B.C. Southern Interior businesses share $13M in federal tariff funding. Published 10:05 am Tuesday, March 3, 2026 By Betsy Kline Canada's minister of housing and infrastructure Gregor Robertson was in Castlegar on Monday, March 2, to announce more than $13 million in investments for ten Regional Tariff Response Initiative projects across B.C.'s Southern Interior. The tariff response initiative is a $1 billion national program aimed at helping businesses adapt to tariffs and new economic and trade realities by boosting production, strengthening supply chains and accessing new markets. "Tariffs are having a real impact on communities across B.C. That is why we are stepping up with these investments," said Robertson. "The work we are doing is giving forestry and manufacturing businesses the tools they need to adapt - strengthening supply chains and protecting jobs, especially in sectors that are critical for our province." Robertson made the announcement at Kalesnikoff Lumber following a tour of their new mass timber production facility. Kalesnikoff is receiving $5.5 million of the announced funding in the form of a "repayable investment" or interest-free loan. Robertson said the federal government is focused on encouraging modern construction methods that can produce housing that is affordable, Canadian and fast. That is something that Kalesnikoff can help achieve. Kalesnikoff is a major employer in the West Kootenay and a multi-generational company. It is one of only two companies in Canada that are fully integrated from woodlands and sawmilling to mass timber design and modular manufacturing. The company will use the money to purchase new equipment to increase the manufacturing capacity of prefabricated components that can be used to build everything from multi-family housing to schools and commercial buildings. All of the funding provided to for-profit businesses in this announcement will be in the form of interest-free loans. Kelowna-based metal manufacturer Command Industries will receive $730,000 to purchase advanced laser cutting and machining equipment to be used in building their custom steel products used in mass timber production and wastewater remediation. Westbank First Nation-owned Heartland Economics will receive $644,000 to purchase equipment to move into the production of custom-cut wood products. Armstrong-based Rapid-Span manufactures prefabricated bridge and transportation components. They will receive $828,000 to purchase advanced equipment including robotics to bring more work in-house to reduce costs and increase production speed. Also in Armstrong, Simolo Customs will receive $1.56 million to modernize and automate its low-speed electric vehicle production facility and bring battery-production in-house to reduce costs and increase production. Kelowna-based SKYTRAC will receive $762,000 to bring advanced manufacturing technologies to its satellite communication and avionics production facilities. In Kamloops, Axis Forestry builds specialized, steel-based large timber harvesters for logging operations. They will receive $590,000 to make adaptations to their harvesters. Porcupine Wood Products, based in Salmo, will receive $583,000 to purchase new equipment that will speed production, improve product consistency and increase the value gained from each log. Two non-profit organizations will be receiving funding in the form of grants: Castlegar-based Independent Lumber Manufacturers Association will receive $862,000 to deliver an AI and digital modernization program for its member mills. The project will help mills use data and digital tools to increase productivity and improve supply chain visibility. The Forest Product Association of Canada will receive $974,000 to develop a digital intelligence platform that will reduce transportation delays and improve supply chain reliability.

B.C. Southern Interior businesses share $13M in federal tariff funding. Published 10:05 am Tuesday, March 3, 2026 By Betsy Kline Canada's minister of housing and infrastructure Gregor Robertson was in Castlegar on Monday, March 2, to announce more than $13 million in investments for ten Regional Tariff Response Initiative projects across B.C.'s Southern Interior. The tariff response initiative is a $1 billion national program aimed at helping businesses adapt to tariffs and new economic and trade realities by boosting production, strengthening supply chains and accessing new markets. "Tariffs are having a real impact on communities across B.C. That is why we are stepping up with these investments," said Robertson. "The work we are doing is giving forestry and manufacturing businesses the tools they need to adapt - strengthening supply chains and protecting jobs, especially in sectors that are critical for our province." Robertson made the announcement at Kalesnikoff Lumber following a tour of their new mass timber production facility. Kalesnikoff is receiving $5.5 million of the announced funding in the form of a "repayable investment" or interest-free loan. Robertson said the federal government is focused on encouraging modern construction methods that can produce housing that is affordable, Canadian and fast. That is something that Kalesnikoff can help achieve. Kalesnikoff is a major employer in the West Kootenay and a multi-generational company. It is one of only two companies in Canada that are fully integrated from woodlands and sawmilling to mass timber design and modular manufacturing. The company will use the money to purchase new equipment to increase the manufacturing capacity of