Canada’s steel and aluminum sectors are key contributors to the Canadian economy, creating well-paying jobs and providing key inputs for major industries. Mr Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, announced over USD 4.9 million in funding for 10 companies across British Columbia. The funding is being provided under the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation Steel and Aluminum Initiative, announced in March 2019. Delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies, the funding provides targeted support to Canadian small and medium sized businesses in the steel, aluminum, and manufacturing sectors through non-repayable contributions for projects to enhance productivity, increase competitiveness by adopting new innovative technologies, and create more highly skilled jobs. With this funding, these companies will design new products, open new facilities, and install advanced manufacturing equipment, thereby creating approximately 97 jobs in local economies.
Canada’s steel and aluminum sector is an important contributor to our economy and to our manufacturing supply chains, providing thousands of Canadians with good, middle-class jobs. This funding initiative provides small and medium-sized businesses with consistent support across all regions of Canada, while tailoring support to meet regional needs.
| Recipient | Project Description | Location | Funding |
| Rapid-Span Structures Ltd. | Implement state of the art machinery to increase productivity | Armstrong, BC | $1,000,000 |
| Unifab Industries Ltd. | Acquire, install, and commission an automated processing system. | Grand Forks, BC | $483,227 |
| Timber West Construction Ltd. | Install blasting and coating equipment to grow local steel capacity. | Prince George, BC | $500,000 |
| New World Technologies Inc. | Purchase and install two automated computer numerical controlled (CNC) machines to increase productivity and production capacity. | Abbotsford, BC | $500,200 |
| Coulson Ice Blast Ltd. | Purchase equipment to relocate manufacturing capabilities to their Port Alberni facility and launch a new ice blast cleaning system to reduce production costs and increase sales. | Port Alberni, BC | $359,000 |
| Daigle Marine Inc. | Purchase equipment to modernize and automate its boat building operations to improve productivity. | Campbell River, BC | $417,185 |
| Structa Wire ULC | Develop a new manufacturing facility to commercialize a new product line. | Vancouver, BC | $713,250 |
| K G Industries Ltd. | Implement new equipment to increase production efficiencies and capabilities. | Cawston, BC | $479,250 |
| Pacific Bolt Manufacturing Ltd. | Implement enterprise re
|