The Government of Canada invests over $1.9 million to support workers and strengthen businesses in the Yukon

Four Yukon businesses are seizing new opportunities, finding efficiencies and improving productivity to mitigate tariff and trade disruptions.

WHITEHORSE, YT, Sept. 15, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Yukon is home to innovative entrepreneurs and businesses that have long contributed to a strong northern economy. As tariff pressures and changing trade conditions continue to create uncertainty, the Government of Canada is taking action by supporting businesses to adapt, seize new opportunities and protect jobs in the territory.

Today, the Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for CanNor, announced up to $1,903,869 in contributions to four Yukon businesses.

These investments, through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), will equip Yukon businesses and workers with the tools they need to adapt to a rapidly changing global environment, strengthen organizational efficiency and local capacity, reinforce regional supply chains, and create new growth opportunities.

Minister Chartrand made the announcement at Solvest Inc., alongside Dr. Brendan Hanley, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Member of Parliament for the Yukon. Solvest Inc. is receiving up to $264,585 to design, build, and test a prototype portable solar and battery energy storage system for use at Yukon placer mines. Through this project, Solvest will pivot to national and territorial markets from a planned U.S. expansion, following tariff-related impacts on its Alaska-growth strategy.

For more information on the other businesses in this announcement, please see the backgrounder: Backgrounder: The Government of Canada invests over $1.9M in Yukon workers and businesses.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting businesses and workers as they strengthen competitiveness, build resilience, and create long-term economic prosperity for Northerners and all Canadians.

Quotes

"In the face of ongoing trade uncertainty and tariff pressures, the Government of Canada is taking decisive action to help Canadian businesses adapt, grow and compete. Through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, we are providing targeted support that will help businesses strengthen productivity, build more resilient supply chains, and protect jobs in the North and across Canada."

• The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for CanNor

"Yukon businesses have always demonstrated resilience and ingenuity in the face of challenges. Through investments that help businesses grow, innovate and access new markets, the Government of Canada is ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed. Together, we are protecting jobs, strengthening supply chains and building a more resilient economy."

• Dr. Brendan Hanley, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Member of Parliament for the Yukon

"Tariff pressure on our U.S. growth plans could have been a setback -- instead, it redirected our focus and engineering talent back home. With support from CanNor's Regional Tariff Response Initiative, Solvest is expanding our design-build portable solar and battery storage offerings to include a system purpose-built for Yukon's placer mines. This prototype will prove the business case for moving small- to medium-sized camps off diesel, while integrating seamlessly with existing systems and providing full operations and maintenance support. This expansion will allow us to meet the needs of a wider range of Yukoners, create skilled local jobs, and provide opportunities to partner with local businesses as we make northern-built clean technology more accessible."

• Lauren Humble, Chief Operating Officer, Solvest Inc.

Quick facts

• These projects are funded through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI). The RTRI, delivered by Canada's regional development agencies, including CanNor, is part of the Government of Canada's strategy to defend Canadian jobs and help businesses adapt, diversify, improve productivity and remain competitive.
• Nationally, the RTRI provides $3.45 billion over four years to support 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.
• Enhanced RTRI funding is part of a new $7.5-billion package for workers and businesses affected by U.S. tariffs, building on the nearly $25 billion in support the Government of Canada has provided since U.S. tariffs were implemented.

Associated links

• Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
• Support for Canadian workers and businesses affected by U.S. tariffs - Canada.ca
• Solvest Inc. | Leading Renewable Energy Services Across North America
• Cobalt Construction Inc.
• Northern Vision Development LP 
• Ketza Construction | Building on Integrity 

Stay connected: www.cannor.gc.ca

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SOURCE Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

Contacts: For more information, media may contact: Jo Ann Pinera, Press Secretary, Office of the Hon. Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs, Minister responsible for CanNor, [email protected]; Leighann Chalykoff, Communications Manager, Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), [email protected]