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Mark Carney tariffs April 3 2025

Federal government invests $14 million to help Nova Scotia businesses fight tariffs

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The federal government has announced $14.1 million to help protect Canadian businesses and workers in Nova Scotia. 

Minister of Justice Sean Fraser made the announcement at Ace Machining Ltd. in Dartmouth along with local MP Darren Fisher.

“We’re helping businesses here in Nova Scotia, like Ace Machining, adapt to the unjustified U.S tariffs,” said Fraser. “The $14 million in direct support we’re announcing today will help Ace and 26 other businesses and organizations across the provice… our government will continue to make sure our response is fast and agile, so workers and businesses affected by these tariffs get the support they need.”

A total of 27 businesses were announced to be receiving funding.

The funding announced is a part of funding received through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) program. 

The federal government has pledged $7.5 billion of support measures for Canadian workers and businesses affected by U.S tariffs.

“As global trade relationships shift, businesses here in Dartmouth need to be ready to compete and seize new opportunities,” said Fisher. “This is the kind of immediate, targeted support Canada’s new government is delivering to help local businesses adapt to tariffs, grow and succeed in a changing global economy.”

Saint John Tourism Funding Announcement_Alex Allan_Acadia Broadcasting

Ottawa announces $3M for Saint John cultural work

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The federal government has announced more than $3 million in support for tourism, cultural and community projects in Saint John.

The funding is delivered through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

It is being directed to the New Brunswick Museum, the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, Envision Saint John and the Imperial Theatre.

Federal officials said the support will help attract visitors, strengthen public spaces and contribute to long‑term economic growth in the region.

Saint John–Kennebecasis MP Wayne Long made the announcement on behalf of federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser.

Long said the projects reflect ongoing collaboration between municipal, provincial and federal partners.

“We want to grow and support local business because that creates jobs. It generates economic growth, supports local businesses and strengthens the region,” he said.

New Brunswick Museum

The New Brunswick Museum is receiving $1.5 million through ACOA’s Business Development Program for early planning and conservation work tied to its revitalization and expansion.

Planned activities include heritage stone conservation, landscape architectural planning, exhibition design, Indigenous monitoring studies, upgrades to interim facilities, acoustic improvements and the relocation of collections.

Board Chair Tracy Clinch said the redevelopment will have both cultural and economic impacts.

“At the end of the build, we will support more than 100 jobs in the Greater Saint John area and deliver $22.2 million in tax revenue municipally and provincially,” she said.

“It’s a very significant contribution to the area, and culturally speaking, it will be an icon for all of Canada and the world.”

Clinch said the renewed museum will preserve New Brunswick’s natural and cultural heritage while creating modern, accessible spaces designed for future generations.

Canada Games Aquatic Centre

The city of Saint John is receiving $971,520 through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund for detailed design work and technical studies needed to renovate the Canada Games Aquatic Centre.

The upgrades will help prepare the facility to host aquatic events during the 2029 Canada Summer Games and improve accessibility, functionality and energy efficiency.

Mayor Donna Noade Reardon said the centre has long served the region.

“Since 1985, the Canada Games Aquatic Centre has been a focal point for our community and our region,” she said.

Reardon said the planned upgrades will help Saint John meet national competition standards and leave a lasting legacy for athletes and spectators.

Imperial Theatre

The Imperial Theatre is receiving $401,309 in federal support and $250,938 from the province for Phase One of its Elevate Your Experience project.

The upgrades include new assisted‑hearing sound equipment, improvements to the LED lighting control panel and wider automated doors to meet current accessibility standards.

Kate Wilcott, MLA for Saint John West–Lancaster, announced the provincial contribution on behalf of the Regional Development Corporation.

“Our government remains committed to investing in what matters to New Brunswick residents, and we know that the Imperial Theatre matters to the residents of Saint John and the entire region,” she said.

Imperial Theatre Executive Director Angela Campbell said the improvements will modernize the venue and support its role as a National Historic Site that hosts more than 160 performances each year.

2027 World Men’s Curling Championship

Envision Saint John is receiving $216,550 to support the 2027 World Men’s Curling Championship, which will bring 18 international teams to TD Station from March 27 to April 4, 2027.

The event is expected to generate $14 million in direct spending in the Saint John region and $16 million in total economic activity across New Brunswick.

Envision Saint John CEO Andrew Beckett said the support will help deliver a strong event.

“The federal investment in the World Curling Championships not only advances our capacity to deliver a world‑class event and drive meaningful economic impact, but also creates unforgettable experiences for residents and visitors alike,” he said.

