CKCA Announces Member’s Levy for 2026

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL – SPECIAL LEVY NOTICE  

MEMBERS’ LEVY FOR 2026

The Canadian kitchen cabinet industry is facing an exceptional situation with sagging business and consumer confidence through the country, and on-going trade and tariff issues with the U.S. CKCA has taken extraordinary action for its members during this period and intends on continuing supportive initiatives in 2026.

The current challenge to our Canadian kitchen cabinet industry is something that has the potential to affect all cabinet businesses in the months ahead. Manufacturers who export to the U.S. today are feeling immense pressure with the impact of the 25% U.S. tariffs (this is to rise to 50% on January 1, 2026). Those manufacturers will need to pivot from their American market and will inevitably be looking to sell into the Canadian market. This “pivot” will have an impact on the whole of the Canadian industry, as the larger manufacturers will be competing with local cabinet businesses. We only need look at the situation in the U.S., where its domestic market is predominantly large cabinet manufacturers and few, smaller regional/local businesses.

To address this industry challenge, this fall CKCA attained the services of Earnscliffe Strategies, a prominent government affairs firm in Ottawa with specific expertise in business and Canada-U.S. trade, and working knowledge and experience on both sides of the border. Earnscliffe Strategies has raised awareness in Ottawa with politicians and key policy-decision makers to the struggles of kitchen cabinet businesses since the implementation of the U.S. tariffs. Our government relations firm is advancing a multi-prong action plan that emphasizes:

  • the consideration of the Canadian kitchen cabinet industry with the federal Buy Canadian program, and the necessity of sourcing Canadian kitchen cabinets for the federal government’s housing initiative;
  • consideration of support for the Canadian industry in response to the unfair trade practices of China and other Asian countries; and,
  • greater awareness of the challenges before kitchen cabinet manufacturers in the trade negotiations with the United States – both with Canada’s CUSMA negotiations and bilateral trade and tariff discussions.

Earnscliffe Strategies is also advising CKCA on the federal government’s relief initiatives to support Canadian industry through the country’s current business challenges.

CKCA is applying a special levy of $150 to help offset the costs of the necessary government relations work through 2026. This levy will be collected at the time of membership renewal.

Should there be questions or concerns about the levy, please contact CKCA Executive Director Sandra Wood.

Update on US Tariffs applied to Canadian cabinet manufacturing

Media Requests:

If you are looking for comments and input from CKCA,  please contact Sandra Wood, Executive Director, CKCA sandra@ckca.ca or 613-493-5858. We can put you in touch with our spokesperson.

Tariff Relief and other help:

There is economic support available for Canadian businesses and workers directly impacted by US tariffs. Please note these programs are loan-based only.  U.S. Tariff Support for Canadian businesses and workers – Canada.ca.

CKCA members are also members of CFIB (Canadian Federation of Independent Business). While we are working to get clarification on what components are impacted by these tariffs, please feel free to call CFIB’s help line at 1-888-234-2232, they may be able to assist individual companies.

Updates:

November 26, 2025

CKCA Members are invited to a valuable education session (via Zoom) on Dec.11 with presentations by the IWPA. Click here for more details.

November 24, 2025

CKCA continues to meet with Government officials to raise the flag for our industry. Most government officials are unaware that the wood products industry is now one of the most tariffed industries in the country (we are at 25% now and will be 50% as of Jan 1, 2026).  We must continue to reach out to politicians and government to ensure they realize the full impact these tariffs are having on our industry and the importance of the Buy Canadian policy. It has to be rigorous enough in the multi-layered building industry to reach and benefit the Canadian manufacturers who should be prioritized to get any and all level of Government subsidized or funded housing project work. Our industry also need protection from cheap foreign imports entering our country at an increasing amount. With the US firm stand on tariffs, this will result in more dumping of cheap product into Canada.

