Federal government invests in Edmonton businesses amid tariff threats

The federal government announced more money to help is coming to Alberta companies trying to reach new markets through research, as industry leaders say tariff talks have created an unstable time. 

“Americans are very quick to adopt new technology in comparison to Canadians. So, we’re very nervous about how this will impact our business,” said James Keirstead, the president & CEO of Levven Electronics.

The president of an Edmonton electronics company that makes light switches and dimmers for homes says the threat of U.S. Tariffs hanging over his business could slow down their sales in the U.S.

The federal Liberal government is giving over $6.5 million to four local companies involved with home technology, digital health care, metal engineering, and battery technology in an effort to hire more people, ramp up research, and increase market access. 

It comes as Canada’s Premiers are in Washington to meet with Republican lawmakers in an attempt to stop threatened tariffs on all Canadian goods by U.S. President Donald Trump. 

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told reporters in Washington on Wednesday that working with the U.S. on issues of border security has worked in getting tariffs paused for 30 days earlier this month. Premier Smith hoping diplomacy will be enough to alleviate threatened 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum.

“What I’ve seen from this President is that he is prepared to make a deal. We’ve made a deal on that and I think we can make a deal on steel and aluminum by making very much the same argument that I’ve been making on energy and critical minerals. We won the argument, that those raw materials are essential to American success,” said Smith.

At Wednesday morning’s announcement, Edmonton’s only Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault told CityNews that he’ll be in Washington later this month with the federal government to make the case for Canadian agriculture, small business, arctic sovereignty, as well as artificial intelligence which he says has direct implications on Edmonton’s tech industry. 

“Edmonton is top three in the world in terms of artificial intelligence and if you don’t think the Americans are freaked out by what the Chinese have just done with DeepSeek, then you know, pick up a newspaper,” said Boissonnault.

But for those representing business leaders in the province, they say while diplomacy with the United States should be a priority for provincial and federal governments in Canada, it’s a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ with tariffs.

Alberta businesses are bracing for impact, with some manufacturers considering relocating to the States. Hoping they’ll receive support from American counterparts. 

“They’re are now increasing the numbers of CEOs and business associations because they know it will affect American jobs and they know it will affect the cost of goods for Americans,” said Adam Legge, the president of the Alberta Business Council.