This Week in Manufacturing — Ottawa (#24, 2026)

Canada commits $73M to mining and critical minerals; Strategic Response Fund call opens for food and manufacturing projects; Tribunal finds injury from Chinese tableware imports; StatsCan: May manufacturing sales up 1.1%; Canada-Germany deepen semiconductor cooperation; Over $19M for energy innov...

This Week in Manufacturing — Ottawa (#24, 2026)

June 21, 2026 to June 27, 2026

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.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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


Federal Government News

Natural Resources Canada commits $73 million to mining sector and critical minerals infrastructure

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson announced on June 26 that the federal government will invest up to $73 million in 12 projects aimed at advancing Canadian mining and establishing infrastructure to connect critical minerals to global markets. Of the total, $51.57 million from the First and Last Mile Fund will support five projects focused on strengthening supply chains for critical minerals, while $19.6 million under the Energy Innovation Program will fund five projects to advance decarbonization technologies and economic competitiveness in the industrial and mining sectors. Nearly $2 million is designated for engagement with Indigenous communities, supporting co-development and decision-making on major projects. These initiatives are positioned to expedite project timelines and expand the reach of Canadian resources in international supply chains.

Sources: www.canada.ca
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Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada launches Strategic Response Fund call for proposals

On June 22, Minister Mélanie Joly opened the Strategic Response Fund call for proposals, allocating up to $350 million to support projects in Canadian food supply chains, manufacturing, packaging, and industrial systems. Eligible projects may receive between $10 million and $50 million, with the aim of expanding production and processing capacities, modernizing operations, and improving industrial infrastructure. The Strategic Response Fund is part of the National Food Security Strategy, targeting risks linked to global supply chain disruption and price volatility. Canadian food and beverage manufacturers, packaging firms, and critical input providers are eligible to apply.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada invests over $19.4 million in energy innovation and efficiency projects in Alberta

Parliamentary Secretary Corey Hogan announced on June 25 that more than $19.4 million will be provided for 13 industrial clean energy and efficiency projects in Alberta. The largest share, $10 million, goes to Emissions Reduction Alberta for strategic energy management at industrial sites, with notable projects including McCain Foods ($3.7 million for energy retrofits at Alberta and Manitoba facilities), West Fraser Mills Ltd. ($666,000 for energy management systems), and EQUS REA ($2.45 million to demonstrate vehicle-to-grid technologies at Innisfail). Additional funding will support energy audits, systems upgrades, and hydrogen production feasibility work, most notably $971,000 to VulcanX Energy for pre-commercial hydrogen plant design.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and Germany formalize deeper cooperation on semiconductors

Parliamentary Secretary Carlos Leitão and Stefan Rouenhoff, Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, jointly announced on June 26 the strengthening of Canada-Germany collaboration in the semiconductor sector. The announcement took place in Montréal in conjunction with the IEA Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency, and centers on shared industrial and trade priorities. Details about technical cooperation or investment frameworks are expected to be released following bilateral meetings.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian International Trade Tribunal finds injury from Chinese thermoformed molded fibre tableware imports

The Tribunal ruled on June 26 that the dumping and subsidizing of thermoformed molded fibre tableware from China have harmed Canada's domestic industry. This determination, from case NQ-2025-008, means the Canada Border Services Agency will impose anti-dumping and countervailing duties. The complainant was CKF Inc. of Nova Scotia; full reasons are scheduled for release on July 13. The measures are intended to improve market conditions for Canadian manufacturers in the affected segments.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada-European Union issue Joint Statement on the UN Call to Action on Methane

On June 23, Canada and the European Union reaffirmed their roles as co-conveners of the Global Methane Pledge, expressing commitment to achieving a global 30% reduction in methane emissions from 2020 levels by 2030. The statement underlines the importance of strict regulatory frameworks, innovation, and technology adoption, especially in fossil fuel industries. The joint position supports expanded international efforts on methane mitigation in the lead-up to COP31.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Anandasangaree highlights National Food Security Strategy and $3 billion investment

