CKCA Announcements

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 check 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:

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:

• The US released the executive order for the announced tariffs on wood products and their derivatives (kitchen and bathroom cabinets) on September 29, 2025. It’s 10% on wood and 25% on kitchen cabinets and certain upholstered furniture. The rationale is, of course, national security. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/adjusting-imports-of-timber-lumber-and-thei…
• As it pertains to kitchen cabinetry and bathroom vanities it states:

“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 14^th. 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

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

To celebrate all things Canadian, the CKCA is pleased to present a new video that speaks to the value and culture of Canadian made cabinetry.

CKCA Canadian Made Press Release 2025

Why Buy Canadian Made? Click here»

Watch and share this video – Come on Canada – let’s make some noise!

CKCA held the Annual Meeting of Members on June 19, 2025.

Various business motions were passed along with the election of three candidates to the CKCA Board of Directors.

Please read press release here»

CKCA Local MeetUps – Nova Scotia – Northfield

Here’s what we’ve lined up so far for Nova Scotia this year and watch this space for future events!

Thanks to our MeetUp Champion for hosting!

Thanks to our Sponsor!

Share the news with others in the kitchen cabinet industry. Share this flyer.

Date/Location:

May 28, 2025 – P&L Furniture ( 1761 Northfield Road, Northfield, NS):

Registration here»

Agenda:

• 4:30 – 4:45 PM – Introductions and Welcome from CKCA, P&L Furniture, Future Doors
• 4:45 PM – Tour at P&L Furniture
• 5:30 – 6:30 PM – Themed discussion (Topic: Achieving Formaldehyde Free in Finishing – Presented by Edwin Dueck, P&L Furniture and McFaddens (Alcea Dealer) in Dartmouth. 
• 6:30 PM – Enjoy some food & refreshments 
• 6:00 – 8:00 PM – Discussions and networking.