As part of a federal initiative responding to increased U.S. tariffs, Mount Royal University will receive $1.5 million towards a new centre out of the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship focussed on logistics and transportation.
On Feb. 17, Eleanor Olszewski, minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), announced federal funding totalling more than $5.8 million through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) for five projects in southern Alberta. The aim is more resilient businesses that are better equipped to compete and overcome global trade pressures.
Dr. Chad London, provost and VP Academic at MRU; Eleanor Olszewski, minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada; Corey Hogan, MP for Calgary Confederation and parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; and Bianca Parsons, executive director of the Alberta Food Processors Association at funding announcement on Tuesday (Feb 17) at Platform Calgary.
"The world has changed. In a more uncertain global trade environment, businesses and not-for-profit organizations across Alberta are working hard to adapt and compete. Through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, our government is supporting their shift from reliance to resilience," said Olszewski. "That means strengthening domestic capacity, securing supply chains and opening new markets. Together, we are building a more secure and competitive economy that will help Alberta and Canada succeed in a changing world."
Nearly $4.5 million of this investment will be allocated to three not-for-profit organizations to deliver business support services and enhance collaboration with a goal of advancing the export readiness of Alberta businesses. This includes $1.5 million for Mount Royal to launch the Alberta Logistics Centre of Excellence which will deliver specialized programming to help prove and commercialize innovative transportation and logistics products and technologies. More details concerning the new centre will be available in the coming weeks.
Also included in not-for-profit funding is nearly $1.5 million for the Alberta Food Processors Association to provide tailored advice to help food and beverage businesses improve performance and productivity by adopting new technologies and scaling-up operations.
"Alberta businesses are navigating a rapidly changing trade landscape. The Alberta Logistics Centre of Excellence will provide thought leadership, skills and talent development, and applied programming that helps companies test, refine and commercialize innovative transportation and logistics solutions. PrairiesCan's support ensures that Alberta firms are better positioned to compete, diversify markets and build long-term resilience," said Dr. Chad London, PhD, provost and vice-president academic at Mount Royal.
Two businesses will also receive a total of more than $1.38 million in direct support to expand sales in new national and global markets. Funding will help these businesses expand product lines, establish reliable supply chains, expand production capacity for Canadian goods and provide quality jobs for Albertans.
