Government of Canada invests over $10 million to help Lower Mainland businesses navigate trade disruptions and seize new opportunities

RICHMOND, BC, Aug. 28, 2026 /CNW/ -- 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. British Columbia is one of Canada's most dynamic economic regions. B.C. businesses, workers, and communities have helped build prosperity and resilience through innovation, entrepreneurship, strong trade ties, and strength in a diversity of sectors from manufacturing to natural resources to life sciences and digital technology. As global trade pressures persist, the Government of Canada is protecting Canadian workers and businesses, defending industries harmed by unjustified U.S. tariffs, and helping Canadian producers compete with U.S. products in the Canadian market.

Government of Canada invests over $10 million to help Lower Mainland businesses navigate trade disruptions and seize new opportunities

Earlier this week, the Government of Canada announced it is strengthening the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) with an additional investment of $1.5 billion to support Canadian businesses affected by trade disruptions, including liquidity supports to manage the pressures related to tariffs. This funding will help businesses improve productivity, diversify markets, and strengthen supply chains and trade resilience.

Today, the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), announced an investment of over $10 million in RTRI funding for 12 businesses and organizations across B.C.'s Lower Mainland to help them pivot to new pathways for growth, improve productivity, expand into new markets, reduce costs, and build more resilient supply chains. This investment will also help protect jobs in key sectors affected by global trade disruptions such as advanced manufacturing, forestry, and steel and aluminum.

Minister Robertson made the announcement at Nickels Cabinets, a Richmond-based manufacturer of custom kitchen cabinets for homes and businesses. A PacifiCan investment of $1,000,000 will help Nickels modernize its operations with new equipment, adopt new technology, and expand its showroom network across B.C. This will improve the company's productivity, grow domestic sales, and create jobs while supporting Canada's homebuilding industry.

This announcement includes investments for 11 additional B.C. businesses and organizations. Among them, Mar-Con Wire Belt, a Richmond-based manufacturer of custom conveyor belts used in the food processing sector, is receiving a PacifiCan investment of $1,000,000 to support automation, improve productivity, and expand product offerings. This will increase competitiveness, strengthen Canadian supply chains, and support growth in domestic and export markets.

The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (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. Through PacifiCan, businesses in B.C. can access the RTRI. PacifiCan will also work with businesses to understand their circumstances and connect them with other federal supports, ensuring there is no wrong door for businesses needing help.

More details about these investments can be found in the backgrounder below.

Quotes

"Trade disruptions are threatening the industries that drive Canada's economy. That is why the Government of Canada is standing up for Canadian businesses and making investments that strengthen our supply chains, grow productivity, and open doors to new markets. By investing in B.C. businesses, we are protecting good jobs and strengthening Canada's long-term economic resilience."

- The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada

"Small businesses and workers drive British Columbia's economy and strengthen communities across our province. As businesses adjust to unjustified tariffs, our government is investing in their success, protecting jobs, and creating opportunities for long-term growth. We will always stand with Canadian businesses and Canadian workers."

- The Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

"Richmond's businesses have consistently demonstrated resilience, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial spirit. With support from this PacifiCan investment, they will be better positioned to overcome the challenges posed by unfair and illegal tariffs, continue innovating, and compete with confidence on the world stage. I remain committed to helping more businesses diversify, grow, and thrive."

- Parm Bains, Member of Parliament for Steveston–Richmond East

"With support from the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, Nickels will accelerate key equipment purchases and advance strategies to expand our Canadian customer base through our Heirloom division. Amid current market uncertainty, these efforts will create new good‑paying jobs and strengthen our operational competitiveness."

- Ted Federau, GM, Nickels Custom Cabinets Ltd.

Quick facts

• The investments announced today were provided through PacifiCan's Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI).
• 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.

Associated Links 

• PacifiCan 
• Nickels Cabinets
• Regional Tariff Response Initiative
• Canada announces targeted countermeasures and substantive support for workers and businesses in response to U.S. tariffs
• Canada Strong 

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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 $10 million in RTRI funding for 12 businesses and organizations across B.C.'s Lower Mainland to help them pivot to new pathways for growth, improve productivity, expand into new markets, reduce costs, and build more resilient supply chains. This investment will also help protect jobs in key sectors affected by global trade disruptions such as advanced manufacturing, forestry, and steel and aluminum.  

