September 13, 2026 to September 19, 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

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

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• Environment and Sustainable Development Committee Schedules Bill C-244 Review: Environment and Sustainable Development Committee will consider Bill C-244 (Canadian Environmental Protection Act amendments) and conduct clause-by-clause review with departmental witnesses on September 22, 3:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m., Wellington Building.

Federal Government News

Government Invests $67 Million to Expand Dual-Use Life Sciences Manufacturing

On September 18, Minister Mélanie Joly announced a $67 million allocation through the Life Sciences Fund to support five projects enhancing Canada’s dual-use health and industrial capacity. Notable recipients include Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation in Alberta, securing up to $21.9 million for antimicrobial drug supply resilience, and Avivo Biomedical Inc. in British Columbia, receiving up to $10.9 million for transfusion and transplant platform technology. Northern RNA will establish manufacturing for oligonucleotides, Qidni Labs will finalize a portable dialysis system, and STEMCELL Technologies will develop cell culture media manufacturing. The Fund also allocates $1.55 million over three years to five pan-Canadian research hubs focused on pandemic preparedness. Additional grants were distributed for projects such as the Canadian Drug Supply Observatory and the expansion of adenovirus manufacturing capacity. These investments strengthen Canadian manufacturing, health resilience, and supply chain autonomy, with implications for advanced materials, biomanufacturing, robotics, and equipment manufacturing.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Tribunal Rescinds Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties on Photovoltaic Modules from China

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has terminated the expiry review concerning tariffs on certain photovoltaic modules and laminates imported from China. This decision, made public on September 17, means Canada Border Services Agency will cease imposing anti-dumping and countervailing duties on these goods. Manufacturers involved in importing, integrating, or using PV modules and laminates in production may see changes in procurement costs and supply chain processes. The Tribunal’s ruling alters trade conditions for Canadian solar and sustainable manufacturing operations, potentially affecting pricing and availability of PV components.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada Provides $30 Million Loan to Conifex Timber Inc. Under Tariff Loan Facility

Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced a $30 million loan to Conifex Timber Inc., administered through the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan (LETL) facility. The loan is intended to help the Mackenzie, British Columbia-based firm manage ongoing U.S. softwood lumber tariffs and maintain operations. Recent adjustments to the LETL program offer greater liquidity and extended repayment terms. Conifex produces lumber and bioenergy with most exports destined for U.S. markets, supporting 260 direct jobs. The facility’s enhancements address near-term volatility from international trade disputes and facilitate capital investments and operational resilience for the forest products sector.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Industrial Product and Raw Materials Price Index Up in August

StatsCan data released September 17 show the Industrial Product Price Index rose 1.3% month over month and 13.5% on a year-over-year basis in August. The Raw Materials Price Index increased 3.1% month over month, registering a 22.8% year-over-year rise. These figures indicate broad input cost trends for chemical products, metal processing, polymer manufacturing, and other manufacturing subsectors. The data points inform pricing and supply chain decisions across advanced manufacturing and fabrication industries.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Monthly Manufacturing Sales Decline in July

July’s Monthly Survey of Manufacturing shows sales decreasing by 0.4%. The contraction was largely due to lower sales in chemicals and food product manufacturing. Conversely, petroleum and coal product subsectors experienced growth. The shifting sales patterns offer quantitative benchmarks for producers and supply chain companies overseeing chemicals, textiles, and materials manufacturing.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canada Growth Fund Invests $140 Million in Ontario Copper and Palladium Mine

On September 15, Minister Champagne announced that Generation Mining Limited (GENM)’s Marathon Project will receive about C$140 million in financing from the Canada Growth Fund. GENM also received $771,000 from the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund. The mine is shovel-ready and expected to generate over 1,200 direct jobs (800 construction, 400 operations) in Northwestern Ontario. Copper and palladium extracted will support clean energy technologies and manufacturing supply chains, bolstering domestic critical mineral supplies used in electronics, automotive, and advanced materials.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Manitoba Initiative Targets Domestic Defence Supply Chain Readiness

Prairies Economic Development Canada has committed over $3.2 million to establish the Manitoba Defence and Dual-Use Innovation Bridge through RRC Polytech, Manitoba Aerospace Inc., and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters – Manitoba. The initiative—announced at Manitoba Aerospace’s Procurement Pathways event—provides guidance on government procurement, cybersecurity, compliance with controlled goods regulations, and certification. The two-year program aims to assist 100 small- and medium-sized businesses as they pursue contracts in defence and dual-use technology sectors, facilitating supply chain integration and capacity-building.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Invests in Clean Fuels Innovation in Ontario

