PrairiesCan funding aids 8 projects under the Regional Tariff Response Initiative and Business Scale-up and Productivity program

SASKATOON, SK, Oct. 9, 2026 /CNW/ -- Saskatchewan's history is one of perseverance and adaptation. From generations of farmers finding new ways to work the land to businesses developing the province's resource and manufacturing industries, its people have built an economy that reaches far beyond its borders. Through changing markets and difficult times, they have continued to innovate, find new opportunities, and build for the future.

Today, unjustified U.S. tariffs are putting Saskatchewan businesses and workers under pressure again. Companies are responding by investing in new equipment and automation, expanding production, and pursuing new markets. These efforts are helping strengthen domestic supply chains and build greater resilience for Saskatchewan businesses and the Canadian economy.

The Government of Canada is acting decisively to protect workers, defend Canadian industries and support companies as they adapt to tariff-related uncertainty. Canada's counter-tariff actions, combined with targeted investments such as the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), are helping businesses manage immediate pressures while positioning them for long-term growth. On August 25, 2026, the Government of Canada announced an additional $1.5 billion through RTRI to help tariff-affected small and medium-sized businesses address immediate liquidity concerns to maintain employment and day-to-day operations, as well as to diversify markets, boost productivity, reduce costs, and strengthen domestic supply chains.

Today, the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, on behalf of the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), announced funding of over $11.2 million through PrairiesCan for eight organizations across Saskatchewan. Today's investments, delivered through RTRI and the Business Scale up and Productivity Program (BSP), will help businesses enter new markets and build long-term economic resilience during uncertain times. The two programs work hand in hand to support business growth and competitiveness.

Secretary of State Belanger also highlighted the Government of Canada's new Productivity Mega Deduction, one of the most significant changes to Canada's business tax system in half a century. This game-changing new tax incentive for businesses will increase the amount of assets eligible for immediate expensing from roughly 15% of assets to more than 65%. The federal government is also making immediate expensing permanent to give businesses more long-term certainty. Together, these changes will reduce the cost of investing in Canada and lower the marginal effective tax rate on new business investment from roughly 13% to 6.4% % – less than half the rate in the United States.

Northern Nutrients Ltd. is receiving support under BSP to purchase, install and commission equipment that will expand production of its enhanced sulphur fertilizers at its new facility. Demand is growing for their Shell Thiogro micronized elemental fertilizer, which overcomes some of the limitations of existing sulphur fertilizers. This investment will scale-up production, giving  access to a reliable, locally made, low-salt fertilizer that improves seed safety and reduces storage and transportation costs.  

Other projects include:

• Solo Italia Fine Pasta Inc. and South West Terminal Ltd. are expanding their commercial production of pasta in Swift Current with both BSP and RTRI funding, helping to support domestic food production and add value to locally grown durum wheat.
• M.P.S Welding Inc. is receiving BSP funding to expand manufacturing capacity and diversify into new downhole sand control products for the Western Canadian heavy oil and sands sector at its manufacturing facility in Pierceland.
• Western Canadian Short Line Railway Association Inc. is building Prairie Connect with RTRI funding, a publicly accessible, map-based, AI guided digital platform to display prairie trade corridors.

A full list of the eight projects receiving support through PrairiesCan can be found in the linked backgrounder.

Quotes

"Having been born in Swift Current, I know the pride Saskatchewan people take in what they grow, make, and build—and the determination they bring to keeping their communities strong. As unjustified U.S. tariffs put pressure on businesses and workers, our government is standing with them. These investments through PrairiesCan will help Saskatchewan businesses produce more here at home, reach new markets, and create good jobs—building on the province's strengths to secure a stronger economic future for Canada."
–The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)

"In the face of global trade uncertainty, Saskatchewan businesses are doing what Prairie businesses do best: adapting and investing in new opportunities because our products can compete with anyone, anywhere. World-class organizations and workers across Saskatchewan are working hard to weather the impacts of unjustified tariffs, and we've got their backs. Today's investment of over $11.2 million for eight Saskatchewan businesses will help them produce more here at home, create good jobs, and find new customers around the world."
–The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development

"The continued support of the BSP program has been instrumental in Northern Nutrients' growth. The contribution from BSP will help ensure the tripling of our sulphur fertilizer capacity to 150,000 metric tons per year is a successful project that will provide efficient crop nutrients to the local market and beyond for years to come."
–Ross Guenther, CEO, Northern Nutrients Ltd.