November 14, 2025

It’s time to speak up! CKCA has released our Advocacy Toolkit to support members who wish to speak with their political representatives.  Click here for details »

October 27 2025

President Trump announced an additional 10% tariff in response to a media campaign created by the Ontario Government that placed ads on US TV targeting tariffs using video footage and words spoken by former US President, Ronald Reagan. While these ads were removed, we have not heard if this additional tariff threat will come into effect. Currently there has not been an Executive Order that confirms application of these tariffs. We will post an update when more information becomes available.

CKCA Policy Issues:

US Tariffs on Canadian built kitchen cabinet went into effect on October 14, 2025. The industry is still adjusting to these new rules and clarity around how tariffs get applied are still being clarified. We are aware that millwork is not affected by these tariffs, but encourage you to please check with your customs brokers to confirm these details due to the ruling of “components”. Labelling of materials will be extremely important. Many manufacturers provide both cabinetry and millwork to their US clients. The US tariffs are placing tremendous strain on those companies who export to the US and the long term impact will affect the entire Canadian industry. CKCA is working hard on this issue. We have heard from members, we understand what is at stake and the urgency of this situation.  We are taking action and have identified three policy issues we are pursuing.

 

  1. We want the tariffs announced by the US Government on September 25th and with the Proclamation issued on September 29th to be dropped on Canadian Cabinetry exported to the US at fair market value. In the letter sent from the American Cabinet Alliance to President Donald Trump,  there was no mention of Canada being a country of concern. See letter here».
  2. We call on Government to require that any business receiving government funding, subsidies, or incentives within the building and construction sectors must source cabinetry products “Made in Canada” as a condition of eligibility. Specifically, CKCA requests that the federal, provincial, and municipal government housing initiatives be required to source its cabinetry from Canadian companies where the products are manufactured in Canada. We are looking at programs such as Build Canada Homes initiative. See CKCA Press Release September 24th here»
  3. The Canadian cabinet industry welcomes and benefits from a competitive marketplace. We call on the Canadian federal government to address the issue of foreign imports entering Canada at below fair market value. This issue is undermining the domestic industry and threatening our livelihoods. See data here»

In addition, please note that the Government of Canada, through CMHC has now released their Housing Catalogue and designs can be found here»

Consultations are now open for the Buy Canadian Policy under the Government of Canada’s department of Public Services and Procurement and we will be participating in those consultations.

Background:

“Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, imports of kitchen cabinets and vanities, as listed in Annex I to this proclamation, will be subject to a 25 percent ad valorem duty rate.  This duty shall apply to completed kitchen cabinets and vanities as well as parts imported for use in kitchen cabinets and vanities.”

“Effective January 1, 2026, the duty rate in clause 2 shall increase to 30 percent and the duty rate in clause 3 shall increase to 50 percent, and shall continue in effect, except for countries with which the United States reaches an agreement that addresses the threatened impairment of the national security posed by imports of wood products.  Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, the tariffs imposed in this proclamation are in addition to any other duties, taxes, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported wood products.”

  • The EU and Japan will only see a 15% tariff on the products instead of 25 due to already negotiated deals. The UK will not exceed 10%. Tariffs took effect October 14th. As of Jan 1 2026  upholstered wood products will jump to 30% and kitchen cabinets will jump to 50% (clause 5 in the order section).
  • CFIB also has a tariff webpage should you wish to refer.
  • Please note that these tariffs are being implemented by the U.S. government.
  • CUSMA consultations are open until November 3.
  • According to StatsCan 2024 data, the Canadian cabinet industry exports approximately $610 million per year to the U.S.. We do not export much to other countries.
  • We estimate 20-30% of the industry is directly impacted by these tariffs because they export some portion of their cabinetry to the US.
  • Tariff relief programs are in effect, however, some of these come with very specific conditions. Please see the Pivot to Grow program offered through BDC here» 
  • CKCA recently announced to members at our National Forum in Kelowna, BC that our organization is advocating for made-in-Canada cabinetry to be included in the government-sponsored housing initiatives for our domestic market.  Please see our press release here».

