Backgrounder: Government of Canada invests over $30 million to help B.C. businesses navigate trade disruptions and seize new opportunities

Today, the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), announced an investment of over $30.5 million in RTRI funding for 24 businesses and organizations across B.C. to help them pivot to new pathways for growth, improve productivity, expand into new markets, reduce costs, and build more resilient supply chains. This investment will also help protect jobs in key sectors affected by global trade disruptions such as advanced manufacturing, forestry, and steel and aluminum.

The investments announced today are:

Nanaimo Forest Products — $5,500,000 

Nanaimo Forest Products operates the Harmac Pacific pulp mill, producing high-quality wood pulp for global markets. The investment will help the company install new equipment to increase production capacity at its mill, improving efficiency and reducing costs. This project will help maintain forestry jobs, strengthen one of Vancouver Island’s major industrial employers, and improve the competitiveness of B.C. pulp products in global markets. This project was approved in February 2026.

BC Wood Specialties Group — $5,280,480 

BC Wood is an industry association that supports B.C. wood manufacturers with market development, export readiness and buyer engagement. The investment will help local wood product companies participate in international trade shows and missions, connect with buyers, explore new markets, and secure new business opportunities in Canada, Mexico, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. This will help B.C. manufacturers reach new customers, grow export sales, and strengthen the province’s value-added wood products sector. This project was approved in February 2026.

Quadrogen — $3,600,000 

Quadrogen is a clean technology company that develops systems to clean and upgrade biogas — a renewable gas made from organic waste — into energy. The investment will help Quadrogen design, manufacture and demonstrate a lower-cost biogas clean-up and upgrading system for deployment in developing markets, including India. This project will support skilled jobs in B.C., strengthen clean technology exports, and help reduce methane emissions. This project was approved in February 2026.

Novarc Technologies — $1,988,184 

Novarc is a robotics company that designs and manufactures automated welding systems used in industrial sectors such as shipbuilding, construction, and oil and gas. The investment will help Novarc establish a customer experience centre in the Netherlands to demonstrate its robotic welding systems and provide local sales and technical support to European customers. This project will support skilled jobs, strengthen Canadian robotics and advanced manufacturing, and help a B.C. company diversify exports into global markets. This project was approved in February 2026.

Canadian Bavarian Millwork & Lumber — $1,000,000 

Canadian Bavarian Millwork & Lumber is a wood products manufacturer that produces high-end, made-to-order wood products for architects, builders and designers. The investment will help the company modernize its facility, install advanced manufacturing equipment, and pursue new export markets. This project will support jobs in a rural community, strengthen the regional forestry sector, and help producers turn B.C. wood into higher-value finished products. This project was approved in February 2026.

COTA Aviation — $1,000,000 

COTA is a majority Indigenous‑owned company that manufactures specialized parts for aircraft and defence applications. The investment will help COTA purchase and install advanced equipment to produce gears for use in aircraft and defence systems in B.C. This project will support skilled jobs, strengthen Indigenous‑led advanced manufacturing, and build domestic aerospace and defence supply chain capacity in Western Canada. This project was approved in January 2026.

GMI Wheels — $1,000,000 

GMI Wheels is a manufacturer specializing in wheels and rims for mining, construction, and industrial equipment used around the world. The investment will help the company upgrade its manufacturing facility, adopt new production technologies, and increase domestic manufacturing capacity. This project will strengthen Canadian manufacturing supply chains and help the company grow exports while reducing reliance on imported components. This project was approved in June 2026.

Hemlock Printers — $1,000,000 

Hemlock Printers provides high-quality commercial printing and packaging services to customers across North America. The investment will help Hemlock modernize its facility by adding automation and new equipment, bringing its specialized book-binding work back to B.C. This project will support jobs, strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity, and help a B.C. company expand into higher-value markets. This project was approved in February 2026.

Kamloops Precision Machining — $1,000,000 

Kamloops Precision Machining is an advanced manufacturer that makes and repairs parts for heavy-duty machinery used in mining, energy and construction. The investment will help the company add laser coating technology to improve the durability and performance of metal components. This project will support skilled jobs in B.C.’s Interior, strengthen domestic advanced manufacturing, and help Canadian industries access cleaner alternatives to traditional metal coating processes. This project was approved in January 2026.

Mahler Machining — $1,000,000 

Mahler Machining is a manufacturer that produces custom, high-precision metal and plastic components needed for specialized machinery, including aircrafts, deep-sea vehicles, medical devices, robotics, forestry equipment and clean technology. This investment will help Mahler modernize its facility by adding advanced equipment, automation, and new software to improve productivity and support expansion into new markets. This project will support skilled jobs, strengthen B.C.’s advanced manufacturing capacity, and help Canadian manufacturers supply high-value components to domestic and global customers. This project was approved in January 2026.

Niik Steel — $1,000,000 

Niik Steel is a steel fabrication and engineering company that supplies structural steel products for commercial, industrial and public infrastructure projects. The investment will help Niik establish a new facility to produce metal decking, flooring, and other steel building components in Western Canada. This will strengthen domestic construction supply chains and increase access to locally made building materials for projects across B.C. and Canada. This project was approved in February 2026.

