Government of Canada invests over $11 million to strengthen businesses, jobs and communities in Northern B.C.
News release
September 4, 2026 – Prince George, British Columbia
Northern B.C. is home to innovative businesses, skilled workers, and communities with the ambition and resources to drive Canada’s economic growth. Today, many northern businesses and workers – like so many in Canada – are navigating uncertainty as tariffs and rapidly changing trade conditions increase costs, disrupt supply chains and threaten jobs.
As global trade pressures persist, the Government of Canada is focused on building Canada strong by investing in our businesses, strengthening our domestic capacity, boosting productivity, and opening new markets for Canadian products. Last week, the government announced a $7.5 billion package of new and enhanced measures for workers and businesses, including an additional $1.5 billion for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) to provide businesses affected by trade disruptions with greater access to liquidity and support for productivity, market diversification, and stronger supply chains. Businesses in British Columbia can apply for the enhanced RTRI program through PacifiCan starting September 8, 2026.
Today, the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), announced an investment of over $11 million for ten businesses and organizations across Northern B.C. to support jobs, productivity, and growth, including in key industries affected by global trade disruptions, such as the advanced manufacturing and forest sectors. These investments will help the region navigate current trade challenges while building skills, expanding economic participation, and creating new opportunities for long-term growth in local communities.
Minister Robertson made the announcement following a visit to Open Waters Solar, a Prince George manufacturer of impact-resistant solar panels for marine and transportation applications. A PacifiCan investment of $450,000 will help the company automate its manufacturing processes, upgrade its facility, and train employees to increase production capacity and efficiency. The project will support skilled jobs, strengthen clean technology manufacturing in Northern B.C., and help bring Canadian-made products to more domestic and international customers.
This announcement also includes investments for nine additional businesses and organizations in Northern B.C. Among them, Portland Canal Terminals LP, a Stewart-based port operator and Indigenous-led partnership, is receiving an investment of $672,134 to support engineering studies and planning for the modernization and expansion of the Port of Stewart. The project will help strengthen supply chain infrastructure, support critical minerals exports, and create economic opportunities in Northwest B.C. and Indigenous communities.
The Indigenous Food Sovereignty Association, an organization that delivers Indigenous-led training and workforce development programs in Kitwanga, is receiving an investment of $1.6 million to help construct a multi-functional trades training centre and food hub for Indigenous learners from rural and remote communities. The project will expand access to trades and entrepreneurship training, strengthen food security, and create new employment and business opportunities for Indigenous peoples.
The investments announced today will provide businesses, workers and communities across Northern B.C. with the tools they need to adapt to a rapidly changing global environment, strengthen local capacity, create new opportunities, and build a more resilient and diversified economy for British Columbians and all Canadians.
More details about these investments can be found in the backgrounder.
Quotes
“Northern B.C. businesses, workers and communities are vital to Canada’s economic strength. These investments will help businesses improve productivity, strengthen supply chains and reach new markets, while expanding skills and economic opportunities in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. By responding to today’s trade pressures and investing in the North’s long-term potential, we are supporting good jobs, growing businesses, and building a stronger Canadian economy.”
-The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
“We are grateful for PacifiCan’s support, which enables Open Waters Solar to scale manufacturing of our breakthrough technology, drive productivity through automation, attract investment, and create high-paying jobs in Northern BC. This funding positions us to expand our reach in European markets and compete on a global scale.”
-Tony Olynyk, Chief Commercial Officer, Open Waters Solar
Quick facts
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Since August 2021, PacifiCan has invested over $33.6 million in 85 projects located in Northern B.C.
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The investments announced today were provided through PacifiCan’s Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) and the Community Economic Development and Diversification Program (CEDD).
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The RTRI, delivered by Canada's regional development agencies (RDAs), is part of the Government of Canada's strategy to defend Canadian jobs, industries and supply chains. It is part of a coordinated effort to protect Canadian businesses and workers from the impacts of tariffs.
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The RTRI provides $3.45 billion over 4 years to support small and medium-sized businesses impacted by tariffs to help them adapt to changing market conditions, strengthen their competitiveness, diversify into new markets, and build greater trade resilience with more flexibility to address liquidity pressures.
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More broadly, the Government of Canada is introducing a $7.5 billion package of new and enhanced measures that deliver fast, simple and agile supports to Canadian workers and businesses, building on the nearly $25 billion in supports the government has provided since the implementation of the U.S. unjustified tariffs.
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The Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) program creates enduring economic benefits for British Columbians by investing in projects that harness local ambitions, assets, knowledge and economic opportunities to create more prosperous and resilient communities.
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Contacts
Arianna Durgerian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister responsible for PacifiCan
arianna.durgerian@infc.gc.ca
Lynsey Brothers
Communications Manager
PacifiCan
lynsey.brothers@pacifican.gc.ca
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