MPP Clark Announces Agreement to Unlock Economic Growth and Job Creation in Edwardsburgh Cardinal

April 27, 2026

Project will create over 150 new jobs in the local community and support economic development across the region

SPENCERVILLE — Today, Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes joined Acting Infrastructure Minister Todd McCarthy and Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal council to announce the transfer of government surplus lands that will unlock new opportunities for growth and job creation in the community.

The government of Ontario is supporting the township by selling just under 2,500 acres of surplus land to help HFI Pyrotechnics, a 150-year-old local defence manufacturer, expand its operations and create over 150 new jobs. HFI Pyrotechnics, has been an anchor employer in the community for over 40 years.

“Today’s announcement is the result of years of advocacy by Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal council, staff, and me with our government and demonstrates why we’ve worked so hard to unlock the Edwardsburgh Land Bank,” said MPP Clark. “These almost 2,500 acres are now property of HFI Pyrotechnics and will ensure the company can expand to grow our local economy and produce critical supplies for Canada’s Armed Forces. I want to thank Ministers Surma and McCarthy for their support and congratulate everyone involved.”

The investment in the HFI Pyrotechnics plant expansion will also help bring new commercial assessments, that will strengthen local revenues.

“Today’s announcement marks a major milestone in our council’s commitment to ensuring Edwardsburgh-Cardinal remains the industrial and economic driver for Eastern Ontario. Returning this land to productive public use is a tremendous achievement, one built on years of determination, strategic planning, and a clear vision for growth,” said Mayor Tory Deschamps. “It builds on the work of past councils and reinforces our responsibility to protect and strengthen opportunity in this region for generations to come. Council is incredibly proud of yet another defining moment in the township’s history. Residents can expect a further announcement in the coming months regarding the remainder of the land bank lands.”

HFI Pyrotechnics is advancing plans for a $2.6 million plant expansion to help support its work for the Department of National Defence. Once complete, the expansion will increase the number of high-skilled jobs in the township and Eastern Ontario.

“This land purchase not only secured the business that we are today, and the jobs of over 120 people, but also increased our footprint to contribute to Canadian defence,” said Rhiannon Iles, President of HFI Pyrotechnics Inc. “This could not have happened without the support, advocacy, and leadership of Edwardsburgh Cardinal Township, our ownership group, CIEL Capital, and our MPP, Steve Clark. The HFI employees and I are extremely grateful.”

Since 2018, the Ontario government has optimized the process for selling surplus government properties, ensuring these assets are leveraged to advance core priorities such as economic development, housing, and long-term care.

“Our government is leveraging surplus, unused government lands to protect the things that matter most to Ontarians: jobs and economic growth,” said Acting Infrastructure Minister McCarthy. “By unlocking surplus government lands, we’re turning underused assets into good‑paying jobs, strengthening domestic industries and supply chains, and giving communities the tools they need to grow and compete. This is all part of our plan to protect communities by helping them withstand global uncertainty, including U.S. tariffs, while keeping investment, production, and well‑paying jobs rooted in Ontario.”