August 2026

Ontario Tariff Relief: Grants vs. Loans — Which Is Right for Your Business?

Ontario Tariff Relief Grants Vs Loans

Key Takeaways Loans (repayable) suit businesses with a clear ability to repay who need capital now — for cash flow, equipment, or expansion. Grants and non-repayable contributions suit businesses making structural changes, like market diversification or reshoring, where the province wants to share the risk. Some programs, like the Ontario Together Trade Fund, blend both […]

Ontario Tariff Relief: Grants vs. Loans — Which Is Right for Your Business? Read More »

Keeping Employees During a Trade Slowdown: Ontario’s Work-Sharing and Retention Programs

Ontario Work Sharing Worker Retention Grant Guide

Key Takeaways The EI Work-Sharing Program lets employers reduce hours instead of laying off staff, with employees receiving EI benefits to offset the wage gap. Special tariff measures extend agreements to a maximum of 76 weeks (up from 38) and are now in effect until March 31, 2027. The new Worker Retention Grant tops up

Keeping Employees During a Trade Slowdown: Ontario’s Work-Sharing and Retention Programs Read More »

BDC Pivot to Grow Program: Working Capital Loans for Tariff-Affected Ontario Businesses

Bdc Pivot To Grow Program Working Capital Loans For Tariff Affected Ontario Businesses

Key Takeaways The Pivot to Grow Program offers up to $5 million in financing from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to help businesses manage U.S. tariff impacts. It’s split into two streams: Liquidity Support (cash flow) and Pivot Support (longer-term adaptation), each with different requirements. Baseline eligibility includes $1 million+ in annual revenue,

BDC Pivot to Grow Program: Working Capital Loans for Tariff-Affected Ontario Businesses Read More »

Duties Relief and Drawback Programs: How Ontario Importers Can Recover Tariff Costs

Duties Relief Drawback Ontario Importers Guide

Key Takeaways The Duties Relief Program (DRP) lets qualifying businesses import goods without paying duties, as long as those goods are eventually exported. The Drawback Program works differently — you pay duties upfront, then apply for a refund once the goods are exported or destroyed. Both programs are administered federally by the Canada Border Services

Duties Relief and Drawback Programs: How Ontario Importers Can Recover Tariff Costs Read More »

How Ontario Manufacturers Can Access Tariff Relief Loans and Tax Credits

Ontario Manufacturers Tariff Relief Loans Tax Credits

Key Takeaways Ontario manufacturers can combine loan-based liquidity support with the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit (OMMITC) — a refundable tax credit worth up to 15%. OMMITC offers up to $3 million per year in refundable credits on manufacturing buildings, machinery, and equipment investments. The credit is stackable with SR&ED and most other federal

How Ontario Manufacturers Can Access Tariff Relief Loans and Tax Credits Read More »

Steel, Aluminum and Auto Sector Support in Ontario: What Tariff-Impacted Businesses Need to Know

Ontario Steel Aluminum Auto Sector Tariff Support

Key Takeaways Ontario’s steel, aluminum, and auto sectors are the most directly targeted by U.S. Section 232 tariffs, and now also face newer Section 338 measures. A new $1 billion federal BDC loan program launched in 2026 specifically for businesses that manufacture, export, or heavily use steel, aluminum, or copper. The Regional Tariff Response Initiative

Steel, Aluminum and Auto Sector Support in Ontario: What Tariff-Impacted Businesses Need to Know Read More »

Regional Tariff Response Initiative: Funding for Southern Ontario Businesses

Regional Tariff Response Initiative Southern Ontario Funding Guide

Key Takeaways The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) offers repayable funding up to $10 million or non-repayable funding up to $1 million for southern Ontario businesses. This is a federal program delivered through FedDev Ontario — separate from provincial programs like POFP or the Ontario Together Trade Fund. Businesses must have at least 5 full-time

Regional Tariff Response Initiative: Funding for Southern Ontario Businesses Read More »

Ontario Together Trade Fund: How Small Businesses Can Get Up to $5 Million

Ontario Together Trade Fund Eligibility How To Apply

Key Takeaways The Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) offers grants or interest-free loans of up to $5 million to help SMEs adapt to U.S. tariff disruptions. Most approved projects receive 10–20% of eligible costs; the maximum 75% is reserved for projects with exceptional benefit to Ontario. Applicants need at least 3 years of operating history

Ontario Together Trade Fund: How Small Businesses Can Get Up to $5 Million Read More »

Ontario Small Business Tariff Relief 2026: The Complete Guide to Loans and Grants

Ontario Small Business Tariff Relief 2026 Guide

Key Takeaways Ontario has expanded the Protect Ontario Financing Program (POFP) to offer up to $1 billion in loans for businesses hit by new U.S. Section 338 tariffs. Federal programs like the Regional Tariff Response Initiative and BDC Pivot to Grow offer both repayable and non-repayable funding for SMEs. Manufacturing, steel, aluminum, and auto-related businesses

Ontario Small Business Tariff Relief 2026: The Complete Guide to Loans and Grants Read More »

Protect Ontario Financing Program Explained: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

Protect Ontario Financing Program Eligibility How To Apply

Key Takeaways The Protect Ontario Financing Program (POFP) offers term loans from $250,000 up to $40 million to help cover payroll, lease, and utility costs. Eligibility now covers both Section 232 tariffs (steel, aluminum, copper, autos) and the newer Section 338 tariffs (a broader list including machinery, plastics, beverages, paper, furniture, and more). Businesses need

Protect Ontario Financing Program Explained: Who Qualifies and How to Apply Read More »

Scroll to Top