Please direct all inquiries to:

Sandra Wood

Executive Director

CKCA

sandra@ckca.ca

613-493-5858

CKCA Advocacy Tool says “Its Time to Speak Up”

CKCA has released our Advocacy Kit for 2025 that now includes revised data on the industry along with backgrounders that speak to the issues we are currently addressing which include:

  1. US Tariffs (currently at 25% and increasing to 50% Jan 1 2026).
  2. Canadian Gov’t funded home building programs and builder incentives must require that Canadian cabinet companies get the business. 

The kitchen cabinet industry is facing an unprecedented crisis. Not only have we been impacted by foreign imports entering Canada at below fair market value from China, we are now facing significant tariffs from the US which will, on January 1, 2026, likely shut down exports to the US from companies in Canada that have been selling cabinetry into the US for years. This will create a tighter market and more uncertainty for the entire industry which has become collateral damage in a reset of trade with our biggest trading partner, the US.

The Canadian kitchen cabinet industry needs to speak up and educate our politicians on the economic benefits of our industry and what these threats will ultimately do to our industry if something isn’t done now. This kit empowers every member of CKCA to meet with their politicians and speak up about what’s happening and how we can solve these challenges to ensure the sustainability of the domestic cabinet industry in Canada.

Now, more than ever we need you. If you’re not a member of CKCA, please join us and help our industry’s voice get louder. Because the issues we face are not just affecting some businesses, they will impact every cabinet, supplier and dealer business in the Canadian kitchen cabinet industry. It’s time to speak up.

If you would like a copy of the advocacy kit, please contact sandra@ckca.ca or 613-493-5858.

Review of Federal Budget 2025/2026 for cabinet industry

Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered Budget 2025: Canada Strong on November 4, 2025, the first budget in 18 months.

CKCA Members will receive the full summary from CKCA’s Government Relations Firm, Earnscliffe Strategies. If you ‘re a CKCA member and would like to see that summary, please contact sandra@ckca.ca

Some other points to highlight relevant to the Canadian kitchen cabinet industry are:

Buy Canadian Policy:

  • $98.2 million over five years, starting in 2026-27, and $9.8 million ongoing to Public Services and Procurement Canada and $7.7 million over three years, starting in 2026-27, to the Treasury Board Secretariat to support the implementation of the new Buy Canadian Policy.
  • $79.9 million over five years, starting in 2026-27, to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to support the new Small and Medium Business Procurement Program.

Industrial Tax Policy:

  • Government is reintroducing the Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance on most capital assets and immediate expensing provisions. The budget also extends immediate expensing to manufacturing and processing buildings. This is a sound way to improve productivity among many Canadian SMEs.

Infrastructure Investments:

  • Launch a new Build Communities Strong Fund. to be administered by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, with funding of $51.0 billion over 10 years, starting in 2026-27 and $3.0 billion per year ongoing in new and existing funding for this initiative. The fund will have three streams, one is:
  • Direct Delivery Stream, delivered by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada which allocates $6 billion over 10 years, starting in 2026-27 to support regionally significant projects large building retrofits, climate adaptation, and community infrastructure.

Housing:

  • Increase the Canada Mortgage Bond (CMB) annual issuance limit from $60 billion to $80 billion. The increase will apply exclusively to multi-unit housing.

 

CKCA Wants Government to Buy from Canadian Cabinet Manufacturers

PRESS RELEASE

September 24, 2025 

Kitchen cabinet manufacturers call on PM Carney to ensure Canadian companies are “at the centre of national housing initiative”

September 24, 2025 / Kelowna, BC — The Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Association (CKCA) is calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to ensure the federal government will consider the Canadian cabinetry manufacturers in the federal government’s national housing initiative. The CKCA Board of Directors moved a motion relating to the federal government procurement process at its national forum in Kelowna B.C.

