PRINCE GEORGE, BC, Sept. 4, 2026 /CNW/ -- 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 below.

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

• Since August 2021, PacifiCan has invested over $33.6 million in 85 projects located in Northern B.C.
• The investments announced today were provided through PacifiCan's Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) and the Community Economic Development and Diversification Program (CEDD). 
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Associated Links 

• PacifiCan 
• Open Waters Solar
• Indigenous Food Sovereignty Association
• Regional Tariff Response Initiative
• Community Economic Development and Diversification program
• Canada announces targeted countermeasures and substantive support for workers and businesses in response to U.S. tariffs

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Backgrounder

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 forestry 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.

The investments announced today are:

Regional Tariff Response Initiative

BKB Cedar Manufacturing - $672,500
BKB Cedar Manufacturing is a McBride-based company that manufactures and supplies Western Red Cedar landscaping mulch, and split rail and post fencing for stores across Canada and the U.S. The investment will support the installation of a first-of-its-kind precision cedar processing system that will improve operational efficiency while reducing waste. This project will help BKB Cedar Manufacturing grow its sales, strengthen domestic supply chains, and support jobs in a rural community.

East Fraser Fiber Co. Ltd. - $475,000
East Fraser Fiber produces sustainable wood products using fibre recovered from residual materials. With this investment, the company will replace aging machinery at its Mackenzie facility. The project will strengthen B.C.'s forest sector and manufacturing supply chains, increase domestic sales of construction-grade lumber, support market diversification, and help secure skilled jobs in northern B.C.

Great Glacier Salmon Ltd. - $223,500
Great Glacier Salmon is a Prince Rupert-based business that processes and distributes wild salmon harvested from the Lower Stikine River. The investment will support upgrades to processing and loading equipment, as well as modifications to a transport vessel, to create new Canadian distribution routes for frozen salmon. This project will strengthen Canada's seafood supply chain, expand interprovincial trade, and support job creation and economic growth.

North Pine Farmers institute (NPFI) – $2,000,000
NPFI operates a grain terminal in Fort St. John that serves agricultural producers across Northeastern British Columbia. The investment will help NPFI expand grain storage and improve loading and transportation capacity at its facility. This project will strengthen supply chains, improve market access for farm businesses, support market diversification, and help producers respond to changing trade conditions.

Open Waters Solar - $450,000
Based in Prince George, Open Waters Solar manufactures impact-resistant solar panels for marine and transportation applications. The investment 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 clean energy products to more domestic and international customers.

SkyWest Environmental Contracting Inc. - $1,000,000
SkyWest Environmental Contracting is an Indigenous-owned company based in Williams Lake that provides forestry, excavation, and environmental services across the Cariboo region. The investment will help the company purchase specialized equipment to improve the collection and transportation of fibre. This will support jobs, strengthen domestic forest sector supply chains, and create new revenue opportunities in Canadian markets.

Community Economic Development and Diversification program

BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) - $1,230,000
The BCAFN supports and represents First Nations across British Columbia. The investment will help establish the First Nations Centre of Excellence in Prince George, which will provide economic and business development advisory services for northern First Nations communities. The project will help Indigenous communities and businesses participate in major resource, infrastructure, and clean energy projects, and support increased Indigenous participation in B.C.'s economy.

Indigenous Food Sovereignty Association - $1,600,040
The Indigenous Food Sovereignty Association delivers Indigenous-led training and workforce development programs at Tea Creek Farm in Kitwanga. This investment will support the construction of 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.

Portland Canal Terminals LP - $672,134
Portland Canal Terminals LP is a Stewart-based port operator and Indigenous-led partnership between the Nisga'a Nation, Tahltan Nation, and Arrow Transportation Systems. This investment will support engineering studies, operational modelling, and implementation 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.

University of British Columbia (UBC) - $2,861,053
UBC is working with communities in northern B.C. to test how drone technology can be used to deliver goods and services to rural and remote areas. This investment will support the testing and deployment of drone technology, workforce training, youth skills development, and pilot projects with the Stellat'en First Nation and the Village of Fraser Lake. The project will strengthen regional supply chains, create skilled jobs and business opportunities, support Indigenous economic participation, and help diversify the northern B.C. economy.

SOURCE Pacific Economic Development Canada