prefabricated components that can be used to build everything from multi-family housing to schools and commercial buildings. All of the funding provided to for-profit businesses in this announcement will be in the form of interest-free loans. Kelowna-based metal manufacturer Command Industries will receive $730,000 to purchase advanced laser cutting and machining equipment to be used in building their custom steel products used in mass timber production and wastewater remediation. Westbank First Nation-owned Heartland Economics will receive $644,000 to purchase equipment to move into the production of custom-cut wood products. Armstrong-based Rapid-Span manufactures prefabricated bridge and transportation components. They will receive $828,000 to purchase advanced equipment including robotics to bring more work in-house to reduce costs and increase production speed. Also in Armstrong, Simolo Customs will receive $1.56 million to modernize and automate its low-speed electric vehicle production facility and bring battery-production in-house to reduce costs and increase production. Kelowna-based SKYTRAC will receive $762,000 to bring advanced manufacturing technologies to its satellite communication and avionics production facilities. In Kamloops, Axis Forestry builds specialized, steel-based large timber harvesters for logging operations. They will receive $590,000 to make adaptations to their harvesters. Porcupine Wood Products, based in Salmo, will receive $583,000 to purchase new equipment that will speed production, improve product consistency and increase the value gained from each log. Two non-profit organizations will be receiving funding in the form of grants: Castlegar-based Independent Lumber Manufacturers Association will receive $862,000 to deliver an AI and digital modernization program for its member mills. The project will help mills use data and digital tools to increase productivity and improve supply chain visibility. The Forest Product Association of Canada will receive $974,000 to develop a digital intelligence platform that will reduce transportation delays and improve supply chain reliability.

News avionics SKYTRAC and Airbus Helicopters launch Helionix alerting solution. November 24, 2025 By Helicopters Staff SKYTRAC Systems and Airbus Helicopters announced the launch of a line-fit, real-time Helionix alerting solution that is available on H135, H145, H160, and H175 rotorcraft. The solution is designed to allow operators to receive operational data from the helicopter while in-flight. Enabled by SKYTRAC's ISAT-200A, the solution integrates with Airbus' Helionix system to transmit the in-flight data captured in real-time to ground crews via the Iridium network. Operators can receive real-time in-flight parameters such as usage monitoring system (UMS) exceedances, helicopter tail number, position, time, speed, and altitude data, one engine inoperative (OEI) alerts, fuel level alerts, caution panel alerts, and chip detection occurrences through this new solution. Optionally, these in-flight parameters can also be offloaded post-flight over the cellular network to streamline operations and avoid manual data offloading. SKYTRAC explains this solution enables operators of the H135, H145, H160, and H175 helicopters to meet IOGP 690 standards for offshore missions by transmitting Usage Monitoring System (UMS) data in real time. The same technology enhances various operations across the industry, including Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), by improving situational awareness and operational efficiency through real-time UMS visibility. Proven in the field with H135 and H145 operators, SKYTRAC explains the solution reflects its commitment to safety and performance across critical missions. Powered by the ISAT-200A and DAL-200 or DLS-140, this solution provides both satellite and cellular connectivity and features direct integration with the Helionix system for seamless inflight and post-flight offloading of UMS data, enhancing operational effectiveness. "We are excited to be able to announce the availability of this solution in partnership with Airbus and highlight how we are committed to providing solutions that benefit the safety of air transport operators in the oil and gas industry and beyond," " said Rodrigo Lima, Director of Business Development of SKYTRAC. "Our strong partnership and history with Airbus enables us to deliver this solution for H135, H145, H160, and H175 operators, ensuring they have access to the real-time flight data they need to meet regulatory standards and operate effectively in all environments." This is not the first time SKYTRAC and Airbus have partnered on a solution for their aircraft. In 2022, SKYTRAC announced that they were selected for the H160M French Joint Light Helicopter Programme, which will see SKYTRAC providing the helicopter manufacturer with Iridium Certus connectivity systems for their newly announced H160M rotorcraft on behalf of the French Armament General Directorate. Prior to that, SKYTRAC had also partnered with Airbus in providing their avionics direct from the factory on H145, H160, H175, and H225 models and, most recently, developed an ISAT-200A and DAL-200 solution for the H135, which saw its first factory installation just last year. As a line-fit option from Airbus' factory, customers can access this new solution upon receiving their new H135, H145, H160 or H175 rotorcraft. This solution may also be available for current operators of H135, H145, H160 or H175 rotorcraft depending on their aircraft serial number.