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: 2026-03-01 to 2026-03-07

📋 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: Regulation of AI in Canada’s Strategic Industries: On March 9, the Industry and Technology committee will examine opportunities, risks, and regulation of AI in strategic industries, with witnesses from Simon Fraser University, York University, Scale AI, and more. The session runs from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., including in camera review of Defence Industrial Strategy draft report.
• Environment and Sustainable Development Committee: Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: On March 10, the Environment committee will consider draft reports on the effectiveness and improvements for Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, scheduled from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• International Trade Committee: Canada’s Trade with Mercosur Countries: The International Trade committee meets March 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to hear witnesses including Canadian Cattle Association, Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce, and Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, focused on trade and manufacturing relations with Mercosur.

Federal Government News

Ottawa Supports Windsor Manufacturer with Tariff Relief Initiative

On March 6, the Honourable Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions), announced a federal investment of up to $700,000 to NextGen Mold Technologies in Windsor through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative. The funding will modernize the company’s advanced machining and automation, with the goal of enhancing manufacturing capabilities and efficiency. The investment supports market diversification and strengthens the economies of Ontario and Canada, particularly for the automotive sector. This measure is part of Canada’s new auto strategy led by Prime Minister Mark Carney and is administered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). The strategy includes targeted responses to tariff pressures and aims to maintain sector competitiveness in global markets.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian International Trade Tribunal Moves Forward with Inquiry on Thermoformed Molded Fibre Imports from China

On March 2, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) initiated a final injury inquiry, NQ-2025-008, regarding dumping and subsidizing of thermoformed molded fibre tableware imported from China. Pursuant to a notice from the Canada Border Services Agency, the Tribunal will determine by June 26, 2026, whether such imports have caused injury or pose a threat to Canada’s domestic industry. Interested parties may participate in the inquiry by submitting Form I—Notice of Participation. The CITT functions as a quasi-judicial body reporting to Parliament and addresses issues surrounding dumped goods, tariff protection, and federal procurement.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Investment Bolsters Innovation in British Columbia’s Manufacturing Sector

The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, announced over $3.6 million in federal funds to two Kootenay-based organizations. The Selkirk Technology Access Centre (STAC) receives $1.6 million to expand services and research in particle accelerator and ion source technologies, building capacity for local manufacturers. KC Recycling receives $1.9 million to increase battery processing capacity by 40 percent, including upgrades for material separation and plastics recycling. The investments aim to help businesses modernize, access industry networks, and recover lead and plastics for reuse, reinforcing manufacturing growth and supply chain resilience in the region.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada Announces Funding for New Brunswick Steel Sector Modernization

On March 5, Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, MP for Madawaska-Restigouche, delivered a federal investment of $750,000 through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative to Max Steel Inc. in Clair, New Brunswick. The funds will accelerate the adoption of new production technologies, enhance supply chain strength in the steel sector, and improve operational efficiency. Minister Sean Fraser stated that the investment helps companies respond to tariffs and adapt to global economic uncertainties by pursuing modernization and new market opportunities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Support for Manufacturing Innovation and Capacity in Quebec Regions

Bienvenu-Olivier Ntumba, MP for Mont-Saint-Bruno–L’Acadie, announced a repayable contribution of $250,000 from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) to LABPLAS. The company specializes in the manufacture of sterile sampling products for laboratory testing. The funding will go towards new equipment, boosting productivity, production capacity, and international competitiveness. This investment was made under CED’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Assistance Drives Growth in Laurentides Manufacturing Sector

Madeleine Chenette, MP for Thérèse-De Blainville, announced more than $2.26 million in repayable contributions across six Laurentides manufacturing firms: Eagle Hydraulic, Pubco Products International, UberSpec Expertises, Garde‑Malade, Grillage Bolar (Canada), and EcoFab3D. Funds, issued via CED’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program, are intended to accelerate technological adoption, boost local supply chains, and foster productivity in Montreal’s North Shore.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Investment in the Prairies Advances Wood-Based Construction Materials

On March 6, Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced over $4.4 million in federal funding for 10 forestry projects in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Western Archrib Enterprises Ltd. will use $2.3 million to commission a fully automated mass timber manufacturing plant in Alberta, increasing annual output to 30–35 million board feet. Other projects support Indigenous forestry organizations, capacity development, seed collection networks, and research to update building codes and standards for mass timber construction. Investments are focused on production scalability, export market diversification, and operational automation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and EU Advance Critical Raw Materials Strategic Partnership