Federal officials said the projects reflect a broader commitment to strengthening cultural institutions, public spaces and major events that bring communities together and support long‑term regional growth.

Tantramar Marshes, NB

Funds for research centre in Tantramar Marshes to get greener

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An investment from the federal government will help Ducks Unlimited Canada improve energy efficiency at a research facility in southeast New Brunswick.

The Beaubassin Research Centre will get $324,936 from the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.

A release from the Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada said the investment will help pay for upgrades to the centre, including a new heat pump system to replace an oil furnace and adding a ground-mounted solar energy system.

“The Beaubassin Research Centre is uniquely situated in the heart of the Tantramar Marshes on the New Brunswick-Nova Scotia border, where tough coastal conditions make resilience essential,” said Geoff Harding, Ducks Unlimited’s head of major projects for the Atlantic region.

“This investment in energy upgrades will help secure the future sustainability of the facility and the critical coastal research taking place there.”

Beauséjour MP Dominic LeBlanc said the federal government’s commitment to investing in green infrastructure is also an investment in the well-being of local communities.

“These energy-efficient upgrades will preserve and support Ducks Unlimited Canada’s goal of advancing conservation,” LeBlanc said.

The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program launched in 2021 with an initial investment of $1.5 billion over five years for green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings and the construction of new publicly accessible community buildings.

black laptop

Feds funding high-speed internet in rural New Brunswick

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Millions of dollars are coming to New Brunswick to help bring high-speed internet to rural areas of the province.

It’s part of the federal government’s plans to bring high-speed internet to every household in Canada by 2030.

Secretary of State for Rural Development Buckley Belanger and Fredericton-Oromocto MP David Myles made the announcement May 13 in Keswick Ridge.

It includes $73 million for two projects – one led by Rogers Communications Inc. and the other by Xplore.

The projects are expected to bring access to more than 27,600 households in New Brunswick.

“High-speed internet is no longer a luxury,” Belanger said in a statement. “It’s a necessity, no matter where you live in Canada.”

Belanger said it’s how people access virtual health care, start a business or stay in touch with friends and family.

Rogers chief technology officer Mark Kennedy said the company recognizes how important reliable internet is for Canadians.

Xplore Inc. CEO Brent Johnston said his company is committed to bringing fast, reliable connectivity to communities across the province.

“This build is an important step to improve access to modern, reliable connectivity across the province,” he said.

The funding is part of the Universal Broadband Fund, a $3.225-billion investment by the federal government.

Today, 96.3 per cent of Canadian households have access to high-speed internet, compared to 79 per cent in 2014.

In New Brunswick, 95.6 per cent of households have high-speed internet access.

Screenshot 2026-05-07 094619

Saint John council approves funding agreement to raise Courtney Bay Causeway

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Saint John is securing funding to raise the Courtney Bay Causeway.

At Monday’s council meeting, councillors approved the city entering into a funding agreement with the federal government under the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund to move forward with a revised version of the project.

The funding will cover 40 per cent of the cost to raise the causeway to better protect the east side of the city from sea level rise and storm surge, while the city will cover the leftover 60 per cent.

The city initially submitted a funding application in 2021, proposing the development of a forebay pumping station. The federal government approved the funding of $17.4 million in 2022.

However, after completing an initial investigation and conceptual design for the causeway renewal, it was determined the pumping station would not be feasible.

According to a report from city staff, the pumping station was ruled out due to the high cost of installation and limited upstream benefit relative to the expense, which would’ve brought the project’s total costs to $34 million.

The investigation also found that if the causeway were to be overtopped and fail, the estimated impacts would include roughly $251 million in property damage and municipal repair costs.

After revisiting the project, city staff determined the causeway could be renewed and raised within the approved DMAF funding. However, to cover the remaining costs, the width of the causeway would need to be reduced from four lanes to two, Coun. Gary Sullivan said.

“We’ll have two very nice lanes that’ll get us across the causeway and a trail for active transportation as well, so that we can safely manoeuvre and have folks from the east side join us uptown,” he said. “It will be a modern, rebuilt causeway.”

Under the revised plan, the causeway would be raised to 7.5 metres and include a multi-use trail and a one-metre barrier.

The motion passed unanimously.

According to the staff report, following council’s approval, staff will seek formal confirmation from the federal government and proceed with the design phase.

Without the pumping station, the total project cost is currently estimated at $19.2 million.

Funding for further investigation and detailed design is included in the city’s 2026 general fund capital program, with the city’s total contribution projected at $11.5 million over three years.

Design and permitting are expected to take two years, with construction planned for 2028, the report said.