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: 2026-04-05 to 2026-04-11

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• Industry and Technology Committee to Hold AI in Strategic Industries Study: The Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU) will meet April 13, 3:30–5:30 p.m., to examine opportunities, risks, and regulation of artificial intelligence in Canada’s strategic industries, featuring testimony from AI and manufacturing sector representatives.
• Environment and Sustainable Development Committee Reviews Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: The Environment and Sustainable Development Committee meets April 14 at 3:30 p.m. to consider the effectiveness and potential improvements of Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, with further business including report drafting on protecting residents from extreme weather.
• Natural Resources Committee to Discuss Canadian Energy Exports and Critical Minerals: The Committee on Natural Resources will hold a session on Canadian energy exports, April 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with witnesses from industry and government, followed by in camera consideration of a draft report on development of critical minerals.
• International Trade Committee to Focus on Free Trade within Canada: On April 16, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., the International Trade Committee will examine issues related to free trade within Canada, with witnesses including industry executives and Minister Dominic LeBlanc.
• Senate Committee Reviews Energy Efficiency Act Amendments and Environment Reports: The Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources will meet April 16, 8:00 a.m., to study Bill S-4 (Energy Efficiency Act amendments) and review recent progress reports on emissions reduction and sustainable development strategy.

Federal Government News

Federal Investment in Advanced Wood Manufacturing for Construction Supply Chain

On April 9, Natural Resources Canada announced an investment of over $4 million through the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program to support the construction of a new advanced wood manufacturing facility by Atlas Engineered Products Ltd. in British Columbia. The project will use robotics to increase efficiency, precision, and reduce waste in the production of wood trusses for the construction sector. This initiative is part of the federal strategy to enhance the domestic wood construction supply chain, expand production in mass timber and engineered wood products, and promote the 'Buy Canadian' procurement policy for major infrastructure and housing projects. The facility aims to diversify Canada’s wood product offerings into biofuels and other engineered materials, delivering new capabilities for the sector.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Allocates $1.4 Billion to Expand Domestic Ammunition Production

On April 8, Minister Joël Lightbound detailed a $1.4 billion investment package under the Canadian Defence Industry Resilience (CDIR) Program to strengthen Canada’s munitions supply chain. General Dynamics – Ordnance and Tactical Systems will receive funds for several projects: $355.7 million for a nitrocellulose plant, $57.9 million for M231/232 artillery charge assembly, and up to $642 million for 155mm High‑Explosive projectile production—each at Quebec facilities. An additional $305.4 million is earmarked for IMT Precision in Ontario to manufacture artillery shell casings. These investments seek to restore domestic capability for critical raw materials, create more than 350 jobs, and enhance security of supply for the Canadian Armed Forces.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Battery Innovation Projects Receive Over $11 Million to Bolster Critical Minerals Supply Chain

Natural Resources Canada announced over $11 million in support for three battery tech companies: Nano One Materials Corp. (lithium iron phosphate production), EcoPro Lithium Inc. (battery-grade lithium metal and ultra-thin anode foil), and NanoXplore (Li-ion cylindrical cell prototyping). Funding comes from the Energy Innovation Program – Battery Industry Acceleration Call. The projects aim to advance domestic production capabilities for electric vehicles and energy storage, reinforce Quebec’s significant share of battery firms, and reduce dependence on imported critical inputs for the national battery and critical minerals value chain.

Sources: www.canada.ca

$64 Million Injected into Quebec SMEs in Steel Sector to Address Tariff Pressures

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) unveiled nearly $64 million in funding for 99 Quebec-based SMEs in the metal processing industry, targeting firms affected by international tariffs. The Regional Tariff Response Initiative, part of CED’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program, is designed to help SMEs improve productivity, adopt new technologies, and maintain or create upwards of 1,100 jobs. This injection of capital is linked to broader tariff mitigation measures, including expanded innovation funding and risk-reduction for the steel industry, which plays a critical role in regional and national supply chains.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and Quebec Agree on $122.5 Million Program for Tariff-Impacted Workers

On April 9, Employment and Social Development Canada and the Quebec Ministry of Employment announced a $122.5 million, three-year agreement to support employment and training for workers in sectors hit by global tariffs—specifically, softwood lumber, steel, and related industries. The program provides job training, skills upgrades, and transition assistance via Services Québec offices, aiming to help both employees and employers adjust to market fluctuations while maintaining competitiveness.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Support for Yarmouth Manufacturing Modernization and Market Expansion

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency announced over $1.2 million for Yarmouth, Nova Scotia companies through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative. Novatec Braids Ltd. will receive $900,000 to expand capacity and pursue new market opportunities, while Tri-Star Industries Ltd. will obtain $375,000 for equipment and digitization to modernize processes and strengthen market position. These investments are aimed at enabling firms to compete in changing global markets by adopting advanced technologies.

