Canada · La Baie, Quebec · Elections hub
Ottawa puts $193.3 million into Quebec aluminum projects at Rio Tinto and Aluminerie Alouette
In brief
The Government of Canada announced a $193.3 million investment on October 23, 2026, to strengthen the country's aluminum industry, through its Strategic Response Fund. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said $164.8 million will go toward Rio Tinto's $818.5 million projects in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, and $28.5 million toward Aluminerie Alouette's $135 million project to modernize its smelter on Quebec's North Shore. Together, the projects are expected to maintain about 6,000 full-time jobs and support 65 co-op student placements.
What the money pays for
At Rio Tinto, the funding supports a new billet casting centre at the Alma smelter. Billets are long aluminum logs that factories later push through shaped dies to make window frames, car parts and other extruded products, so making more of them at home keeps more of that value in Canada. The money also helps modernize the anode baking furnaces at the Grande-Baie smelter to make them more reliable and productive. At Aluminerie Alouette, the $28.5 million goes to upgrading its electrolysis operations, the step where electricity turns alumina into aluminum, with the goal of using energy more efficiently and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Why now
The government said global tariffs are putting pressure on Canadian industry and that the aluminum and critical minerals sector supports key industries including defence, aerospace, automotive and infrastructure. The projects are also expected to build ties with Canadian research institutions, colleges and universities, and small and medium-sized businesses.
VSH take: Quebec is one of the world's big aluminum producers largely because of its hydroelectric power, which makes its metal lower in emissions than aluminum made with coal power. Upgrades like these are less flashy than a new plant, but they are often what keeps an older smelter competitive for another generation. Most people we hear from are simply glad to see the money tied to keeping jobs. Curious how much 193 million is in other currencies? Try our currency converter, or work out the shares with the percentage calculator. Planning a trip to the Saguenay fjord? Our flight deals page and travel hub can help.
ViralScopeHub is an independent news summary site and is not affiliated with the Government of Canada, Rio Tinto or Aluminerie Alouette. Check the official news release for full details.
Why it matters
Aluminum is one of Quebec's biggest industries, and the funding is tied to keeping about 6,000 jobs while tariffs put pressure on Canadian exporters.
People also ask
How much is Canada investing in aluminum?
$193.3 million from the Strategic Response Fund: $164.8 million for Rio Tinto projects in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and $28.5 million for Aluminerie Alouette.
What will Rio Tinto build?
A new billet casting centre at its Alma smelter, plus modernized anode baking furnaces at its Grande-Baie smelter, as part of $818.5 million in projects.
How many jobs are involved?
The government says the projects are expected to maintain about 6,000 full-time jobs across Quebec and Canada and support 65 co-op student placements.
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Sources
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