Tariff response: Government of Canada invests close to $850,000 to help Montérégie SMEs face current challenges

CED will enable Corflex Partitions and DOORspec Solutions, two manufacturing businesses affected by U.S. tariffs on aluminum, to remain competitive in uncertain and changing market conditions.

LA PRAIRIE, QC, May 19, 2026 /CNW/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

Jacques Ramsay, Member of Parliament for La Prairie–Atateken and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Security, today announced, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for CED, a total of $840,000 in non‑repayable contributions for two tariff-impacted businesses in the aluminum industry. This support is being granted under the Government of Canada's Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), delivered by Canada's regional development agencies.

The recipients are Corflex Partitions and DOORspec Solutions. Through this action, CED is helping these aluminum processing businesses to diversify their markets and improve their productivity in order to remain competitive in the long term. Implementing these projects will also make it possible to consolidate over 115 well-paying jobs in the region.

Corflex Partitions, an SME specializing in the manufacture of mobile and glass partitions, is receiving a $490,000 contribution. This funding will enable the business to acquire and install an integrated transactional configurator into the business's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in order to increase its productivity.

For its part, DOORspec Solutions, a manufacturer of integrated door systems for the public transportation industry, is receiving a $350,000 contribution. This financial assistance will enable the business to acquire production equipment, manufacture a demonstration prototype, and implement its marketing strategy in order to diversify its markets.

Jacques Ramsay also took the opportunity to highlight the $1.5 billion in new measures announced on May 4, 2026, by Minister Joly. These measures aim to counter the tariff pressures resulting from the adjustment as of April 6, 2026, of U.S. tariffs on Canadian products containing steel, aluminum and copper. These measures include an additional $500 million through the RTRI and a new $1 billion financing program through the Business Development Bank of Canada. This program will enable SMEs to meet their urgent liquidity needs, maintain their operations and adapt to this unprecedented trade climate.

In the current economic context, the Government of Canada is focusing on structural measures to strengthen the Canadian economy. This involves supporting businesses as they diversify their markets in order to reinforce their economic resilience and consolidate their competitiveness to help them face tariff pressures. By investing in workers and businesses in strategic sectors such as the aluminum industry, the Government of Canada is helping to build a more resilient economy that is better able to adapt to market fluctuations, to the benefit of the entire country.

Quotes

"The aluminum industry is central to Quebec's manufacturing ecosystem and is an essential contributor to the economic vitality of several regions. In a climate where tariffs are placing increased pressure on this pillar of our economy, it is crucial to support businesses in this industry. Through CED, our government is helping SMEs so they can strengthen their competitiveness, evolve their business models and seize new market opportunities. This funding is a direct investment to ensure that the aluminum industry continues to play a key role in the Canadian economy."

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic–Cartierville, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for CED

"For over a year now, many businesses have demonstrated exceptional resilience in the face of the changes disrupting economic models. Today, I am announcing CED funding for Corflex Partitions and DOORspec Solutions, two Montérégie SMEs in the aluminum industry. I am confident that this support will give them the means to better counter tariff pressures. By improving their productivity and production capacity, while also diversifying their markets, these businesses are strengthening their competitiveness. The rules of the game are changing, but by focusing on the agility and perseverance of our SMEs, we are investing in the economic vitality of the Montérégie region and all of our regions."

Jacques Ramsay, Member of Parliament for La Prairie–Atateken and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Security

"This CED contribution comes at a crucial time for our business. It will enable us, despite the major impact tariffs are having on the business, to increase our productivity by automating our processes and to pursue our investments in more resilient, innovative, competitive manufacturing solutions."

Jonathan Vadeboncoeur, President, Corflex Partitions

"This CED contribution comes at an opportune time, since it gives us the means to deploy our strategic plan in response to the new rules in the U.S. market. This federal support will accelerate the initiatives we have already launched on other markets where we have a presence, while also fostering the diversification of our products in order to compensate for the impacts of the tariff measures on our business."

Mathieu Charbonneau, President, DOORspec Solutions

Quick facts

• CED is taking action to support aluminum processors. Quebec has over 1700 aluminum processing businesses, representing 30,000 jobs. These businesses generate a total of $11.6B in sales annually.
• The funds have been provided under the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), which is part of CED's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program.
• With a budget of $1.5 billion, this national initiative aims primarily to help SMEs negatively affected by tariffs to overcome their challenges to commercialization and to transform in order to remain competitive in the long term.
• The RTRI aligns with a broader Government of Canada tariff response plan, which includes over $6.5 billion in new measures to protect Canadian businesses and workers, including an expansion of the Strategic Innovation Fund, labour market development agreements, and the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan facility.
• CED is a key federal partner in Quebec's regional economic development. With its 12 business offices, CED accompanies businesses, supporting organizations and all regions across Quebec into tomorrow's economy.

Associated links

• Corflex
• DOORspec
• Government of Canada announces a new $1 billion Business Development Bank of Canada program and $500 million in additional funding for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, delivered by the regional development agencies - Canada.ca
• Regional Tariff Response Initiative
• CED financing and services

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SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Information: Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, [email protected]; Gabrielle Landry, Deputy Director, Media Relations, Office of the Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, [email protected]