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: 2026-02-08 to 2026-02-14

📋 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

There are no scheduled committee meetings this week.

Federal Government News

FedDev Ontario Invests $9.3 Million in Kumi Canada to Modernize Automotive Manufacturing

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario announced an investment of up to $9.3 million for Kumi Canada Corporation to implement advanced technologies and upgrade its injection molding operations for the automotive sector. The funding, disbursed through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, is designed to reinforce domestic supply chain resilience and offset tariff-related cost pressures. The initiative is part of Canada's new auto strategy, which supports suppliers and manufacturers amid shifting international trade dynamics. According to Minister Evan Solomon, the modernization efforts will position Kumi Canada for future growth and support the competitiveness of Canada's automotive industry. The Regional Tariff Response Initiative provides auto sector suppliers access to resources for quick adaptation to industry changes, and targeted modernization projects offer a means to mitigate impacts from international tariff fluctuations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Launches National Charging Infrastructure Strategy, Invests $97 Million in Clean Transportation Projects

Natural Resources Canada, in coordination with Transport and Environment ministries, advanced the federal Automotive Strategy by announcing a $97 million allocation for 155 clean transportation projects across Canada. Funding includes $84.4 million for 8,000 new electric vehicle chargers through the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, $5.7 million for low-carbon freight fleet upgrades, and $7.2 million for education and awareness projects (including 11 Indigenous-led initiatives). The Canada Infrastructure Bank's $1.5 billion Charging and Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure Initiative is also leveraged to expand EV charging infrastructure nationwide. Canada has surpassed the milestone of 30,000 installed chargers. The new National Charging Infrastructure Strategy seeks to attract private investment and create jobs in the EV supply chain, with efforts directed at facilitating EV adoption and strengthening industry positioning for future vehicle manufacturing.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Ministers to Announce Funding and Outline Canada's New Automotive Sector Strategy

On February 10, Ministers Tim Hodgson (Energy and Natural Resources), Steven MacKinnon (Transport), and Julie Dabrusin (Environment) scheduled a media event highlighting the federal launch of a new strategy to transform Canada’s automotive industry and funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The media advisory requested pre-registration from accredited press. The upcoming announcements are intended to provide further detail on strategic investments and regulatory measures supporting the manufacturing sector’s transition to next-generation automotive technologies.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Marks Opening of Carbon-Neutral Federal Building in Shawinigan, Quebec

Public Services and Procurement Canada opened a new federal office in Shawinigan, Quebec, designed for LEED Gold certification and incorporating carbon-neutral technologies. The $223 million facility accommodates approximately 2,000 employees from Canada Revenue Agency, Employment and Social Development Canada, and Shared Services Canada. The project, employing local architectural and construction firms, optimizes natural light and includes materials such as local wood for interior finishes. Integration of Atikamekw cultural elements is featured throughout, with artwork in the entrance hall and trilingual signage. The building is fully operational, with exterior work continuing until autumn 2026. The facility is intended as a benchmark for sustainable design and regional economic development.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian Minister Discusses Trade Expansion and Canola Exports with Pakistan

Minister Maninder Sidhu (International Trade) spoke with Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, regarding the expansion of Canadian business opportunities and bilateral trade. The conversation addressed the recent export of Canadian canola to Pakistan, following an agreement to facilitate shipments, and opened discussions for Canadian businesses in agriculture, clean energy, and mining. Sidhu expressed Canada’s intention to diversify trade with Pakistan beyond traditional sectors. Ongoing negotiations aim to establish a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement between the countries.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases Data on Private Non-Profit R&D Expenditures and Personnel, 2024–2026

Statistics Canada published new data sets detailing research and development expenditures, personnel numbers, and technology payment flows for Canadian private non-profit organizations covering actual figures for 2024, preliminary estimates for 2025, and intentions for 2026. Full dataset available via StatsCan.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Alberta Invests $28 Million in Industrial Emissions Reduction and Renewable Energy Technologies

Alberta announced $28 million in funding for six provincial projects to improve energy production, carbon capture pipeline security, methane reduction in agriculture, and restoration technologies for well sites, all financed through Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Industrial Transformation Challenge.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Ontario Secures $23 Million Investment Agreement with Diageo to Strengthen Agri-Food and Packaging Supply Chains

The Ontario government reached an agreement with Diageo, resulting in nearly $23 million in investments supporting local manufacturing, packaging, and agricultural production. This deal ensures continued supply of Crown Royal products and boosts economic activity across multiple regions.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Issues Major Fines for Environmental Protection Act Violations by Waste Management Company and Directors

Mario Cascio, Wesley Dass, and 11705580 Canada Inc. have been fined a combined $1,025,000 for multiple violations related to unauthorized waste disposal and failing to comply with provincial directives regarding waste cleanup.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Quebec Announces Expansion and Modernization of Polytechnique Montréal

The Government of Quebec begins expansion and modernization works at Polytechnique Montréal, aimed at increasing student capacity and aligning engineering education with new economic demands.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

BC Housing Launches RFPs for Prefabricated Housing Projects with DASH Digital Platform

BC Housing issued requests for proposals to construction manager-manufacturer teams for two housing projects utilizing prefabricated materials and the Digitally Accelerated Standardized Housing (DASH) platform to expedite affordable home delivery.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Opens Consultation on Safeguards and Nuclear Material Accountancy (REGDOC-2.13.1)

A new consultation is open on REGDOC-2.13.1, outlining requirements and guidance for safeguards programs for organizations possessing nuclear material or conducting nuclear-related manufacturing. Consultation runs until April 27, 2026.

Sources: www.cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Titan Mining Welcomes U.S. AD/CVD Determination Imposing At Least 160% Duties on Chinese Graphite Imports: Coverage of US trade policy's impact on mineral supply chains.
• How Canadian technology can help stabilize the rocky market for rare earth elements: Analysis of technological solutions for rare earth element market volatility.
• Industrial real estate embraces sustainable design: Examination of shifts in Canadian industrial real estate toward sustainable practices.
• Former Local 444 president stresses need for incentives to improve Ontario’s skilled trades: Discussion on Ontario’s skilled trades and workforce investment.
• Clarios selects its Meadowbrook facility in Holland, Michigan, as assembly site for supercapacitor systems: Report on US assembly facility expansion for energy storage technology.
• UN report aims to map out ways to make business and biodiversity both sustainable: Overview of international efforts linking business and biodiversity.
• WP Daily: Exporters demand solution to trade with Europe: Coverage of Canadian exporters navigating trade with Europe.
• Manufacturing Update - 9 January 2026: US industry newsletter reviewing manufacturing market conditions.
• Canada advances new Auto Strategy by expanding EV charging infrastructure across the country: Details surrounding Canada's automotive strategy and infrastructure expansion.
• Municipality Fined $16,000 for Environmental Protection Act Violations: Ontario township fined for EPA violations at landfill.

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