Minister Solomon in Welland to announce regional tariff relief to help businesses compete, build and transform
News release
FedDev Ontario investment supports four businesses in southern Ontario to modernize operations, protect jobs, and unlock new opportunities for growth at home and abroad
January 12, 2026 - Welland, ON
Through targeted investments, the Government of Canada is committed to providing support to help businesses in all sectors, including steel and automotive, to respond, adapt and compete amid shifting market conditions.
Today, the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), visited Kit Steel Inc., a family-owned reinforcing steel (rebar) fabricator. While there, the Minister announced support for the first four projects approved through the Regional Tariff Relief Initiative, representing more than $3.4 million in investments for businesses affected by trade disruptions: Havelock Metal Co., Kit Steel Inc., Steelcon Fabrication Inc., and Titus Steel Company Ltd. The Minister was joined by Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines.
This funding will help these businesses to undertake targeted and time-sensitive investments to modernize and transform their operations, strengthen their supply chain resilience, and enhance their competitiveness at home and abroad. These investments will help them to emerge stronger and better positioned to achieve long-term economic prosperity. For information on the projects, refer to the backgrounder.
Kit Steel Inc., is receiving more than $650,000 to modernize production infrastructure. This investment will allow the company to adopt state‑of‑the‑art rebar fabrication systems, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening competitiveness.
The Government of Canada is committed to protecting Canadian workers, reinforcing the competitiveness of Canadian businesses and building the strongest economy in the G7.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is making strategic investments to help businesses overcome tariff-related challenges and strengthen Canada’s economic foundation. By supporting transformative investments that modernize operations and enable market diversification, we are protecting jobs, reinforcing supply chain resilience and creating the conditions for long-term growth.”
- The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“Today’s investment gives businesses the opportunity to pursue new growth opportunities at home and abroad. Through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, we are supporting our businesses to protect jobs today and create new ones for tomorrow, while ensuring businesses across the Niagara region, continue to thrive.”
- Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines
“FedDev Ontario’s support through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative program allows us to invest in new technology and modernize our operations in ways that directly increase productivity and strengthen our manufacturing capacity. This investment helps ensure Kit Steel remains competitive while continuing to support skilled jobs and long-term industrial growth in Niagara.”
- Mike Kubes, General Manager, Kit Steel Inc.
Quick facts
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Through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), the Government of Canada will provide $1 billion to small- and medium-sized enterprises impacted by tariffs so they can diversify their markets, create new revenue sources, and adopt innovative technologies to boost competitiveness.
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FedDev Ontario is delivering RTRI in southern Ontario. Visit the website to apply.
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The RTRI is part of a broad set of tariff support measures, including the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility, the Business Development Bank of Canada’s Pivot to Grow initiative, and support for the steel sector through the Strategic Response Fund, as well as the enhancements to the Work-Sharing Program. Together, these efforts demonstrate a commitment to reinforcing Canada’s industrial strength and defending good jobs across the country.
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Incorporated in 2010, Kit Steel is a Canadian, family-owned rebar fabrication company based in Welland, Ontario, serving Niagara and the Golden Horseshoe. The company supplies reinforcing steel for infrastructure, institutional, commercial, and community construction projects across the region.
Associated links
Contacts
Sofia Ouslis
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Innovation and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
sofia.ouslis@ised-isde.gc.ca
Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
media@feddevontario.gc.ca
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