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.

Dates: 2026-01-19 to 2026-01-25

📋 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 Examines Bill C-15: The House of Commons Industry and Technology Committee will review the Budget 2025 Implementation Act (Bill C-15) on January 26, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Witnesses include Philippe Dufresne, Privacy Commissioner, and Marc Chénier, Deputy Commissioner and Senior General Counsel. In-camera consideration of Canada's productivity gaps and capital outflow scheduled for the second hour.
• Environment and Sustainable Development Committee In Camera Business Meeting: The House of Commons Environment and Sustainable Development Committee holds in camera committee business on January 27, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., at Wellington Building, Room 410.

Federal Government News

PacifiCan Invests $2.5 Million for Smart Manufacturing Expansion in Kelowna

Pacific Economic Development Canada announced a $2.5 million repayable investment for MAKR Group, a Kelowna-based manufacturer of steel components, playground equipment, and water management systems. The funding, delivered under the Business Scale-up and Productivity program, supports the integration of an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) system in MAKR’s operations. This system enables smart manufacturing machines to communicate operational status in real time and helps rapidly identify production inefficiencies. The initiative is projected to boost output at MAKR’s Waterplay and Wekid facilities, facilitate entry into new markets, and meet rising global demand for spray parks and splash pads—set to increase by 22% worldwide by 2028. The upgrade is intended to optimize resources and improve product quality, while contributing to the competitiveness and growth of British Columbia’s manufacturing sector.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Competition Bureau Publishes Public Consultation Report on Algorithmic Pricing

The Competition Bureau released findings from its consultation on algorithmic pricing in Canadian commerce. Over 100 submissions addressed four principal themes: market efficiencies via dynamic pricing, potential for anticompetitive behavior, risks of limited data transparency for consumers and workers, and the need for regulatory approaches that address anti-competitive conduct without hindering innovation. The What We Heard report was published as algorithmic pricing expands in sectors such as hospitality, concert ticketing, and ridesharing. These insights may guide considerations for future regulatory and compliance actions affecting pricing algorithms within manufacturing and adjacent sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Mutual Recognition Agreement for Architects Launched Under CETA

Global Affairs Canada announced the launch of the Mutual Recognition Agreement for Professional Qualifications of Architects (MRAA) under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The agreement simplifies credential recognition for architects and supports related industries, including engineering and construction. The MRAA is the first professional services mutual recognition pact linked to a Canadian free trade agreement and is expected to facilitate cross-border collaborations and enable Canadian firms’ competitiveness on international projects involving specialty materials or advanced manufacturing processes.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Natural Resources Canada Launches Forest Sector Transformation Task Force

Natural Resources Canada convened the first meeting of the Forest Sector Transformation Task Force, a body formed to explore industry restructuring and product diversification. Over a 90-day period, the Task Force will consult with provinces, industry, Indigenous stakeholders, and labor groups, seeking input on expanding modern construction approaches, supporting advanced wood materials, improving market access, and leveraging innovation. Its final report, to be submitted to Minister Tim Hodgson, will outline strategies for enhancing productivity and long-term competitiveness in the forest sector, including increased use of digitalization and advanced technologies.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal and Saskatchewan Governments Invest in Small Modular Reactor Safety Centre

Prairies Economic Development Canada announced $1.96 million in federal funding, joined by $4 million from Saskatchewan, for the new Small Modular Reactor Safety, Licensing, and Testing Centre at the University of Regina. The facility will provide industry and academic stakeholders with access to SMR test loops, enabling component testing under operational reactor conditions. This investment is designed to support innovation in nuclear technology, workforce training, and the projected creation of 18 direct jobs, as Saskatchewan prepares for increased nuclear power plant deployment. The region supplies about 25% of global uranium for electricity generation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Global Affairs Canada Expands Trade and Development Ties in Indo-Pacific

Secretary of State Randeep Sarai of Global Affairs Canada announced over $123 million in funding for multiple development projects in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Fiji. The initiatives, including $4.2 million in new ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action Trust Fund projects, focus on climate-adaptive infrastructure, municipal waste management, agricultural technology, food safety standards, and capacity-building in digitalization and AI governance. The program supports expansion of Canadian expertise in industrial decarbonization and clean technology throughout Southeast Asia. Several projects specifically address access to international markets for Canadian manufacturers, the deployment of CCUS technologies, and supply chain diversification.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Broadened Commercial Partnerships Between Canada and Saudi Arabia

