(Image Credit: rdnewsNOW/Ian Gustafson)

By Ian Gustafson

Businesses impacted by tariffs

Federal government announces investments to help central Alberta businesses

Mar 17, 2026 | 2:27 PM

The Government of Canada has made an investment of $4 million through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative to help tariff-impacted businesses in Alberta.

They made the announcement on Tuesday at Red Deer Iron Works, which was one of four businesses awarded $1 million each as part of the investment. All of the businesses chosen span several sectors of the economy.

The funds allocated were announced by Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada.

Olszewski said between the tariffs and shifting trade conditions, companies have had to rethink how they’re going to remain competitive.

“These impacts on small and medium businesses are real, and they’re being felt across many sectors,” she said.

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“These investments will help these companies strengthen operations, expand their production capabilities, and evolve to global trade conditions… Alberta businesses are not standing still. They’re investing, modernizing, and positioning themselves for the future. We will be there to support them.”

Red Deer Ironworks used the funds received to acquire specialized equipment, including a high-capacity Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine, to bring manufacturing of its steel flow-control products in-house.

The machine lowers production costs and shortens customer wait times, which will allow Red Deer Iron Works to compete in domestic and global markets.

In addition, the new equipment has also made it possible for the local business to add two more full-time positions.

The three other businesses to receive $1 million each include Barr-Ag based out of Olds, CAC Metal Recycling in Acheson, and GN Corporations in Airdrie.

Barr-AG plans to buy automated equipment to improve efficiency as well as build capacity to expand its hay product lines.

CAC Metal Recycling will expand and modernize its low-iron processing capabilities that turn metal waste into high-strength materials.

Meantime, GN Corporations plans to buy automated Computer Numerical Control equipment and digital manufacturing tools to increase the production capacity of their metal parts products.

The RTRI is a $1 billion national program aimed at helping Canadian businesses impacted by global tariff disruptions. The government explained they’ve already made several other announcements regarding this funding and plan to continue to do so over the next three years or until all of the funds have been distributed.

Scott Candler, president of Red Deer Iron Works, said they’re proud to be recognized as a recipient of the RTRI funding.

“This investment by the Government of Canada will greatly assist in lowering our manufacturing costs and allow us to compete more effectively in global markets, while providing new jobs in Alberta. RDI is a leading global provider of high-pressure flow-control products to the oil and gas industry,” he said.

In terms of how the tariffs have affected Red Deer Iron Works, Candler said in Canada, they’ve had the privileged position of trading with the U.S., but are less privileged now.

“It creates a complexity that most mid-sized companies have a problem navigating,” he said. “This funding allows us to answer some of the questions, but we’ve still got lots of complexity to deal with. This is a step in the process.”

He said over the next few years, RDI will move more into the global market, including the Middle East, Europe, and South America.

Meanwhile, Red Deer Mayor Cindy Jefferies explained that this funding is an important step to help a local business adapt to a changing global environment.

“We know we’re very competitive in the international scene in the oil services field and oil construction, so it’s important that we help them adapt and be able to continue working and growing,” she said.

“Jobs in Red Deer come from businesses locally, and they employ people here and contribute to our economy in so many ways… I’m also excited to welcome the federal government into the conversation and into helping us along. That collaborative piece is so important, recognizing that Red Deer along the Highway 2 corridor is well-positioned to help stimulate the economy and keep us growing in Central Alberta. This is great news.”

The Mayor added that she met with Minister Olszewski this morning and chatted about future collaboration in a variety of ways.

These topics include Red Deer DRIVE, which will have its annual AGM on Wednesday night, possibilities around the homeless shelter, funds for housing, and how well-positioned Red Deer is with the airport, available land, and community collaboration.