The federal government will spend $164.8 million to add production capacity in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean through a new casting plant and upgraded furnaces. It also announced $28.5 million in federal spending for Aluminerie Alouette’s aluminum electrolysis technology. (The Logic)

Talking point: Despite 50 per cent U.S. trade tariffs targeting the aluminum industry, it has remained a competitive strength for Canada. As my colleague Joanna reported, the U.S. sources about 60 per cent of its aluminum from Canada, which has a much larger industry thanks to Quebec’s hydropower. Still, the government said Friday that the fresh funding would “maintain” about 6,000 jobs. Including Friday’s announcement, Rio Tinto has gotten nearly $487 million in federal funding from the Strategic Response Fund and its predecessor since 2018, plus an additional $60 million granted to its joint aluminum venture with Alcoa. Rio Tinto chair Dominic Barton, recently named chair of Invest in Canada, has said a conflict-of-interest screen prevents his involvement in mining investments.

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