Systems Inc. of Ontario was the complainant. Reasons for the findings will be published January 29, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Investment to Scale Up Production for Waterloo Manufacturers

On January 14, Minister Evan Solomon announced a combined investment of over $3.5 million for Voltera Inc. and Blake Medical Group Inc. in Waterloo Region. Voltera will use $1.7 million to commercialize its Alta PCB assembly solution, supporting domestic electronics prototyping and manufacturing. Blake Medical receives close to $1.9 million for expansion and equipment upgrades, including in Brantford, enhancing capabilities for medical mattress and therapeutic product manufacturing and opening new export opportunities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CITT Issues Findings on Dumped Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire

On January 2, the CITT issued findings in its inquiry into the dumping of certain carbon and alloy steel wire from ten countries including China, India, Italy, and Vietnam. The Tribunal will release detailed reasons for the findings on January 19, 2026. The decision addresses whether Canadian producers have suffered injury or face threats from these imports.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Strengthens Critical Minerals Partnership with Saudi Arabia

Natural Resources Canada concluded a mission to Riyadh led by Parliamentary Secretary Claude Guay, resulting in a memorandum of understanding signed with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Al-Khorayef, on January 13 to promote bilateral cooperation in mining and critical minerals value chains. The partnership includes trade, investment, and knowledge exchange, with emphasis on ESG standards and mining technology. A deal between Canada’s Northern Graphite and Obeikan Investment Group will establish a battery anode processing facility in Saudi Arabia. Canada’s strategy aims to catalyze major private investments and diversify exports.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Inquiry into Dumped Oil Country Tubular Goods from Five Countries

On December 23, 2025, the CITT initiated a final injury inquiry into dumped oil country tubular goods from Mexico, the Philippines, Türkiye, South Korea, and the United States. The process follows CBSA’s preliminary determination and is expected to conclude by April 21, 2026, with participation open to interested parties.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Expiry Review Process Begins for Dumped Heavy Plate Imports

As of January 5, the CITT started an expiry review of its prior finding from February 2021 on dumped heavy plate shipments from Chinese Taipei and Germany. CBSA will determine likelihood of resumed or continued dumping by June 4, 2026, after which the Tribunal will assess the probable result on Canadian industry by November 10, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CITT Finds Injury in Thermal Paper Roll Imports from China

On January 8, the Tribunal found injury to the domestic thermal paper roll sector due to dumping and subsidizing from China. Anti-dumping and countervailing duties will be applied, with McDermid Paper Converters Limited, Media Cash Register Inc., and Custom Paper Ltd. as complainants. Details of the determination will be available January 23, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Superior General Partner Inc. Fined Under the Fisheries Act

On January 7, the Court of Québec fined Superior General Partner Inc. $1,350,000 and an individual $15,000 after guilty pleas to 12 counts of sodium chlorite discharge from the ERCO MONDIAL chemical plant into Rivière du Lièvre between June and July 2019. An additional conviction was issued for late notification. The company is added to the federal Environmental Offenders Registry; the fine is directed to the Environmental Damages Fund.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada Supports Halal Beef Processing Upgrades in PEI

On January 9, Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald announced up to $2.26 million for Atlantic Beef Products Inc. in Prince Edward Island under the Kosher and Halal Investment Program. The funding subsidizes technology and packaging improvements for halal-certified products, supporting modernization and increased yield for domestic retailers. The investment aligns with the Buy Canadian Policy for federal procurement.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Implements New Regulations on Labour Mobility, Recycling, and Job Postings

Ontario brought into force a suite of regulatory changes on January 1, 2026, covering labour mobility for certified professionals, employment standards for job postings, Occupational Health and Safety amendments, modifications to Blue Box recycling requirements, and new transparency rules for insurers and municipalities.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Fast-Tracks Canada Nickel Company's Crawford Nickel Project

On January 13, the Ontario government advanced the Crawford Nickel Project in Timmins under the 'One Project, One Process' framework, focusing on critical minerals supply chains and new investments in mining, nickel processing, and alloy production.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Strengthens Labour Mobility and Free Trade Initiatives

Canada's largest province enacted historic labour mobility regulations and published draft regulations under the Ontario Free Trade and Mobility Act, 2025, targeting removal of trade barriers and interprovincial barriers for businesses and workers effective January 1, 2026.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba Invests in Clean Energy Upgrade at Crown Royal Distillery

Manitoba Hydro will build a new transmission line to the Crown Royal distillery in Gimli, supporting the manufacturer's transition to electric boilers and 100% renewable energy at an estimated $19 million cost, with completion expected by 2027.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

British Columbia Adds Agritech Projects and New Training Programs for Food Security

On January 15, B.C. announced three agritech and training projects through the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation, totaling $658,000 and involving collaborations across industry and universities to advance greenhouse monitoring, dry farming, and robotic weeding technologies.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

President Trump Issues Section 232 Proclamation Covering Critical Minerals and Uranium

On January 15, President Trump’s Section 232 Proclamation brought additional national security protections for domestic uranium production and the nuclear sector, affecting processed critical minerals in the United States. The order follows ongoing developments in securing mineral supply chains and may carry implications for North American producers.

Sources: www.thestar.com

Government Consultations

Consultation on Proposed Enhancements to the SR&ED Program Concludes

The Canada Revenue Agency concluded October 2025 virtual consultations with SR&ED program claimants, focused on pre-claim approval and process streamlining. A summary of this engagement is scheduled for release in Winter 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• EU Aims to Fight Industrial Decline With 'Made in Europe' Law: The EU pursues industrial strategy to revive and protect manufacturing.
• 'Canada is not for sale' hat makers want to share domestic manufacturing tips: Domestic producers discuss strategies to retain Canadian manufacturing.
• Ottawa pushes toward scrapping ban on single-use plastic exports: Federal policymakers consider changes on plastic export regulations.
• At Windsor’s Titan Tool and Die, workers fight an outsourcing push: Windsor manufacturing workers respond to outsourcing and tariff pressure.
• New year comes with new rules for job postings, recycling and carbon monoxide alarms in Ontario: Ontario's updated rules for employers and recycling take effect.
• PrimeFab welcomes candidates to Midland for manufacturing job fair: PrimeFab hosts recruitment drive to address local manufacturing workforce needs.

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