Lucas Bruzzese says he lost 10 percent of his business after the Trump administration’s new 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods were put in place.
Bruzzese, the CEO of Canadian Metal Buildings, a Hamilton-based manufacturer, said “we went from about 10 per cent of our business being servicing American clients to nothing.”
He said he knew he had to shift his company’s focus domestically, and applied for help from the federal government through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative.
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Canadian Metal Buildings was announced as one of nine Hamilton-area businesses receiving a combined $12.5 million on Monday.
“It’s fantastic news,” he said. “It’s a tremendous relief especially for the ongoing hard times that we’re facing.”
Bruzzese says the federal funding will allow them to expand further across Canada and potentially into overseas markets.
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario Minister Evan Solomon announced the investments Monday at Niko Apparel Systems in Hamilton, another business receiving the funding.
The other seven businesses receiving support are Automation Design and Installation Inc., Biederman Enterprises Ltd., FELLFAB Limited, Hooper Welding Enterprises Limited, Max Aicher North America, Whitebird/Moyy, and Superior Radiant Products Ltd.
“Each business is pivoting and committed to serving our Canadian people, continuing to be the lifeblood of our economy,” Solomon said.
Solomon says the investments will be repayable and are intended to help the companies adapt to pressures from the tariffs, strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chains, and create opportunities.
“We are increasing the maximum non-repayable contribution from a million to 3 million because businesses need it for growth,” Solomon said.
On Aug., 22, the U.S. hit Canada with 50 per cent tariffs on about $28 billion worth of Canadian exports to the U.S.. Prime Minister Mark Carney followed that up by announcing Canada would match those tariffs dollar for dollar beginning Sept. 8.
As part of Monday’s announcement, the federal government will be investing half of a $400,000 project from Niko Apparel, a Canadian-owned manufacturer of technical apparel, that will go toward equipment upgrades and improving workforce skills.
Joe Camillo, president of Niko Apparel, said the funding will help the company become more competitive in Canada and abroad while continuing to manufacture in Hamilton.
“Without export, without our ability to compete worldwide, we can’t provide the lives that I think our citizens need in this area,” he said.
Solomon said the federal government is trying to help businesses withstand the uncertainty created by the trade dispute while continuing to invest.
“We’re here to protect our country, our community, our democracy, our businesses, our entrepreneurs, our workers,” he said.
Solomon compared the trade dispute to a hockey game, saying Canada may currently be in a “scrap” with the United States, but will eventually return to being partners.
“But in the meantime, we’re not going to bend, break, we’re going to build,” he said.
He said the companies receiving funding are choosing to invest despite the uncertainty.
“All of these companies … are investing because the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror,” Solomon said.
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The federal government announced last week a $7.5-billion package of new and enhanced measures for Canadian workers and businesses, on top of the nearly $25 billion in supports introduced since U.S. tariffs were implemented.
The government says it will invest an additional $1.5 billion in the Regional Tariff Response Initiative beginning in September. Liquidity support available will also be up to $2 million.
“This is not defensive,” Solomon said. “This is about absorbing and building and growing.”
For Bruzzese, the goal is to emerge from the current uncertainty with a stronger Canadian business.
“There’s an ample amount of opportunity here in Canada,” he said. “That’s what we’re focused on servicing and building up that capacity.”
Also on Monday, Solomon toured Roustan Hockey’s manufacturing facility in Brantford, Ont. Roustan makes traditional wooden hockey sticks and has origins that date back to the 1800s. The company has survived decades of trade globalization to hang on as the last North American commercial manufacturer of classic wooden sticks.
In a statement from the company on Monday, Roustan said “as stewards of the only commercial hockey stick factory in Canada, we greatly appreciate the support we have received from Canadians and the interest from the federal government.”
The release said “we also want to encourage Canadians to buy Made In Canada products. Every purchase will help support Canadian workers, Canadian communities and the future of hockey in Canada.”
