August 2026

What Funding Is Available for Small Business Owners in Ontario Right Now

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Ontario Small Business Funding Programs 2026

Key Takeaways Starter Company Plus offers up to $5,000 in non-repayable funding plus mentoring for entrepreneurs starting, expanding, or buying a business. Summer Company gives young entrepreneurs (15–29) up to $3,000 to launch a summer business. Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs) across Ontario provide free advisory support, and are the delivery point for most provincial […]

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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,

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

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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

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How Ontario Manufacturers Can Access Tariff Relief Loans and Tax Credits

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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

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

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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

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Regional Tariff Response Initiative: Funding for Southern Ontario Businesses

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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