Sources: www.canada.ca

New Federal Funding Backs Battery-Grade Graphite Supply Chain in Quebec

On April 9, the Department of Finance Canada announced that the Canada Growth Fund will invest approximately US$82 million (C$113 million) into Nouveau Monde Graphite’s flagship mine and refining operation in Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Quebec. This funding forms part of a broader US$297 million package for graphite mining and refining, supporting expanded domestic production for advanced manufacturing, electric vehicles, and energy storage. The mine is expected to become one of North America’s largest, with plans to create 300 full-time local jobs by 2030.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Statistics Canada Releases Environmental Chemical Exposure Data for Canadians

On April 10, Statistics Canada published new data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey covering 2022–2024. Laboratory measures of blood and urine were collected for Canadians aged 3 to 79, reporting on levels of environmental chemicals such as metals, trace elements, parabens, pesticides, flame retardants, and chlorinated paraffins. This dataset provides updated national reference values for environmental exposures relevant to manufacturers engaged in products involving chemicals, industrial materials, and plastics.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Investment in Low-Carbon Agrichemicals Targets Petrochemical Input Reduction

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced up to $1.24 million for Anodyne Chemistries Inc. under the AgriScience Program to develop a bio-electric process for converting carbon dioxide and water to formic acid and hydrogen peroxide. These chemicals are used in various farm and equipment sanitation settings and aim to provide alternatives to petrochemical-based feedstocks within the agricultural supply chain. The funding is part of efforts to foster innovation within the chemical products manufacturing sector.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Support for Saskatchewan’s Nuclear Supply Chain Development

Prairies Economic Development Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan together announced a $625,100 federal and $286,000 provincial support package for organizations including Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers’ Association and OCNI. The funds will support local businesses entering the nuclear energy supply chain, promoting micro-credentialing, vendor connections, and preparation for small modular reactor opportunities in Saskatchewan. The initiative is aimed at strengthening the manufacturing and equipment base required for nuclear energy expansion.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

British Columbia Funding Targets Production and Jobs Growth in Manufacturing Sector

The BC government is investing $6.75 million via the Manufacturing Jobs Fund to support four southern Interior manufacturing firms, enabling production expansion, in-house processing, and 101 new jobs. Farming Karma, a fruit beverage maker, received $2 million for capital expansion, more than doubling production and adding 20 employees.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

B.C. Delivers Early-Stage Tech Innovation Support Across Five Sectors

Fourteen companies have been selected for nearly $3.5 million in Innovate BC funding to pilot new technologies in sectors such as forestry, marine, and mining, as part of the Look West strategy to strengthen industrial supply chains.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Non-Replaceable Forest Licence Issued to Bolster Value-Added Wood Manufacturing

Box Lake Lumber Products in Kootenay, B.C., has obtained a five-year forest licence to harvest approximately 445 truckloads of logs annually, supporting split-rail fencing production and contributing to supply chain stability in the local value-added wood sector.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Approves New Power Projects with Lower Costs for Industry

The Government of Ontario has approved 14 new electricity generation projects totaling over 1,300 MW, with costs reportedly 73 percent lower than the previous procurement model. These projects involve First Nations partnerships and are slated to support further industrial expansion.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Nova Scotia Grants Industrial Approval for Touquoy Gold Mine Expansion

Nova Scotia has granted Atlantic Mining approval to process three million tonnes of stockpiled ore at Touquoy mine, creating around 197 jobs and projected to generate $151 million in economic activity, with compliance required for environmental and water quality conditions.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation Launched on Canada’s Import Quota for Electric Vehicles from China

Global Affairs Canada is collecting industry input until May 1, 2026, on how Canada should allocate and administer the existing import quota for electric vehicles from China to inform long-term trade policy.

Sources: international.canada.ca

Proposed Code of Practice for Benzophenone in Paint and Coating Products Consultation Open

Health Canada is inviting feedback on its draft Code of Practice for benzophenone in paints, stains, and coatings available to consumers, with consultation open until April 15, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Canada’s industrial future depends on action today: Brief on the urgency of national industrial strategy for ensuring sector competitiveness.

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