This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning most types of manufacturing activities (except agricultural, automotive, aerospace, food, and pharmaceutical), e.g. textile and apparel, chemical, electronics, wood and paper, metals, plastics and rubber, packaging, and machining. Once a week, 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. Also consider subscribing to our Manufacturing - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

Dates: 2026-03-15 to 2026-03-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• National Defence Committee: Critical Minerals and National Security Nexus: National Defence meets March 23, 2026, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., to examine the link between national defence, national security, and Canada’s critical minerals sector. Scheduled witnesses include senior officials from DND and Natural Resources.
• Industry Committee to Study AI Regulation in Strategic Industries: On March 23, 2026, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., the Industry and Technology Committee will discuss opportunities, risks, and regulatory considerations for artificial intelligence in Canadian strategic industries, with testimony from academic and industry experts.
• International Trade Committee: Focus on Mercosur and African Trade: The House International Trade committee examines Canada’s trade with Mercosur countries and North and West Africa on March 24, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Fertilizer Canada and food sector organizations are among the witnesses.
• Environment Committee to Hold Hearing on Industrial Carbon Pricing: The Environment and Sustainable Development Committee will conduct hearings on industrial carbon pricing, March 24, 2026, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Witnesses include the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Pembina Institute, and industry representatives.
• Senate Energy Committee Examines Emissions Reduction Plan Progress: On March 26, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources reviews the 2025 Progress Report on the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan and the draft 2026–2029 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, with the Commissioner of the Environment as a witness.

Federal Government News

Canada Announces $1.4 Billion Defence Manufacturing Investment

On March 18, 2026, David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, unveiled a $1.4 billion investment into expanding Canada's domestic ammunition production capacity. The initiative, launched under the new Canadian Defence Industry Resilience (CDIR) Program, will provide $305.4 million to IMT Precision in Ingersoll, Ontario, to establish a facility for manufacturing empty metal shells for 155mm artillery projectiles. Additional agreements under the CDIR will direct $355.7 million, $57.9 million, and $642 million to General Dynamics - Ordnance and Tactical Systems in Quebec for a nitrocellulose facility and two sites to load, assemble, and pack artillery charges and high-explosive projectiles. The program seeks to strengthen Canadian supply chain resilience, create up to 400 new jobs in Ontario, and reduce dependence on foreign ammunition sources. The investments align with the government’s Security, Sovereignty, Prosperity: Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CBSA and CITT Launch Joint Action on Alleged Dumping of Chinese Building Cables

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) initiated investigations on March 16, 2026, into the alleged dumping and subsidizing of unarmoured building cables from China, following a complaint by PTI Cables Inc. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) launched a corresponding preliminary injury inquiry (PI-2025-010) the next day to assess if Canadian industry suffered material harm. The CITT will announce by May 15 whether there is a reasonable indication of injury. The Special Import Measures Act (SIMA) provides the legal framework for these inquiries, which could impact importers and domestic manufacturers of electrical cables. Should evidence of dumping or subsidies emerge, CBSA’s preliminary determinations are due by June 12, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca

Competition Bureau Calls for Regulatory Changes in Shared Food Facilities

On March 19, 2026, the Competition Bureau published a report advocating the easing of regulatory barriers for shared kitchens and food hubs to foster SME competitiveness in the food sector. The Bureau recommends harmonizing food safety and licensing across jurisdictions, clarifying compliance standards, and using shared facilities to pilot regulatory innovation. This is intended to reduce recurring costs for businesses and encourage the adoption of new technologies in shared infrastructure.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Economic Development Support for the Auto Sector

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) announced over $1.6 million in funding for MVA Stratford and Armo Tool on March 19, 2026. MVA Stratford will modernize its core production lines with a grant exceeding $886,000, aiming to expand beyond U.S. markets. Armo Tool in London will use a $750,000 investment to enhance tooling capabilities and diversify market opportunities. The funding under the Regional Tariff Response Initiative helps automotive suppliers respond to tariff volatility and modernize operations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government Funds Plastics Recycling Manufacturing Launch in Quebec

On March 19, 2026, over $306,000 in repayable funding was issued to Recytronic of Lachute, Quebec through Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED). The financing targets the acquisition and installation of equipment for composite materials manufacturing from recycled electronic circuit boards, using a zero-waste process. The project is intended to recover non-metallic content for construction and other products, supporting circular resource flows within Quebec.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Support Expands Production in Lanaudière's Manufacturing Sector

Triotech Amusement and Les Cartons Corruguard in Lanaudière, Quebec, will share $900,000 in repayable government contributions to acquire equipment and boost productivity. Triotech will invest in production equipment, integrated management software, and marketing, while Les Cartons Corruguard will modernize its manufacturing line for corrugated cardboard products that replace harder-to-recycle packaging. The support is provided through CED’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program.

