Funding comes through $1‑billion Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) designed to help Canadian firms deal with higher costs, disruptions linked to global tariffs
As human resources professionals struggle with shifting skills needs and the growing demand for advanced manufacturing talent, the federal government is lending a helping hand.
Ottawa is putting $4 million into four tariff‑impacted Alberta businesses to help them modernise operations, strengthen domestic supply chains and support more than 185 jobs in the province.
The funding – announced by Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) – comes through the $1‑billion Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), a national program designed to help Canadian firms deal with higher costs and disruptions linked to global tariffs.
“Global tariffs and shifting trade conditions are raising costs, disrupting supply chains, and putting pressure on Canadian businesses, including many in central Alberta,” PrairiesCan said in a news release.
Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for PrairiesCan, said the government is using the RTRI to help companies adapt and compete.
“Alberta businesses are adapting and innovating in the face of global tariff pressures,” Olszewski said. “Through measures such as the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, Canada’s new government is supporting their shift from reliance to resilience by helping them in new technologies, strengthen domestic supply chains, and expand into new markets.”
Small business confidence in Canada has taken a sharp step back in March as rising fuel and input costs, coupled with weak demand, weigh on entrepreneurs, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’ (CFIB).
4 employers funded in Alberta
In the news release, the federal government said that in “a rapidly changing world, Canada is focused on what we can control,” adding that it is “diversifying trade partnerships abroad and is building economic strength at home, including reducing internal barriers, improving domestic trade within Canada and supporting Alberta businesses to build a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy.”
Each of the four companies will receive a $1‑million contribution through PrairiesCan.
Barr‑Ag, a hay producer based near Olds, will use its funding to buy and install automated equipment “to improve operational efficiency and build capacity so it can expand its hay product lines and better compete in domestic and global markets.” According to PrairiesCan, the investment will “enable Barr‑Ag to launch new products, reduce production costs, strengthen agriculture supply chains and increase sales all while increasing revenue streams for farmers in the Olds area.”
With the funding, CAC Metal Recycling will expand and modernise its low‑iron (non‑ferrous) processing capabilities at its Acheson facility. PrairiesCan said the project will “enable the company to recover and refine a wider range of recyclable metals,” increase processing capacity and “reduce reliance on tariff‑sensitive imported steel products,” while strengthening domestic metal supply chains in the Greater Edmonton Area.
GN Corporations – based in Airdrie – will purchase and install automated Computer Numerical Control (CNC) equipment and digital manufacturing tools “to increase production capacity of their metal parts products.” PrairiesCan said the acquisition of advanced technologies will also “increase the accuracy of GN Corporations’ manufactured products, enabling them to expand sales in industries that demand extreme precision including aviation and defence,” and will “strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers for high‑precision aerospace components while supporting good jobs in Airdrie.”
Meanwhile, Red Deer Ironworks (RDI) has acquired specialised equipment, including a high‑capacity CNC machine, to bring manufacturing of its steel flow‑control products in‑house. The new equipment “reduces production costs and shortens customer order lead times, better enabling RDI to compete in domestic and global markets,” and has allowed the company “to increase production to two full time shifts, providing quality jobs in the Red Deer area,” according to PrairiesCan.
Wider strategy to bolster economic resilience
PrairiesCan said the RTRI investments demonstrate “the breadth of the government’s commitment” across multiple sectors, and form part of a wider strategy to bolster Canada’s economic resilience.
PrairiesCan continues to accept RTRI applications from eligible businesses and organisations across the Prairie provinces. Applications will be accepted until Dec. 31, 2027, or until all funding is used, according to the federal government.
Currently, Ontario and the federal government are investing $228.8 million over three years to help up to 27,000 workers retrain and upgrade their skills in response to U.S. tariffs and global trade disruptions. The federal government has also opened applications for a Worker Retention Grant for Work‑Sharing employers, aiming to help businesses hold on to staff while workers retrain during periods of reduced activity.