CKCA Board moved: “Any business receiving government funding, subsidies, or incentives within the building and construction sectors must be required to source cabinetry products “Made in Canada” as a condition of eligibility. Specifically, CKCA requests that the federal, provincial, and municipal government housing initiatives be required to source its cabinetry from Canadian companies where the products are manufactured in Canada.”

Luke Elias, CKCA Vice-President stated, “Building more homes and other infrastructure has become increasingly important in the country. We urge the Prime Minister to ensure Canadian manufacturers and builders are the driving force behind Canada’s housing program. The procurement process should require Canadian companies be considered first where the products are manufactured in Canada.”

“Let’s ensure Canadian companies are at the centre of the national housing initiative. This will help to keep taxpayers’ money in the country and support our economy and our communities knowing that manufacturing is the economic engine of Canada,” commented Elias.

The Canadian kitchen cabinet manufacturers are a significant part of the country’s economy. They employ more than 25,000, generate more than $4.7 billion in annual revenue, and have been manufacturing in Canada for more than 50 years. The workforce is highly skilled, producing quality, functional spaces that turn houses into homes. Many cabinetry companies are family-run, generational businesses. This fact carries a unique sense of pride, ownership and longevity to continue the legacies started by the original owners many of whom came from other countries choosing to settle and build their lives and successful businesses in Canada.

Learn more with this short video: We Build In Canada!

The Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Association (CKCA), established in 1968, is a national trade association representing the kitchen cabinet industry in Canada. CKCA works to inspire progress and innovation in the industry, by promoting excellence, facilitating continuous improvement and working to ensure high standards for design and manufacturing are upheld.

Benefits of Buying Canadian Made – Watch our Video here»

For more information:

Sandra Wood, CKCA Executive Director

sandra@ckca.ca 613-493-5858

 

HOUSING STATEMENT BACKGROUNDER

Canadian-Made Kitchen Cabinets for Canada’s National Housing Program

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a bold new initiative to address Canada’s housing crisis.

The federal government has a goal of more than doubling the number of housing construction starts per year from 245,367 in 2024 (CMHC) to 500,000 houses annually for the next five years. The Prime Minister has pledged that Canadian industries will be the driving force behind this achievement.

CKCA would like to see clear procurement policies that will ensure Canadian industries are at the centre of the national housing initiative.

There is a need for a strong procurement policy. This policy should underline that any Canadian business receiving government subsidies or incentives within the building and construction sectors must be required to source Canadian-made products as a condition of eligibility.

Specifically with respect to cabinetry, CKCA requests that the federal housing program be required to source its cabinetry from Canadian companies where the products are manufactured in Canada.

Let’s have Canadian-built kitchen cabinets in our Canadian-built homes

At the Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Association (CKCA) national forum September 23-25 Kelowna, BC, the Board of Directors passed the following motion:

Any business receiving government funding, subsidies, or incentives within the building and construction sectors must be required to source cabinetry products “Made in Canada” as a condition of eligibility.

 Specifically, CKCA requests that the federal, provincial, and municipal government housing initiatives be required to source its cabinetry from Canadian companies where the products are manufactured in Canada

 * Made in Canada is defined as interpreted by the guidelines set out by the Competition Bureau of Canada

For more information:

Sandra Wood, CKCA Executive Director

sandra@ckca.ca

613-493-5858

CKCA Delighted to Align with Woodsure’s Insurance Program for Members

CKCA is pleased to announce our alignment with Woodsure’s specialized insurance program, designed to support the unique needs of manufacturers across Canada.  The partnership offers CKCA members access to tailored insurance solutions that reflect the realities of cabinetry, millwork, and wood product manufacturing – enhancing risk management and providing peace of mind in a complex industry.

A message from Connie Rowley, Woodsure’s SVP of Manufacturing Wood Products.