The investments announced today are:

Apex Aluminum Extrusions - $947,500
Apex Aluminum is a Langley-based manufacturer of custom aluminum products for the architectural, construction, and industrial sectors. The investment will support upgrades to the company's facility, including new automation technologies and expanded recycling and manufacturing capabilities. This will help Apex increase productivity, strengthen domestic supply chains, and create new jobs.

Acrocargo Express - $250,000
Acrocargo Express is a Richmond-based company that provides shipping, warehousing, and delivery services for businesses engaged in international trade. The investment will support the adoption of cloud-based, AI-enabled freight and warehouse management systems to modernize operations. This will improve efficiency, strengthen supply chains, expand market opportunities for B.C. exporters, and create jobs.

CEC Mining Systems - $900,000
CEC Mining Systems is a Vancouver-based manufacturer of specialized equipment used in mining and mineral processing. The investment will support the design and fabrication of advanced mining equipment in B.C. and the development of a rental and service-based business model. This will help the company expand into new markets, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and create jobs.

Coast Fraser - $1,000,000
Coast Fraser is a Vancouver-based exporter that helps Canadian wood product manufacturers sell to customers around the world. The investment will support business development and marketing activities to expand exports into new international markets. This will help Canadian wood producers diversify markets, grow sales, and strengthen forestry supply chains.

Innovative Aluminum Systems - $559,000
Innovative Aluminum Systems is an Aldergrove-based manufacturer of aluminum railing products for residential and commercial construction projects. The investment will support the adoption of advanced manufacturing equipment, new product development, and digital tools to modernize production. This will help the company increase productivity, strengthen competitiveness, support market growth, and create skilled jobs.

Loulou Lollipop - $338,000
Loulou Lollipop is a Richmond-based company that designs and sells baby and toddler products, including clothing, feeding accessories, teethers, and toys. The investment will support technology upgrades, supply chain improvements, and activities to expand into new international markets. This will strengthen the company's competitiveness and support long-term export growth.

Mar-Con Wire Belt - $1,000,000
Mar-Con Wire Belt is a Richmond-based manufacturer of custom stainless steel wire conveyor belts used in the food processing sector. The investment will support automation with new equipment to improve productivity and expand the company's product offerings. This will increase competitiveness, strengthen Canadian supply chains, and support growth in domestic and export markets.

Nickels Cabinets - $1,000,000
Nickels Cabinets is a Richmond-based manufacturer of custom kitchen cabinets for homes and businesses. The investment will support facility modernizations, advanced manufacturing equipment, software improvements, and the expansion of the company's showroom network in B.C. This will improve productivity, grow domestic sales, and create jobs while supporting the domestic housing sector.

Plascon Plastics - $841,000
Plascon Plastics is a Delta-based manufacturer that produces sustainable plastic products using recycled materials. The investment will support automation, facility modernization, market expansion and increased use of Canadian-sourced materials. This will increase production capacity, strengthen domestic supply chains, reduce reliance on imported inputs, create jobs, and support growth in domestic and international markets.

Small Housing BC - $1,999,740
Small Housing BC is a non-profit organization that helps builders, manufacturers, and communities adopt innovative approaches to building homes. The investment will support training, financing tools, industry partnerships, and advisory services to help small and medium-sized builders use prefabricated construction methods. This will improve productivity, reduce construction costs, strengthen housing supply chains, and support the delivery of more homes across British Columbia.

Unilia (Canada) Fuel Cells Inc. - $786,250
Unilia (Canada) Fuel Cells is a Burnaby-based company that develops and manufactures hydrogen fuel cell technologies for transportation and clean energy applications. The investment will support the adoption of new testing and assembly equipment, expanded engineering services, and business development activities in new markets. This will strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities, support growth in new clean technology sectors, and create jobs.

Zaber Technologies - $1,000,000
Zaber Technologies is a Vancouver-based manufacturer of precision motion-control products used in scientific research, health sciences, and industrial manufacturing. The investment will help the company increase domestic production of precision components. This will strengthen domestic supply chains and support export growth.

SOURCE Pacific Economic Development Canada

Contacts: Arianna Durgerian, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister responsible for PacifiCan, [email protected]; Lynsey Brothers, Communications Manager, PacifiCan, [email protected]