Kalesnikoff Receives CA$5.5 Million as Part of Canada Tariff Response Initiative in BC

On Monday, Canada announced an investment of more than CA$13 million for 10 Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) projects across British Columbia’s Southern Interior. The funding aims to help businesses affected by tariffs boost productivity, reduce costs, strengthen supply chains, and expand into new markets.

The announcement was made by Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan). The investments target sectors particularly affected by global trade disruptions, including forestry, equipment manufacturing, and value-added wood manufacturing, Robertson said.

As part of the initiative, funding will support both individual companies and broader sector efforts to improve transportation reliability, supply-chain visibility, and access to domestic and international markets.

The announcement took place at Kalesnikoff in Castlegar, a longstanding BC wood products manufacturer that produces engineered mass timber building materials.

Kalesnikoff will receive a repayable investment of $5.5 million to purchase new equipment to manufacture prefabricated housing components used in multifamily housing, schools, daycares, and commercial buildings. The equipment is expected to increase manufacturing capacity, improve productivity, and help the company respond to trade pressures by diversifying into new markets.

The RTRI investments support both individual companies and sector-wide efforts to improve transportation reliability, supply-chain visibility, and access to domestic and international markets.