Government of Canada support to help businesses across the Greater Toronto Area adapt, compete and increase resiliency
News release
FedDev Ontario investment supports 10 businesses to modernize operations and unlock new opportunities for growth
May 21, 2026 – Etobicoke, Ontario
The Greater Toronto Area is a leading centre for innovation, uniting world-class talent and cutting-edge capabilities to fuel Canada’s economic growth and global competitiveness. As global markets evolve and competitive pressures increase, the Government of Canada remains committed to investing in Greater Toronto area businesses—helping them adapt, compete, and grow by strengthening productivity, supporting innovation, and creating good, sustainable jobs.
Today, the Honourable John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour) and Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North, on behalf of 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 Spacefile, an Etobicoke-based manufacturer of high-density storage products and solutions. While there, he announced an investment of nearly $9 million to support 10 businesses affected by trade disruptions, including A.U.G. Signals, Acorn Biolabs, Candor Industries, ChargeLab, Etobicoke Ironworks, MTech, Somerville Merchandising, Spacefile, Trinity Tech, and V.C. Ultimate.
This funding, through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, will support these companies to improve efficiency, adopt new technologies, and grow, benefiting businesses in southern Ontario. For information on the individual projects, refer to the backgrounder.
As part of this announcement, Spacefile is receiving an over $155,000-investment to add new advanced equipment to support the modernization of its manufacturing operations. The investment will improve efficiency, and support the company’s growth by strengthening its competitiveness.
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Canadian businesses, safeguarding workers, and strengthening competitiveness, economic resilience, and long‑term prosperity across the country.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is making strategic investments to help businesses overcome tariff‑related challenges and strengthen its economic foundation. Today, that support is reaching Spacefile and 9 other Toronto‑area businesses—helping them modernize operations, diversify markets, and compete. These investments are protecting good local jobs, reinforcing supply chain resilience, and laying the groundwork for long‑term growth in Toronto and across southern Ontario.”
- 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 is about supporting Toronto-area businesses, ensuring they can grow locally while competing globally. It helps protect good local jobs, create new opportunities for workers and employers, and strengthen economic growth right here at home.”
- The Honourable John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour) and Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North
“We appreciate the support of FedDev Ontario in these uncertain times. The new equipment will allow us to be more competitive in our marketplace.”
- John Harkness, President, Spacefile
Quick facts
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Through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), the Government of Canada is providing $1.5 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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The RTRI is part of a broad set of tariff support measures, including the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility, the creation of a new $1 billion Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) program, a 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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Founded in 1970, Spacefile is an Etobicoke-based metal manufacturer that builds high density mobile storage systems for various industries including health care, retail, museums, libraries, law enforcement, government, golf clubs and many other industries.
Associated links
Contacts
Peter Wall
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Innovation and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Peter.Wall@ised-isde.gc.ca
FedDev Ontario Media Relations
media@feddevontario.gc.ca
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