SASKATOON, Sask. — With Canada-U.S. trade tensions putting pressure on Saskatchewan businesses, Ottawa announced new support in Saskatoon on Sept. 2 aimed at helping companies weather tariffs and pursue new markets.
A total of $11.6 million will be divided among eight Saskatoon-based businesses, with money through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative to fund their respective projects and help them grow, improve productivity, strengthen domestic supply chains and diversify and reach new markets.
Biktrix Enterprises Inc., Croatia Industries Ltd., Doepker Industries Ltd., Drake Meats Processors Inc., Great Western Brewing Company Ltd., RMD Engineering Inc., Superior Millwork Ltd. and Tritana Holdings Ltd. will receive either non-payable or payable funding.
Ottawa’s move is part of its plan to protect Canadian businesses and industries exporting south of the border that may be affected by duties. Its investments with local companies will also help protect jobs while strengthening Canada’s economic independence.
Federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson said the funding is particularly important as businesses deal with uncertainty caused by the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade dispute. The projects are expected to support more than 137 jobs in Saskatchewan.
“As we stand here, unjustified U.S. tariffs are affecting businesses and communities here and in every region of our country in a very real way. These tariffs put pressure on businesses to meet payroll,” said Hodgson, who was joined by Rural Development Secretary of State Buckley Belanger.
He added that tariffs restrict growth and limit companies’ ability to expand, creating anxiety for workers, families and communities across Saskatchewan, and Canada cannot rely on the expectation that its traditional trading relationship with the United States will return to the way it was.
“Nostalgia is not a strategy. It does not keep Canadians employed. It doesn't keep businesses afloat. And it doesn't keep communities prosperous,” said Hodgson, who assured that Ottawa is focused on responding to the trade dispute while creating opportunities for Canadian companies to expand, innovate and find markets beyond the U.S.
The broader federal package includes another $7.5 billion in new and expanded support for tariff-impacted workers and businesses. That includes an additional $1.5 billion for the RTRI, $500 million through the Business Development Bank of Canada’s Pivot to Grow program, $2 billion through a new Canada Diversification Fund and $3.5 billion in rapid-response supports for workers and employers.
The Saskatoon projects demonstrate how the funding is intended to work on the ground. Doepker Industries is receiving more than $2.7 million for new production equipment and resource-planning systems, while Drake Meats is receiving $3.2 million to expand and automate sausage and cured-pork production.
Croatia Industries is receiving $1 million to improve productivity and expand manufacturing capacity in the Canadian steel sector, while RMD Engineering is receiving $1 million for new production equipment designed to improve productivity and help the company diversify into new markets.
“We are not just responding. We are trying to reshape the future. We are investing in Canadian industry, in Canadian defence, in Canadian manufacturing,” said Hodgson, adding that the investments are part of the federal government’s effort to reshape Canada’s economy instead of just responding to the immediate effects of tariffs.
He said Canada is also working to expand its international free-trade network and attract investment from global partners to create an economy that is less vulnerable to decisions made by other countries.
Hodgson said Saskatchewan’s natural resources, industrial base and skilled workforce put it in a strong position to contribute to that effort. He pointed specifically to conventional energy and critical minerals such as uranium as resources that can help strengthen Canada’s economic security and sovereignty.
“Canada has what the world wants,” Hodgson said, adding that Saskatchewan will play a critical role in shaping Canada’s future prosperity. The federal government is responsible for protecting Canadian workers, defending the country’s advantages and unlocking economic growth and resilience.
Hodgson said the federal government’s message to Saskatchewan businesses is that Ottawa intends to remain a partner as companies navigate current economic uncertainty, and that the investments are not just for individual companies but are intended to help preserve employment, encourage new investment and build stronger local supply chains.
Source of minerals
Hodgson also highlighted El Dorado Gold Mining’s role in strengthening Canada’s economic future, with the McIlvenna Bay project in northern Saskatchewan showing the province’s potential as a powerhouse in meeting the world’s growing need for critical minerals.
He said the mining project is an important example of how Canada can harness its natural resources to drive economic growth, strengthen supply chains, build greater national independence and reflect Canada’s move into a new era of mining and critical mineral development.
“In many ways, McIlvenna Bay reflects the direction Canada is taking as an energy and natural resources superpower,” said Hodgson, who added that the project was referred to the federal Major Projects Office about a year ago.
Since then, significant progress has been made, with Hodgson describing the new approach as defined by speed, scale, and shared strategic purpose among governments, Indigenous Peoples, and industry partners like El Dorado.
Hodgson said the federal government wants to harness Canada’s natural resources in a way that grows the economy, creates well-paying careers, strengthens national security and sovereignty and advances reconciliation.
He said the goal is to establish long-term prosperity for Canadians rather than focusing only on the next few years, pointing to McIlvenna Bay as an example of that approach. He noted that the project comes as Canada responds to growing economic and trade uncertainty and strengthens its domestic capacity.
Hodgson said McIlvenna Bay will help build a made-in-Canada supply chain by producing minerals that are important to the economy, energy systems and national sovereignty. Copper, zinc, gold and silver from the project will contribute to sectors ranging from clean-energy technology and advanced manufacturing to national defence.
“This project will boost local economies in Saskatchewan and in Quebec where the copper will be smelted,” said Hodgson, adding that the mine is expected to operate for at least 18 years based on its current resource, while expressing confidence that additional discoveries could extend its lifespan.
Hodgson also credited Eldorado Gold for moving the project forward, noting that the processing plant produced its first copper concentrate in June — the first copper produced in Saskatchewan in more than two decades. The project subsequently achieved first production of zinc and pyrite concentrate in July.
The project is already creating economic opportunities in Saskatchewan. Hodgson said it employs almost 400 full-time workers in the province and is expected to employ nearly 450 at full production. He also highlighted the project’s partnership with Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, noting that about 34 per cent of the current workforce is Indigenous.
Hodgson said the McIlvenna Bay project demonstrates why Canada needs to continue supporting major resource developments, including through the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy and Major Projects Office, adding that the federal government is investing in infrastructure, attracting capital, streamlining permitting and improving project certainty.
He described McIlvenna Bay as a model for the next generation of Canadian mining, pointing to its use of renewable electricity and its potential to combine economic development with lower-carbon operations.
