Backgrounder: The Government of Canada invests over $1.9M in Yukon workers and businesses

September 15, 2026 – Whitehorse, Yukon – Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

This information adds to the news release issued today The Government of Canada invests over $1.9 million to support workers and strengthen businesses in the Yukon about CanNor’s support, the businesses and organizations that received funding through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) and their projects.

The Government of Canada, through CanNor, is providing up to $1,903,869 to four projects that will help strengthen organizational efficiency and local capacity, create new growth opportunities, and build a more resilient and diversified economy for Northerners and all Canadians.

Project information

Project: Pivot from U.S. to Yukon markets for solar and battery energy storage system
Recipient: Solvest Inc.
Location: Whitehorse
Details: A two-year project to design, build, and test a prototype portable solar and battery energy storage system for deployment at placer mines in the Yukon. The project will create a standardized renewable energy platform for Yukon placer mines that will reduce diesel dependency, improve energy reliability, and position Solvest to commercialize a Yukon-manufactured product through future sales and leasing opportunities. The project will enable Solvest to redirect investment from U.S. expansion into Canadian and territorial markets following tariff-related impacts on its Alaska growth strategy.
CanNor contribution: Up to $264,585

Project: Improving efficiency and productivity by modernizing grading operations
Recipient: Cobalt Construction Inc.
Location: Whitehorse
Details: A two-year project to acquire and install four 3D grade control devices. This will modernize grading operations, improve productivity, reduce training time, enhance worksite safety, and strengthen the business. It will also lead to higher productivity and improved technical capability to help Cobalt secure more local contracts, allowing it to maintain its Yukon-based workforce. For over 35 years, Cobalt Construction has specialized in large earth moving projects in both the road construction and mining sectors.
CanNor contribution: Up to $389,285

Project: Technology modernization initiative
Recipient: Northern Vision Development LP
Location: Whitehorse
Details: A three-year project to modernize financial and operational systems for the Northern Vision Development LP group of companies. It is implementing a modern, cloud-based enterprise platform that will unify financial management, purchasing, inventory, and business-unit reporting across all 14 of its entities. It will improve productivity, financial accuracy and organizational capacity.
CanNor contribution: Up to $1,000,000

Project: AI-enhanced productivity, estimating and digitization
Recipient: Ketza Construction Corporation
Location: Whitehorse
Details: A two-year project to implement AI-enabled productivity and estimating enhancements and upgrade Ketza Construction’s digital operations to modernize workflow and operations. This will enhance the business’s ability to model supply-chain risk, compare suppliers, manage volatile pricing, and reduce rework and inefficiency, building a more resilient and future-ready operating model. Ketza Construction has provided general contracting and project management and advisory services in the Yukon for over 50 years.
CanNor contribution: Up to $249,999