Manufacturing plays a vital role in British Columbia's economy, providing good jobs, powering supply chains, and supporting key industries from construction and clean technology to natural resources and food production. With trade disruptions, rising costs and supply chain pressures impacting the sector, the Government of Canada is taking decisive action to help B.C. manufacturers remain competitive and grow.
Today, at the Manufacturing Excellence Forum in New Westminster, Jake Sawatski Member of Parliament for New Westminster-Burnaby-Maillardville, on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), announced an investment of over $1.4 million for the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium of Canada (EMC) to help B.C. manufacturers adapt, expand, and reach new domestic and international markets.
The investment announced today, made through PacifiCan's Regional Innovation Ecosystems program, will support EMC's three year B.C. Manufacturing Resilience and Support Program. As a national, not-for-profit organization, EMC works directly with manufacturers across Canada to improve performance and competitiveness, bringing proven expertise and best practices to support B.C.'s manufacturing sector.
EMC's B.C. program will offer workshops, hands-on assessments, and tailored export support to help manufacturers improve productivity, prepare for new markets, and strengthen supply chains. Activities include in-plant productivity and trade readiness assessments, a B.C. supply chain and export forum, and the launch of a provincial supply chain mapping platform. The program is expected to support more than 100 manufacturers across British Columbia.
This announcement builds on the Government of Canada's recent announcement of additional national measures to support manufacturers affected by trade disruptions. These measures include expanded financing through the Business Development Bank of Canada and additional investments delivered by regional development agencies through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, which supports small and medium-sized businesses in a wide range of sectors across the Canadian economy. Together, these measures are helping manufacturers stabilize their operations, invest in productivity, and adapt to evolving market conditions.
