National

Feds give millions to B.C.'s STEMCELL Technologies and HTEC for facility construction

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 Mar, 2025 12:12 PM

The federal government says it's pumping nearly $100 million into two B.C. firms to support the construction of a hydrogen fuel facility and two "cutting-edge biomanufacturing facilities" for vaccines and other treatments.

The Ministry of Innovation, Science and Industry says North Vancouver-based HTEC, a hydrogen energy firm, is getting $49 million toward a facility that turns "industrial byproduct hydrogen" into fuel.

The ministry says the facility is part of the company's plan to create a hydrogen fuel station network between B.C. and Alberta, which has also received support from the provincial government and a sizable loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank last year.

Industry Minister Anita Anand also announced a $49.9-million investment in Burnaby-based STEMCELL Technologies, which will go toward two new biomanufacturing facilities to ramp up production of "specialized inputs that are critical to the development and manufacturing of vaccines, therapies and diagnostics."

Dr. Allen Eaves, the company's founder, says the funding will help fill "a gap in the raw materials required for large-scale manufacturing of vaccines" and other biotechnology products.

The industry ministry says the funding is from the federal Strategic Innovation Fund.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

When are tariffs expected, and on what? Key dates in the Canada-U.S. trade dispute

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he still intends to slap Canada with tariffs next week after a monthlong reprieve. But Canadians confused about Trump's plans aren't alone, with the U.S. president at times contradicting himself about his own tariff plans.

When are tariffs expected, and on what? Key dates in the Canada-U.S. trade dispute

Public safety minister says Canada has answered U.S. demands on border security

Canadian law enforcement and border officials joined McGuinty and Canada's newly appointed "fentanyl czar" Kevin Brosseau in the U.S. capital this week to make a final diplomatic push against the tariffs. Trump's executive order to implement 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian imports, with a lower 10 per cent levy on energy, was delayed until March 4 after Canada agreed to introduce new security measures at the border.

Public safety minister says Canada has answered U.S. demands on border security

B.C.'s NDP government survives non-confidence vote brought forward by Conservatives

The British Columbia government has survived a non-confidence vote late Wednesday after the Opposition Conservative party wasted no time in trying to overthrow the NDP. In a vote that split along party lines, a motion brought forward by Opposition leader John Rustad was narrowly defeated, with every Conservative member voting for while both BC Green Party representatives voted against alongside NDP members.

B.C.'s NDP government survives non-confidence vote brought forward by Conservatives

Vancouver council approves pause on supporting housing projects

Vancouver's council has approved Mayor Ken Sim's plan to temporarily halt net new supportive housing projects in the city. A news release from Sim's office says it will allow the city to focus to "renewing aging, deteriorating stock," and transition temporary modular housing into permanent homes, while pushing for more supply elsewhere in the region.

Vancouver council approves pause on supporting housing projects

Conservatives launch attacks on Mark Carney over his firm's relocation to the U.S.

Carney has become the primary target of Conservative attacks in recent weeks and the party is telling its supporters through fundraising emails that the race is a "sham" and just a "coronation."

Conservatives launch attacks on Mark Carney over his firm's relocation to the U.S.

B.C. looks at coalition of willing provinces to expand trade within Canada, Eby says

The threat of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods and services has pushed the need for improved interprovincial trade as provinces look for ways to diversify their markets to protect economies and jobs. Despite the establishment of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement in 2017, many products do not trade freely among provinces and territories.