On June 26, Minister Gary Anandasangaree, on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald, presented details of the National Food Security Strategy in Scarborough. Backed by over $3 billion across ten years, the strategy seeks to boost grocery competition, fortify domestic food production, and reduce regulatory barriers across the agri-food supply chain. Major components include a $1 billion investment in food infrastructure, $1 billion in agri-food project finance, and a $150 million Food Security Fund. The package includes support for technological innovation, supply chain resilience, and regulatory modernization.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian Food Inspection Agency prevents entry of more than 150,000 kg of misrepresented food

On June 25, the CFIA published its Food Fraud Annual Report, which details regulatory actions undertaken to deter mislabelling, fraudulent claims, and non-compliant food sales in Canada. The agency removed, destroyed, recalled, or relabelled over 150,000 kg of misrepresented foods in the past reporting period—including products such as fish, honey, and maple syrup. The agency introduced net quantity verification for meat and will expand advertising reviews for Canadian content claims in its upcoming report.

Sources: www.canada.ca

May 2026 manufacturing sales rise 1.1% in advance estimate from Statistics Canada

Preliminary results from Statistics Canada show a 1.1% increase in total manufacturing sales in May. Gains were primarily driven by the motor vehicle industry and the chemical subsector. The advance indicator is based on early survey returns and will be confirmed in the regular release.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Wholesale trade advance data show 0.7% decline in May, driven by machinery and equipment

Advance estimates from Statistics Canada indicate that May wholesale sales (excluding petroleum and grain products) fell 0.7%. The decrease is attributed in part to lower sales in the machinery, equipment, and supplies subsector. This data signals near-term headwinds for supply-linked manufacturing segments.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Natural gas supply and refined petroleum data available for April and May 2026

Statistics Canada has released updated April data for natural gas transmission, storage, and distribution, as well as May data for refined petroleum products. The datasets provide operational-level details for energy input manufacturers and downstream industry stakeholders.

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

Minister LeBlanc meets with Alberta business leaders to discuss energy sector and Canada-Alberta MOU

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc met with Suncor Energy executives and Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce representatives on June 23 in Alberta. Discussions addressed emissions reductions from new cogeneration units, the federal-provincial MOU to leverage Alberta's natural resources, and implementation of the Pathways carbon capture project. The meeting also referenced federal initiatives to facilitate major infrastructure projects and trade ties with the U.S.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Teledyne to expand semiconductor manufacturing in Edmonton, supported by $620,000 grant

Teledyne Technologies is investing $20 million to expand its Edmonton facility, including new wafer processing and automation equipment, aided by an Alberta government grant. The expansion is expected to create 16 permanent and 20 temporary jobs.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Ontario secures over 1,000 jobs with Life Sciences Scale-Up Fund investments

Ontario’s Life Sciences Scale-Up Fund provided $61 million in investments to 11 medtech companies, leveraging $75 million total and supporting more than 1,000 jobs. Baylis Medical received $13.1 million for advanced device manufacturing in Mississauga.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario and First Nations partnership in Darlington Small Modular Reactor project

Williams Treaties First Nations committed $700 million to Darlington’s nuclear project, with Ontario Power Generation and provincial support. The small modular reactor initiative is expected to create up to 18,000 jobs during construction and secure Ontario-based industrial participation.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario companies fined for Environmental Protection Act violations in scrap and waste operations

Global Metal Sources, 1929259 Ontario Inc., and Wenxing Chu were fined a total of $36,250 for waste management violations in Belleville and Prince Edward County. Separately, Ruby Environmental Inc. was fined $50,000 for operating without required authorizations in southwestern Ontario.

Sources: news.ontario.ca, news.ontario.ca

Western and Northern provinces and territories coordinate critical minerals strategy

British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut formalized a Critical Minerals Strategy designed to accelerate development, processing, supply chain security, and value-chain opportunities. The framework supports investment attraction, regional infrastructure corridors, and partnerships with Indigenous communities.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Potential amendments to the Industrial Hemp Regulations—consultation open

Health Canada is seeking feedback on proposed amendments to the Industrial Hemp Regulations aimed at reducing regulatory requirements and administrative burden. The consultation remains open until June 30, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Consultation: Proposed changes to Uranium Mines and Mills Regulations

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has published a discussion paper on proposed amendments to the Uranium Mines and Mills Regulations. Comments are invited until July 16, 2026.

Sources: www.cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca
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What We're Reading This Week

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