Minister Olszewski highlights the positive impact Budget 2026 will have for Alberta businesses and announces new investments to help Calgary-area businesses overcome tariff-related challenges

CALGARY, AB, Nov. 13, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canada has the resources, talent, energy, stability, and market access needed to compete in global markets, achieve economic strength and advance innovative technologies.

Regional Tariff Response Initiative. $17.6M to help Calgary-area businesses overcome tariff-related challenges

Our new government is focused on what we can control, and that includes measures to ensure that Canadian businesses – and the people who rely on them for good jobs and a high quality of life – continue to achieve success by advancing innovation, increasing productivity, modernizing operations and competing in global markets. Budget 2026 supports Canadian businesses of all sizes with measures to drive investment, boost productivity, diversify trade, and create good jobs.

Today, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), was in Calgary to highlight the Productivity Mega Deduction detailed in Budget 2026. Minister Olszewski also announced more than $17 million in Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) investments for 18 Calgary-area businesses. Together, these initiatives are strengthening Alberta businesses to support a stronger, more competitive and more resilient Canadian economy.

The Productivity Mega Deduction is a Budget 2026 initiative to further strengthen Canada's business-friendly reputation while creating conditions to catalyse significant business investment. The Productivity Mega Deduction incentivizes businesses to invest in equipment, technologies and capacity they need to enhance productivity, expand production, create good jobs and seize new market opportunities. It does so by lowering the marginal effective tax rate on new business investment from 13 per cent to 6.4 per cent, the lowest of any major economy in the world and less than half the rate in the United States. The Productivity Mega Deduction will provide businesses of all sizes across Alberta and Canada with the significant, flexible support they need to overcome their specific challenges.

This government and Budget 2026 also acknowledge that unjustified U.S. tariffs are increasing costs, disrupting supply chains, and creating new uncertainty for businesses. It's why the Government of Canada has committed $3.45 billion for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI). RTRI helps businesses to invest in new equipment and automation, expand production, bring more work in-house and pursue new markets. Eighteen Calgary-area businesses operating in a range of industries, including construction, advanced manufacturing, agriculture and health sciences received up to $1 million each in non-repayable RTRI contributions as part of today's announcement. These RTRI-funded businesses can use the Productivity Mega Deduction to make their investments go further. A full list of the 18 projects receiving RTRI investment through PrairiesCan can be found in the linked backgrounder.

The Productivity Mega Deduction is making it significantly less expensive for businesses to invest, expand, and become more productive in Canada. Through this measure and other initiatives in Budget 2026, this government is working to turn investment into higher productivity, better careers, rising incomes, and a more affordable life for Canadians.

Quotes

"Being masters of our destiny is about having the confidence to build on our strengths and shape our own future. Canada has the resources, talent, and ambition to succeed. Budget 2026 builds on those strengths by unlocking investment, building more at home, strengthening our energy and natural resource advantage, and helping Canadian businesses grow and compete on the world stage. That's how we will create good jobs, make life more affordable, and build a stronger, more resilient, and more united Canada for generations to come."
– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue

"Alberta businesses have always found ways to get things done. Budget 2026 is helping them invest, grow and compete, including through the Productivity Mega Deduction, which makes it easier to invest in new technology, equipment and productive capacity. Combined with targeted investments through PrairiesCan, we are helping Alberta businesses become more productive, reach new markets, create good jobs and build a stronger Canadian economy."
–The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)

Quick facts

• Rising productivity is helping lay the foundation for stronger wage growth and higher living standards, with productivity increasing by 1.2% over the last year, compared with average growth of just 0.1% following the pandemic.
• Canada has the lowest tax burden on new investment in the G7, encouraging businesses to invest, innovate, and grow in Canada.
• Canada's economy grew by 3.3% in the second quarter, the fastest pace in the G7.
• $17.6 million in federal investment announced today is provided through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) which is administered by Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) across the Prairie provinces.
• The Government of Canada's $3.45 billion investment in RTRI funding is part of a $7.5 billion package for workers and businesses affected by U.S. tariffs. The package also includes a $2 billion Canada Strong Diversification Fund, $500 million in new BDC liquidity support, $3.5 billion in Rapid Response Supports for Workers and Employers, and new flexibilities under the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan facility.