Minister Maninder Sidhu concluded a market development visit to Saudi Arabia, resulting in approximately $600 million in partnership agreements involving Canadian firms across clean technology, energy, ICT, and infrastructure. Notable agreements include collaborations featuring BlackBerry, OpenText, and Niagara College. The trip marked reactivation of the Canada-Saudi Arabia Joint Economic Commission and identified opportunities for Canadian advanced manufacturing in support of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals. The Minister also toured Canadian-operated facilities including CAE’s UAV Training Centre and OpenText’s new regional headquarters, underscoring demand for Canadian expertise in aerospace, mining, and innovation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Trade Expansion Initiatives in the Gulf Region and United Arab Emirates

Minister Sidhu, joined by Canadian business leaders, completed a visit to the UAE with a focus on catalyzing trade and commercial collaborations, including contracts for AI-powered legal services (Alexa Translations), new office openings (National Bank of Canada and Novisto), and registration of manufacturing operations (Superheat). Strategic meetings took place with key UAE government and industry figures. The trip is part of Canada’s push to double non-U.S. exports over the next decade, negotiate a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, and implement the Canada-UAE Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement. Emphasis was placed on expanding Canadian AI, advanced manufacturing, and aerospace offerings in the UAE market.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Statistics Canada Releases December Advance Manufacturing Sales Indicator

StatsCan published an advance estimate for December 2025 manufacturing sector sales, recording a 0.5% increase with pronounced gains in the food subsector and the motor vehicle assembly group. This indicator offers industry stakeholders an early signal on monthly output trends, supporting operational planning and analysis of production volumes.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Industrial and Raw Materials Price Indexes, December 2025

Statistics Canada’s December 2025 report notes the Industrial Product Price Index declined 0.6% month over month but increased 4.9% over the previous year. In contrast, the Raw Materials Price Index rose 0.5% from November and registered a 6.4% year-over-year gain. These indexes inform margin outlooks for manufacturers reliant on commodity inputs, offering a quantifiable measure of upstream cost movements.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Refined Petroleum Products Production and Inventories Data Available

Statistics Canada reports that December 2025 data on refined petroleum products’ production and inventory levels is now accessible upon request. This dataset can be used to assess supply-chain considerations and planning for sectors dependent on refined petrochemical inputs.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Québec Launches 2025-2031 Strategy for Critical and Strategic Minerals

Québec announced its 2025-2031 Strategy for Critical and Strategic Minerals, including an $88.1 million budget to strengthen mineral processing, accelerate project development, and fortify Québec’s role as a North American hub for the sector.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Quebec Strategy to Enhance Value Chain and Global Position for Critical Minerals

The Quebec government detailed its policy to integrate mining and recycling of critical minerals with improved business stability and a goal to develop infrastructure, logistics, and attract investment throughout the sector.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Workplace Injury Results in $130,000 Fine for Calgary Chemical Manufacturer

NOVA Chemicals Corporation was fined $130,000 in Ontario for a workplace safety violation following an incident at its Corunna petrochemical plant, in which insufficient hazard protection led to a serious worker injury.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

British Columbia Tests Clean Technology at Prince Rupert Port

B.C. deployed emission data collection for port trucking, zero-emission ocean monitoring, and hydrogen refueling under its Integrated Marketplace initiative, aiming to enhance port operations and support northern job growth.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Manitoba Invests in Agricultural Equipment Interoperability

The Manitoba government committed $25,000 for Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute’s interoperability research, supporting mixed-equipment fleet operations and lowering costs for producers and manufacturers.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Government Consultations

Health Canada Announces Consultation on Prohexadione-Calcium Re-evaluation

Health Canada opened a consultation on the proposed continued registration of prohexadione-calcium and related products, with updates to standard label statements; submissions are accepted through April 19, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Ontario can speed up critical minerals industry and maintain environmental standards, report says: Report analyzes potential for Ontario’s critical minerals sector growth under robust environmental oversight.
• As AI moves into the physical world, is Canada missing the boat on robotics?: Industry commentary on Canada’s readiness for robotics and manufacturing automation.
• $233B Engineering Supercycle: Bridging the Autonomous Action Gap in 2026: Article covers developments in autonomous engineering and investment trends for 2026.
• Siemens Canada engineers a breadth of opportunities: Feature on Siemens Canada’s ongoing projects in technology and manufacturing.

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