“Woodsure’s Value-Add Program for Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers is designed to enhance risk management and reduce operational costs through tailored insurance solutions.  By participating in the program, cabinet manufacturers gain access to comprehensive property, equipment, and liability insurance coverage specifically underwritten for the wood products sector.  The program supports businesses through preferred rates, risk engineering consultations, and loss control planning aligned with the unique needs of cabinet manufacturing facilities.”

Participants also benefit from Woodsure’s deep industry expertise, including guidance on loss prevention, production safeguards, and best practices developed through years of working with wood products manufacturers across Canada.

As part of Woodsure’s broader commitment to strengthening Canada’s wood manufacturing ecosystem, this program empowers members of the association to grow their business with confidence and safeguard their operations for the long term.

Look for us at the upcoming CKCA National Conference in Kelowna and at the WMS this fall.

 Contact:

info@woodsure.ca

416-891-3174

CKCA Announces Candidates Running for Board Positions 2025/2026

We are pleased to advise CKCA members that we received 8 candidate applications to fill the 3 positions available on the CKCA Board of Directors for 2025/2026

In accordance with CKCA bylaws, at least one or more of the three positions must be filled by a CKCA manufacturer.

CKCA voting members (one voting representative per member company) will have the opportunity to select their top 3 from the list of candidates below. Proxy and Ballot forms will be available starting May 30, 2025 for advance voting, or members are invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Members live on Zoom on June 19, 2025 at 1pm (ET).

We are proud to have so many excellent candidates step forward this year and we wish them all the very best (listed in alphabetical order)

Link to current Board slate (2024/2025) here»

Candidates for 2025/2026:

Jean Bakhache, Sales Consultant, Plant Canada (Supplier Member)

QC – Bio here»

 

 

 

 

 

 

Craig Bauslaugh, Chief Improvement Officer, Columbia Cabinets (Manufacturing Member)

BC – Bio here»

 

 

 

 

 

Trevor Chaulk, Owner, Chaulk Woodworking (Manufacturing Member)

Board incumbent, seeking re-election for a second 3-year term.

ON – Bio here»

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freya Hannah, Business Development N.A., Cieblink (Supplier Member)

ON – Bio here»

 

 

 

 

Praveena Nathan, Office Manager, Cortina Kitchens/Niico (Manufacturing Member)

ON – Bio here»

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Richter, Owner, Troico (Manufacturing Member)

BC – Bio here»

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rishelle Tarr, Director Business Operations, Westwood Cabinetry (Manufacturing Member)

BC – Bio here»

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeremie Tudeau, Director of Manufacturing Technologies, Miralis

QC – Bio here»

 

CKCA partners with MNP to bring MORE business expertise!

CKCA is pleased to partner with MNP a Canadian company, founded in 1958 that offer client-focused accounting, consulting, tax and digital services in more than 150 communities. MNP is committed to the success of Canadian individuals, businesses and organization.

Why MNP?

CKCA has tapped expertise from MNP over the past 3 years through webinars and presentations and now we can continue offering great advise on topics relevant to our members. We’ve had excellent feedback from members and we want to bring you more!

“The presentation that Yohaan Thommy gave at the CKCA Regional Event in Vancouver in 2023 was excellent. It was so good, I’m still using the information shared by this presenter in my business today.”

Luke Elias, President, Muskoka Cabinet Company

What’s in it for CKCA members?

You will get a 45 minute free consultation but what makes this unique is that you will have access to the entire breadth and width of the firm (9500+ professionals) that all have various and specific expertise (tax, corporate finance etc.). Your first meeting will be with Yohaan Thommy, PMP, LSSBB, CMC, Partner, Performance Improvement & Value Creation.

How to get started?

Watch for event announcements on upcoming webinars and presentations.

Get in touch with Yohaan Thommy directly at:

yohaan.thommy@mnp.ca

905-220-3211

50 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Suite 900

Mississauga, ON L5B 3C2

mnp.ca