Official Statement from Ryan Donally, President & CEO, Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce
The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce welcomes today’s announcement by the Government of Canada and the Honourable Evan Solomon to invest more than $20 million in 14 local manufacturers, strengthening innovation, competitiveness, diversification, and industrial capacity across our region.
Windsor-Essex is one of the most manufacturing-intensive regions in Canada, with nearly one in five local jobs tied to the sector and a globally significant tool, die, and mould cluster that underpins North America’s industrial supply chains. This is where manufacturing begins—and where Canada’s economic strength is built from the ground up.
Today’s investment directly supports that industrial foundation. By enabling companies to adopt advanced technologies, expand capacity, and strengthen supply chains, this funding helps ensure Canadian manufacturing remains competitive, resilient, and positioned for long-term growth.
We are especially proud to see Chamber members Laval Tool & Mould Ltd. and Post Packaging Inc. included among the recipients. These companies reflect the innovation and expertise that define Windsor-Essex’s manufacturing base and play a critical role in supporting both regional and national supply chains. We also acknowledge multiple active members of our Economic Trade Task Force, whose leadership continues to inform advocacy efforts and strengthen the competitiveness of our overall regional economy.
We thank Minister Solomon and the federal government not only for this important announcement, but also for their swift action in delivering an additional $1.5 billion in tariff relief through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative—support that is critically needed as manufacturers navigate ongoing global trade and supply chain pressures. With more than $200 million of a broader $500 million envelope earmarked for Southern Ontario companies, this initial investment and future invesments recognizes the central role our region plays in Canada’s industrial economy. Continued support will be essential to maintain momentum, protect jobs, and enable businesses to diversify markets and grow. We look forward to continued collaboration with the federal government as our region is an anchor to preserving industrial capacity and staying aligned with our long-term economic and security objectives. With Windsor-Essex at the core – we will build Canada Strong.