Backgrounder

Today, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), announced $17.6 million in non-repayable funding for 18 projects led by businesses in Calgary and Rocky View through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI).

Funding supports 18 businesses across high-growth sectors, mainly in advanced manufacturing, with additional investments in digital industries, value-added agriculture, clean technology, and health and biosciences.

These investments will help local small- and medium-sized businesses build on existing efforts to grow, improve productivity, strengthen domestic trade opportunities, and position themselves to diversify their markets. In total, today's investments will support more than 190 jobs and help the funded organizations achieve tangible outcomes.

Projects receiving non-repayable RTRI support include:

• Aaron Machine Shop is receiving $750,000 to purchase and install specialized equipment that will improve productivity and bolster global competitiveness.
• Agents of Discovery is receiving $1 million to enhance its AI platform and increase sales activities in new international markets, boosting growth and long-term resilience.
• Alberta Veterinary Laboratories is receiving $1 million to expand and modernize its Calgary manufacturing facility, increasing domestic production capacity and strengthening Canada's veterinary pharmaceutical supply chain.
• Bells of Steel is receiving $1 million to enhance warehouse operations and accelerate digital transformation through AI-driven automation, enhanced marketing capabilities, and new online revenue streams to support exports and business growth.
• Big Rock Brewery is receiving $850,000 to modernize its manufacturing capacity, increase production, expand its co-packing services, and support the development of new beverage products and packaging formats.
• CDR Systems is receiving $1 million to acquire advanced manufacturing equipment to boost production capacity, automate fabrication processes, and support market diversification and international expansion.
• Compass Energy Systems is receiving $1 million to install advanced computer numerical control (CNC) manufacturing technology at its Calgary facility, improving productivity, increasing capacity, and supporting export growth.
• DV8 Energy is receiving $1 million to strengthen engineering, manufacturing readiness, and export development capabilities, reducing reliance on foreign supply chains and supporting international expansion.
• Fine Machine Works is receiving $1 million to enhance its advanced manufacturing capabilities, increasing productivity and production capacity while supporting growth in aerospace and defence markets.
• Grant Metal Products is receiving $1 million to expand production capacity and improve productivity through advanced manufacturing equipment, supporting new products and market growth.
• Levy's Machine Works is receiving $1 million to modernize and expand its operations through advanced manufacturing technologies, automation, and workforce development that will increase efficiency, capacity, and competitiveness in the aerospace and defence sectors.
• Northern RNA is receiving $1 million to commercialize its proprietary Cap Analog 2.0 technology, strengthen Canada's biomanufacturing sector, and expand into international markets.
• Proform Construction Products is receiving $1 million to modernize its precast concrete manufacturing operations, boosting productivity, capacity, and competitiveness while supporting housing, infrastructure, and economic growth across Western Canada.
• Solico Metal is receiving $1 million to implement advanced automation technologies and expand manufacturing capacity, improving productivity and competitiveness in a changing global trade environment.
• Sureway Metal Systems is receiving $1 million to expand manufacturing capacity, launch a new product line, and improve productivity through investments in advanced fabrication equipment.
• TCG Machines is receiving $1 million to expand production capacity, improve productivity, and diversify export markets through facility, software, and manufacturing process upgrades.
• Tech-Wood Building Components is receiving $1 million to expand and modernize its Calgary facility, increasing automation and production capacity to help meet growing housing demand.
• Zen Living is receiving $1 million to expand local manufacturing, introduce Thermally Fused Laminate (TFL) production, and launch a direct-to-consumer sales platform to improve competitiveness and supply chain resilience.

Associated links

• Budget 2026: Masters of our destiny
• News Release: Government of Canada releases Budget 2026: Masters of our destiny
• Backgrounder: Budget 2026: Key Measures
• Backgrounder: Government of Canada introduces new Productivity Mega Deduction to boost Canada's advantage as the most competitive G7 country for new business investment
• Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) in the Prairie provinces

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SOURCE Prairies Economic Development Canada

Contacts: Media Relations, Department of Finance Canada, [email protected], 613-369-4000; Evan Brick, Senior Communications Advisor and Issues Manager, Office of the Hon. Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, [email protected], 343-597-7279; Brennan Bunko, Senior Communications Advisor, Prairies Economic Development Canada, [email protected], 587-338-3690