Canada Backs 8 Saskatoon Businesses with $11.6m Tariff Response Package

Written By: Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar is a Senior Journalist at Travel and Tour World with more than 10 years of experience in travel and tourism journalism. A post-graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, he combines strong research, industry knowledge and storytelling expertise to produce engaging, insightful and impactful travel news and fascinating feature stories.

See Full Bio

September 3, 2026 2:42 AM

Image generated with Ai

Canada is putting $11.6 million behind eight Saskatoon-based organisations as businesses across Saskatchewan face higher costs, disrupted supply chains and uncertainty caused by US tariffs.

The federal investment, announced on September 2, 2026, will support 10 projects through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), administered by Prairies Economic Development Canada, known as PrairiesCan.

The funding is aimed at helping manufacturers modernise their operations, improve productivity, increase production, diversify markets and strengthen domestic supply chains.

Tariffs push businesses towards new strategies

The announcement comes after Washington imposed additional tariffs on Canadian goods last month. Ottawa says it negotiated with the United States in good faith but ultimately suspended discussions after determining that the proposed terms did not provide a sufficiently balanced agreement.

Canada has responded by matching the new US tariffs dollar for dollar and introducing $7.5 billion in new and enhanced support for workers and businesses affected by the trade dispute.

Against that wider backdrop, the Saskatoon funding is designed to help companies respond to immediate commercial pressure while making longer-term investments that can reduce vulnerability to future disruptions.

For manufacturers, that means bringing more production in-house, introducing automation, upgrading equipment and pursuing customers beyond traditional markets.

Doepker and Drake receive major project support

Doepker Industries Ltd. is among the largest beneficiaries. The company will receive $1,711,153 to install production equipment that will allow it to manufacture additional trailer products under the Peerless and Scona brands.

The project is intended to increase manufacturing capacity while helping the company diversify its markets.

Doepker will receive another $1 million to implement a new enterprise resource planning system. The technology investment is expected to improve productivity and operational efficiency.

Drake Meat Processors Inc. is also receiving support for two projects. One $2.2 million investment will help purchase equipment to expand and automate a sausage and beef production line in Saskatoon.

A further $1 million will support equipment for expanding and automating a cured pork production line.

The company said its new federally inspected Saskatoon plant is scheduled to open in December 2026. The facility is expected to increase production capacity and supply Canadian-produced products to consumers across the country.

RMD Engineering targets productivity and new markets

RMD Engineering Inc. will receive $1 million for production equipment intended to improve productivity and diversify markets.

The company says the investment builds on its experience responding to major disruptions. President and founder Jim Boire said the business previously became Saskatchewan’s first licensed medical device manufacturer when Canada needed ventilators.

He described the latest investment as another opportunity to use manufacturing capability to respond to a major economic challenge.

The broader RTRI programme therefore goes beyond short-term financial relief. Its focus is on helping companies make structural improvements that can strengthen their competitiveness after the immediate tariff pressure eases.

What the investment means for Saskatoon

For Saskatoon, the announcement represents a targeted attempt to protect manufacturing capacity while encouraging companies to pursue growth.

The supported projects cover equipment, automation, enterprise systems, production expansion, marketing and market diversification. Together, these measures can help businesses reduce inefficiencies, increase output and reach customers in markets less exposed to US trade restrictions.

That matters beyond individual manufacturers. Stronger local production can contribute to more resilient supply chains and support employment across the wider regional economy.

Although the announcement is primarily an economic development measure rather than a tourism programme, a stronger local business environment can also support the wider Saskatoon visitor economy by reinforcing the city’s commercial base, workforce and business activity.

Government signals longer-term resilience

Federal ministers said Saskatchewan businesses have demonstrated resilience during previous economic and operational challenges and are now being encouraged to invest rather than simply absorb tariff-related costs.

Eleanor Olszewski, Minister responsible for PrairiesCan, said the investments would help Saskatchewan businesses adapt, grow and compete.

Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, described Saskatchewan as pivotal to the Canadian economy and said the government wanted businesses to become more prosperous and independent.

Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, said the funding would help Saskatoon companies build more products domestically and find new customers internationally.

The message is clear: tariff protection alone is not the intended solution. Ottawa is also betting on productivity, diversification and domestic manufacturing capacity to help businesses withstand prolonged trade uncertainty.

The wider outlook

The $11.6 million Saskatoon package comes as Canadian businesses continue to navigate an unpredictable US trade environment.

For the eight organisations receiving support, the immediate priority is keeping production moving and managing higher costs. The longer-term objective is more ambitious: stronger operations, broader markets and greater resilience.

If those investments deliver as intended, the funding could leave participating companies better positioned not only to withstand today’s tariff pressures but also to compete in a changing global economy.