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson met with European Commission Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné on March 2 during PDAC 2026 in Toronto. Both reaffirmed the EU-Canada Strategic Partnership on Raw Materials and announced a Letter of Intent between the European Investment Bank and Government of Canada to cooperate on critical minerals. The meeting included progress on the EU-Canada Industrial Policy Dialogue, regulatory coordination, and efforts to reduce barriers for industry. Bilateral engagement targets supply chain security, investment facilitation, and competitiveness in strategic sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Hajdu Initiates National Plan for Mining and Minerals Workforce Challenges

On March 2, Minister Patty Hajdu convened industry participants at the PDAC convention in Toronto to launch actions under the Mining and Minerals Workforce Alliance. The initiative addresses workforce shortages tied to exploration, extraction, mineral processing, and supply chain development. The alliance is part of a national productivity strategy focused on advanced manufacturing, supply chains, energy, and resource sectors. The Canadian mining sector contributed $112 billion to GDP in 2024 and directly employed about 438,000 workers.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Issues Fourth Quarter 2025 Productivity Update

Statistics Canada reported that labour productivity in Canadian businesses declined by 0.1% in Q4 2025. Hours worked fell at a slower pace than real GDP, which declined by 0.2%. This contrasts with the previous quarter’s productivity uptick of 1.1%. The report signals ongoing fluctuation across manufacturing and related sectors.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatsCan Releases Data on Government Support for Business Innovation and Growth

Statistics Canada has published its Business Innovation and Growth Support (BIGS) statistical program findings. Developed in partnership with the Treasury Board Secretariat, the program tracks financial and service-based support provided by the federal government across various streams. The dataset provides insight into federal funding allocations relevant to manufacturers pursuing innovation and operational growth.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Launches Updated Critical Minerals Strategy

Ontario has released plans to modernize its Critical Minerals Strategy, adding high-purity iron and aluminum to its Critical Minerals List. The strategy focuses on regulatory certainty, supply chain resiliency, and strengthening workforce capacity to support manufacturers amid global tariff pressures.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba Government Celebrates Opening of All-Canadian Bus Manufacturing Facility

The Manitoba government and federal partners participated in the opening of NFI Group Inc.’s Winnipeg facility on March 3, restoring domestic bus manufacturing and expanding production capacity for zero-emission transit.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Alberta Plans Incentive Program for Critical Minerals

Alberta is developing a new incentive program, targeted for launch in 2027, to attract investment in lithium and other minerals, including tax credits and increased Crown land access as part of its Minerals Strategy and Action Plan.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Ontario Celebrates Grand Opening of NextStar Energy Battery Facility in Windsor

Ontario marked the grand opening of NextStar Energy Inc.’s Windsor facility, Canada’s first commercial-scale battery manufacturing operation, set to create up to 2,500 jobs and produce advanced batteries for EVs and high-energy infrastructure.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

British Columbia Introduces Mandatory Crane Licensing and Permitting Program

British Columbia is implementing a new mandatory crane licensing and permitting system via WorkSafeBC to improve safety oversight, following a series of crane-related fatalities.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

CFIA Consultation: Proposed Amendments to the Susceptible Species of Aquatic Animals List

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is accepting public comment on changes to the Susceptible species of aquatic animals list until May 1, 2026.

Sources: inspection.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Canada’s first commercial-scale EV manufacturing facility could be ‘crucial piece’ for auto sector: Facility marks a strategic shift in Canada’s automotive supply chain.
• Say it ain't sew: B.C. to end PST exemption for yarn, other materials used to make or mend clothing: The province ends sales tax exemptions for materials used in textile production.
• Enbridge Gas president on sustainability, reliability — and why your gas bill has gone up: Enbridge Gas discusses price changes and reliability challenges.
• Due Diligence in Action: 1,000 Serious Supply Chain Issues Uncovered Weekly with SMETA: Ongoing supply chain monitoring reveals major issues weekly.
• Windsor manufacturing company gets big boost: Windsor-based NextGen Mold Technologies receives government investment.
• Canada’s first commercial-scale EV manufacturing facility set to open in Ontario: Ontario welcomes the opening of EV battery manufacturing.
• ‘More robots than cars’: Canadian firm gears up for the next industrial revolution: Canadian companies advance robotics in manufacturing.
• Canadian manufacturing PMI rises to 13-month high in February as new business increased: Manufacturing sector sees PMI rise with uptick in new business.
• Super-heavy loads affect travel in Edmonton region: Transportation of oversized equipment impacts regional logistics.
• New tools to clean up tailings ponds: Alberta invests in water reclamation and tailings cleanup technologies.

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