Natural Resources Canada is allocating $4 million under the Energy Innovation Program’s Clean Fuels Call for Proposals. Next Hydrogen receives $2 million to develop scalable fabrication and integration processes for high-performance electrodes in water electrolyzer modules, targeting improved efficiency and lower costs. CERT Systems Inc. is awarded $2 million to advance 'Direct Air-to-Ethylene Conversion,' converting captured CO₂ to ethylene for sustainable aviation fuel and chemicals. The ethylene project estimates up to 93.8% reduction in lifecycle emissions versus conventional jet fuel. These investments support Canada’s expansion in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and emissions reduction technologies.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government Funds Development of Sustainable Fertilizer Technology

On September 16, Lucent BioSciences Inc. was awarded up to $1,976,150 through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s ACT Program – Research and Innovation Stream. The funding supports biodegradable coatings for controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers, using surplus starch. The innovation targets reduced microplastics and improved nitrogen efficiency for plant uptake, with potential for reduced fertilizer use and greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative addresses manufacturing emissions reduction, polymer innovation, and chemical product development for agricultural supply chains.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister MacDonald Supports Automation Technologies at King City Greenhouse

Kinghaven Farms in King City, Ontario has received $5 million from the AgriInnovate Program to implement automation and climate control technology in a newly constructed controlled environment agriculture (CEA) greenhouse capable of producing 2 million kilograms of baby leafy greens annually. The facility features an automated mobile gully system for precision and faster cultivation, lowering labor costs and increasing production efficiency. This federal investment, connected to the National Food Security Strategy, advances year-round production, reduces dependency on imported produce, and addresses food inspection and CEA manufacturing applications.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Deep Geological Repository Project Notice Published for Public Comment

On September 18, Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced publication of a notice in the Canada Gazette for consideration of listing the Deep Geological Repository (DGR) Project under Schedule 1 of the Building Canada Act. The DGR would provide permanent management for Canada’s used nuclear fuel. Site-selection progress involves Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace. Canadians and other stakeholders are invited to submit comments until October 26. The project is tied to the Nuclear Energy Strategy released in June 2026, with anticipated impacts for advanced manufacturing, energy security, and infrastructure engineering.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Team Canada Strong Skilled Trades Programs Roll Out

Minister Patricia Hajdu announced the launch of several skilled trades workforce programs under Team Canada Strong on September 18. The Youth Placements program is accepting expressions of interest for paid job opportunities in the skilled trades, backed by $880 million over five years. Apprentices who earn Red Seal trade certification may apply for a $5,000 completion bonus. A new Build Canada Apprenticeship Service offers up to $10,000 incentives to employers hiring first-year apprentices. The Apprenticeship Training Grant, expected in spring 2027, will provide $400 weekly top-ups for eligible apprentices. Additional federal funding totaling $2 billion is being negotiated with provinces for pre-apprenticeship and technical training expansion.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Invests $2.5 Million to Upgrade Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper and Biomass Projects

Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper receives over $2.4 million for boiler and chemical plant upgrades, boosting production and utilization of forest biomass; AUX Energy and Weyerhaeuser receive additional funds for biomass generator planning and production line studies.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Opens $925 Million Sanofi Vaccine Manufacturing Facility

Sanofi’s Charles Best facility in North York opens, supported by $55 million from Ontario, producing influenza vaccines and creating 300 new jobs, reinforcing Ontario's biomanufacturing supply chain.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba Announces Investment Package for Mining and Advanced Manufacturing

Projects in eastern Manitoba include gold, lithium, cesium, silica sand development, and an advanced manufacturing campus by EarthEx Geophysical Solutions; several agreements with Indigenous communities are outlined.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Ontario Announces Support for $410 Million Critical Mineral Processing Facility in Marathon

Ontario invests $11 million through the Critical Minerals Processing Fund for Generation Mining’s Marathon copper-palladium plant, with 450 permanent jobs expected, reinforcing domestic supply chain and processing capabilities.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Company Sentenced for Workplace Fatality

Rylex Machine & Supply Ltd. is fined $217,000 and placed on two years of enhanced regulatory supervision following a worker fatality from a manual lathe incident, with funds directed toward workplace safety education.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation on Registration of Epyrifenacil and Related Herbicide Products

Health Canada seeks input on proposed registration of S-3100 0.46 EC Herbicide and V-10488 0.94 SE Herbicide containing epyrifenacil, for use in crop production and industrial vegetation management, closing September 20.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Advanced Design & Manufacturing Montréal Returns Expanded Experiences and Initiatives: Coverage of new programming and scaling industry networking events.
• IperionX Validates GenX™ Continuous Titanium Production: Company claims breakthrough in titanium manufacturing process.

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