The federal government's new $186-million "Buy Canadian" procurement pledge is opening doors for Windsor-Essex manufacturers to venture into high-value markets like national defence and nuclear energy, according to local industry leaders.
Federal Budget Fuels Local Expansion
Announced in last week's federal budget, the initiative includes approximately $80 million specifically dedicated to helping small- and medium-sized businesses with fewer than 500 employees break into the federal marketplace. This strategic move comes as manufacturers in the Windsor region actively seek to diversify their market presence beyond traditional sectors.
Darren Clarke, Vice-President of Operations at Anchor Danly, revealed that his company is actively exploring several promising areas. "What we're looking at is to get into a diverse portfolio of products right now," said Clarke. "Over the last several months we've been looking to see exactly where our next area of markets to pivot would be."
New Markets: Nuclear, Defence and Data Centres
Clarke identified three key growth areas that Anchor Danly and other local manufacturers are targeting as part of their strategic planning. The company is currently exploring opportunities in the nuclear sector and defence contracting, along with the rapidly expanding data centre market.
"We're looking at different things, such as nuclear," Clarke confirmed. "We're exploring defence. And something that's brand new, and it's a really growing market, is data centres. So we're putting all these things into our consideration for our future strategic planning sessions."
Government Support During Trade Uncertainty
Rechie Valdez, Canada's Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism, visited Anchor Danly in Windsor on Monday, November 10, 2025, to elaborate on the new funding program. Her visit was part of a broader Liberal government effort to promote Prime Minister Mark Carney's first budget and its tariff-combating Buy Canadian policy.
Valdez emphasized the government's commitment to supporting Canadian businesses amid ongoing trade tensions. "They need us, as a federal government, to be there for them," the minister stated during her Windsor appearance.
With Canada-U.S. trade relations experiencing significant strain, Valdez explained that the federal government intends to leverage its purchasing power strategically. "As global trade tensions become more unpredictable, we need to make sure that Canada's success is not dependent on decisions made elsewhere," she said. "That means building our strength here at home with Canadian workers, Canadian materials and Canadian innovation."
The minister reinforced the government's position, stating: "We control who we can buy from, and we choose to buy Canadian."
Windsor's Strategic Position
The Windsor-Essex region, with its extensive manufacturing base and historical cross-border connections, remains particularly vulnerable to international trade fluctuations. Clarke highlighted this reality, noting that "Windsor's small- and medium-sized businesses were among the first to feel the impact of the tariffs. Our community knows first-hand how trade dynamics can shape local livelihoods."
The Buy Canadian initiative represents a significant opportunity for these businesses to secure stable domestic contracts while expanding into sophisticated new sectors that align with national strategic priorities, including nuclear energy and national defence.