One Degree Organic Foods — $1,000,000 

One Degree is a food manufacturer that produces organic oat products and other plant-based foods for Canadian and global markets. The investment will help the company automate production and packaging, develop new products, and promote its product internationally. This will strengthen B.C. and Canadian food supply chains and help a local company grow into new markets. This project was approved in January 2026.

PowerWood — $1,000,000 

PowerWood is a value-added manufacturer that produces wood products using inputs from B.C. suppliers. The investment will help PowerWood modernize its production line with advanced sawing, handling, moisture-measuring, packaging and business analytics systems, while developing thermally modified wood products. This project will support jobs in a rural community, strengthen B.C.’s forestry sector, and help the company diversify export markets while increasing the value of Canadian wood products. This project was approved in January 2026.

Accelovant — $990,000 

Accelovant is a technology company that designs and manufactures fibre optic temperature sensors used in semiconductor equipment, AI data centres and industrial power systems. The investment will help Accelovant expand and automate its manufacturing, bring key production activities back to B.C., and obtain certifications for new export markets. This will support skilled jobs, strengthen supply chains, and help this B.C. company grow exports while keeping production capacity in Canada. This project was approved in December 2025.

OSENSA Innovations — $650,000 

OSENSA is a technology manufacturer that makes fibre optic sensing technologies used to monitor high-voltage electrical infrastructure such as data centres and industrial facilities. The investment will help OSENSA expand its manufacturing facility, add automated production and testing equipment, and improve products for global equipment manufacturers. This will support skilled jobs, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and help a B.C. company expand exports to data centre markets in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. This project was approved in January 2026. 

Dynamic Fenestration — $550,000 

Dynamic Fenestration is a manufacturer of high-end custom windows and doors for luxury residential and commercial buildings across North America. The investment will help the company expand its energy-efficient product offerings and reach new markets, supporting clean growth and creating good jobs in the advancing manufacturing sector. This project was approved in February 2026. 

Newton Industries — $500,000 

Newton Industries is a women-owned manufacturer that makes custom plastic products all produced through a zero-waste model using recycled ocean plastics, bottles, and film. The investment will help the company modernize and automate its production processes, expand its workforce, and develop new products. This project will strengthen domestic supply chains and help Newton Industries increase production and expand into new export markets. This project was approved in June 2026. 

Atome Bakery — $487,500 

Atome Bakery is a food manufacturer that makes frozen sourdough breads and pastries that customers can bake fresh at home. The investment will help Atome establish a centralized Canadian distribution hub, update packaging, and expand sales into new Canadian markets. This will strengthen Canada’s food supply chain, increase demand for Canadian ingredients and services, and support good jobs in food manufacturing. This project was approved in June 2026. 

Longboard Architectural Products — $400,000 

Longboard is a manufacturer of premium external building components for commercial and residential buildings across Canada and the United States. The investment will help Longboard modernize its facility by acquiring new manufacturing equipment, which will strengthen domestic supply chains, support export diversification into new markets, and create high-quality manufacturing jobs. This project was approved in March 2026. 

Clearview Horticultural Products — $391,000 

Clearview Horticultural Products is a grower of clematis and other flowering vines for customers across Canada and the United States. The investment will help the company modernize and automate its greenhouse operations through advanced climate-control systems and new production equipment. This project will support skilled jobs and strengthen the domestic and global competitiveness of a Canadian horticultural producer. This project was approved in June 2026. 

BC Shellfish Growers’ Association — $363,800 

The BC Shellfish Growers’ Association is an organization that represents shellfish farmers, processors, hatcheries, and suppliers across British Columbia’s seafood sector. The investment will support trade missions, market development activities, industry analysis, and technical improvements to help producers reach new customers and expand production. This will help strengthen B.C.’s seafood industry, diversify export markets, and support jobs and economic growth in coastal communities. This project was approved in June 2026. 

Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) — $300,000 

VIEA is a non-profit organization that helps businesses across Vancouver Island grow, connect with partners, and access new opportunities. The investment will support programs that connect local producers with buyers, strengthen regional supply chains, and help businesses enter new domestic and international markets. This project will strengthen regional food and manufacturing supply chains and create new opportunities for economic growth across Vancouver Island. This project was approved in June 2026. 

Grin Technologies — $283,399 

Grin Technologies is a manufacturer that designs and produces electric motors, controllers and components for e-bikes and other light electric vehicles. The investment will help Grin expand production, develop new supply partnerships, obtain European market certification, and grow sales in new international markets. This will strengthen Canada’s clean transportation supply chain and help a B.C. company expand global sales. This project was approved in February 2026. 

Jastram Engineering — $225,000 

Jastram Engineering is a manufacturer of steering and control systems used on commercial, recreational, and defence vessels. The investment will help Jastram purchase advanced equipment and train staff to increase production capacity and improve manufacturing efficiency. This project will support skilled jobs, strengthen Canada’s marine and defence supply chains, and help the company expand into new domestic and international markets. This project was approved in June 2026.

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• News release: Government of Canada invests over $30 million to help B.C. businesses navigate trade disruptions and seize new opportunities