"Prairies Economic Development Canada's funding for the Prairie Connect project will allow the Western Canadian Short Line Railway Association to generate greater visibility for rail freight transportation opportunities across rural Saskatchewan. Our province is fortunate to have thousands of kilometres of rail infrastructure to help transport Saskatchewan products to destinations around the world. Prairie Connect will help link small, medium, and large shippers with railway operators and loading locations that can support their business expansion and diversification."
–Rachel Mackenzie, Director of Communications and Government Relations, Western Canadian Short Line Railway Association Inc.

Quick facts

• Funding announced today flows through PrairiesCan's Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) and the Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Program.
• The Government of Canada's new $3.45 billion investment in RTRI funding is part of a new $7.5 billion package for workers and businesses affected by U.S. tariffs. The package also includes a $2 billion Canada Strong Diversification Fund, $500 million in new BDC liquidity support, $3.5 billion in Rapid Response Supports for Workers and Employers, and new flexibilities under the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan facility.
• Today's investments will strengthen our economy and help each of these organizations achieve tangible outcomes. In total, these projects support more than 147 jobs.
• Over five years, the government's capital investments and incentives in support of third parties, totalling about $280 billion, are expected to enable more than $1 trillion in total investment from public, private, and institutional partners.
• Canada consistently ranks among the top destinations for foreign direct investment confidence, with a AAA credit rating, the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7, and the number one ranking among G7 countries for banking stability.
• Canada has the best tax treatment for new business investment in the G7.
• Under Canada's capital cost allowance system, taxpayers deduct the cost of depreciable assets such as machinery and equipment over time. Immediate expensing would allow them to deduct the full cost of an eligible investment in the first year the asset becomes available for use.

Backgrounder

Today, the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, on behalf of the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), announced over $11.2 million for eight projects led by organizations across Saskatchewan through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) and the Business Scale-Up and Productivity (BSP) program. The projects will help manufacturers grow, improve productivity, strengthen domestic supply chains, and reach new markets.

Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program – $7,645,224

The BSP program supports high-growth businesses that are seeking to improve productivity, scale-up, and commercialize technology. It offers interest-free, repayable funding to incorporated businesses that have been in operation for a minimum of two years.

PrairiesCan announced investments for four repayable projects under BSP:

• Northern Nutrients Ltd. is receiving $3,100,000 to expand their specialized sulphur fertilizer production by adding a second manufacturing facility in Saskatoon.
• Solo Italia Fine Pasta Inc. and South West Terminal Ltd. are receiving $1,150,000 to purchase and install commercial grade premium pasta production equipment, including food safety and quality control equipment, automated packaging equipment and production control systems in Swift Current.
• M.P.S. Welding Inc. is receiving $2,607,724 to expand manufacturing capacity and diversify into new downhole sand control products for the Western Canadian heavy oil and oil sands sector at its manufacturing facility in Pierceland.
• Titan Clean Energy Projects Corporation is receiving $787,500 to expand production capacity at their biomass processing facility in Craik, Saskatchewan. The funds are being used to add additional modular manufacturing lines to increase output and meet the growing demand for activated carbon used to purify water and air and for sustainable agriculture.

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) - $3,578,100

The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is part of the Government of Canada's strategy to defend Canadian jobs, industries, and supply chains from the impacts of tariffs. Delivered by Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) in the Prairie provinces, RTRI strengthens the competitiveness of tariff impacted small- and medium-sized businesses by helping them to boost productivity, catalyze growth, and diversify markets.

PrairiesCan announced four non-repayable investments under RTRI:

• South West Terminal Ltd. and Solo Italia Fine Pasta Inc. are receiving $966,850 to support facility retrofits to accommodate commercial pasta-making equipment and cold-storage capabilities.
• Three Farmers Foods Inc. is receiving $1,000,000 to modernize and expand blending and packaging capacity, establish an allergen-friendly production zone in its Saskatoon facility, and implement national marketing and export market development initiatives to address growing demand for premium and specialized products.
• Western Canadian Short Line Railway Association Inc. is receiving $611,400 to build Prairie Connect, a publicly accessible, map-based, AI guided digital platform to publicly display trade corridors across the Prairies in context alongside communities, regional resources and outputs, development sites and ports.
• Honey Bee Manufacturing is receiving $999,850 to implement new IT infrastructure in Frontier and expand their market.

Associated links

• Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)
• Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)
• Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Program
• News Release -  Eligible businesses in the Prairies can now apply for tariff support under the enhanced Regional Tariff Response Initiative

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SOURCE Prairies Economic Development Canada