Sources: www.canada.ca

New Federal Investment Fuels Productivity in Saint-Jérôme Manufacturing

Libellule Monde and Ateliers Jacob in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, received $250,000 each under the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program, as of March 18, 2026. Libellule Monde will expand its certified adhesive and tactile signage solutions, while Ateliers Jacob plans to acquire equipment and target North American markets. The move seeks to accelerate digitization, scale capacity, and foster market expansion for both businesses.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Funding Strengthens Atlantic Canada’s Defence Manufacturing

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency announced more than $3 million in funding for three Dartmouth-based firms through the Regional Defence Investment Initiative and the Regional Tariff Response Initiative. MilAero Electronics Atlantic will receive $960,000 (repayable) for advanced systems and $836,398 (non-repayable) for digital tools, Survival Systems Limited secured $345,000 for plastic and composite production equipment, and GSTS is allocated $1.06 million for facility expansion and AI-driven maritime tracking. These investments target improved production capacity and workforce skills development.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CFIA Issues Penalties for False Country-of-Origin Food Claims

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced on March 16, 2026, that it has imposed $47,000 in financial penalties since April 2025 for mislabelling food products as Canadian. Recipients include Fortinos Etobicoke, Fresh in The City Inc., Meatex Farms Ltd., Oxford Frozen Foods Inc., and Real Canadian Superstore, with penalties ranging up to $10,000 each. CFIA continues compliance monitoring, label review, and targeted enforcement to maintain accurate marketplace information for consumers and businesses.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan: Industrial Product, Raw Material Prices Continue Upward Trend

Statistics Canada reported on March 20, 2026, that the Industrial Product Price Index rose by 0.4% month-over-month in February, with a 5.4% increase year-over-year. Raw material prices were up 0.6% month-over-month and 8.6% over the past year. The higher input costs extend across several manufacturing verticals.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

New Data on Refined Petroleum, Mineral Production, and Energy Transportation Released

Statistics Canada has made available monthly data for January and February 2026 on mineral production, refined petroleum products, and the transportation and storage of crude oil and other liquid petroleum products. These data assist stakeholders in tracking operational and inventory changes across upstream and downstream manufacturing inputs.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca, www.statcan.gc.ca, www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Maple Ridge, BC, Manufacturer Receives Nearly $2 Million for Facility Expansion

Jewel Welding Fabrication and Coatings Ltd. will expand capacity with nearly $2 million from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, creating up to 45 jobs and supporting local clean-energy supply chains.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

EnerQuest to Invest $15.8 Million in Ontario Facility

EnerQuest Technologies Solutions Inc. will reshore switchgear manufacturing to Harrow, Ontario, with $1.5 million provincial support, creating 125 new jobs and securing 154 existing positions.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Exceed Oilfield Brings Advanced Manufacturing to Alberta

Exceed (Canada) Oilfield Equipment Inc. is expanding in Nisku with $500,000 from Alberta’s Investment and Growth Fund, establishing tubing manufacturing and creating 19 permanent jobs and 100 temporary jobs.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Ontario Invests in Early-Stage Critical Mineral Exploration

The Ontario government is backing 68 junior mineral exploration projects via the Ontario Junior Exploration Program, supporting 71 jobs and generating an estimated $18 million in economic output for the province.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Gorman Group Secures BC Forestry Tenure, Strengthening Local Fibre Supply

B.C. approved a major tenure transfer for Gorman Group, ensuring supply security and value-added wood manufacturing in the Okanagan and Merritt timber supply areas, following a $120 million sector investment.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Ottawa earmarks $1.4 billion for key munitions production in Quebec, Ontario: Coverage of the federal commitment to expand ammunition production.
• Fines for false made-in-Canada claims could chill investment, food manufacturers say: Food manufacturers comment on the impact of CFIA penalties.
• Critical Resource Race: The Multi-Billion Dollar Move Toward Secure Supply Chains: Analysis of supply chain investments and resource security.
• St. Thomas manufacturer investing $3.8M to expand production and create new jobs: Report on manufacturing expansion in Ontario.
• Jayson Myers and the rise of Canada’s next manufacturing era: Insight into evolving Canadian manufacturing trends.
• Federal investment fuels Ingersoll, Ont. manufacturer, bolstering Canadian ammunition production: Local coverage of defence sector investments.
• Maple 2.0: Quebec syrup-makers turn to automation and expansion as demand grows: Case study in sector automation from Quebec.

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