Funding & Grants
FedDev Ontario puts $11.3M into 13 Niagara-region manufacturers
FedDev Ontario is investing more than $11.3 million across 13 Niagara-region manufacturers. Among them, High Strength Plates & Profiles Inc. is undertaking a $1.5-million project to expand steel-processing capacity and diversify its product mix through advanced equipment and infrastructure upgrades.
Regional FedDev money is flowing to mid-size shops for equipment, not just R&D — if you're in Southern Ontario, this is a live funding channel.
Automation & Technology Adoption
Eclipse Automation gets $6M FedDev investment for digital manufacturing hub
Eclipse Automation is receiving a $6 million FedDev Ontario investment for a new innovation hub expanding its digital manufacturing capabilities. The funding is delivered through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative and the Regional Defence Investment Initiative.
Two federal streams — tariff response and defence investment — are funding digital-manufacturing capex. Check whether your project fits either.
Plants, Investment & M&A
Ingenia Polymers opens Brantford innovation centre
Ingenia Polymers has opened an Innovation Centre in Brantford, Ontario. The site is set up to collaborate with customers on improvements in material and process technology.
A local materials partner with an applied-development site — useful if you're chasing resin or process issues without in-house lab capacity.
Plants, Investment & M&A
Ottawa commits $1.95B to VIA Rail fleet; up to 36 locomotives assembled here
The federal government announced a $1.95-billion investment in VIA Rail's locomotive fleet. Stadler will complete final assembly of up to 36 locomotives in Canada, leveraging its global supply chain and Canadian suppliers.
A multi-year rail build with Canadian final assembly means tier-2/3 supplier opportunity — worth tracking Stadler's Canadian sourcing.
Policy, Trade & Economy
Ottawa back to Washington as US threatens 50% tariffs on some Canadian goods
The Trump administration said it would impose 50 per cent tariffs on certain Canadian goods, citing provincial liquor bans, Canada's dairy supply management system and certain automobile quotas. Trade Minister LeBlanc is heading back to Washington.
Tariff exposure is widening beyond steel and autos. Re-check which of your HS codes sit in the threatened baskets before quoting US work.
Workforce & Skills
Ontario and Ottawa put $7.2M into northern Ontario workforce training
The Ontario and federal governments are investing more than $7.2 million in the northern Ontario workforce. Ontario is delivering the funding through Skills Advance Ontario, which partners with employers and training providers to help workers move into growth sectors.
Skills Advance Ontario is employer-partnered — you can shape the training and the candidate pipeline rather than just hiring from it.
Supply Chain & Reshoring
Power Metals and APL sign MOU to build a North American cesium supply chain
Power Metals Corp. has signed an MOU with APL Engineered Materials Inc. on cesium processing. A key focus for both companies is developing a fully integrated North American cesium supply chain for chemical products as global supply continues to decline.
Another critical-minerals input moving toward domestic processing — relevant if cesium chemicals sit anywhere in your bill of materials.
