{"data":[{"cache":"2026-10-26 07:51:45","ministry_boost":2.7758283763326026,"freshness_boost":-1.7982291666666668,"curated_boost":11.689636574074,"score":12.667235783739935,"id":1008060,"content_body":"

TORONTO \u2014 In response to the United States government\u2019s latest import ban on Canadian alcohol, dairy products and motorcycles, the Ontario government is expanding eligibility under the Protect Ontario Financing Program<\/a> (POFP) to these sectors to protect impacted workers and businesses. The expansion reflects the government\u2019s adaptive approach towards ongoing U.S. trade actions, ensuring businesses are equipped with the capital support needed to withstand mounting operational pressures, keep workers on the job and reshore supply chains. The POFP continues to support businesses still subject to existing section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, copper and automotives, as well as a broad range of goods previously tariffed under the section 338.<\/p>

\u201cAs the U.S. administration continues to threaten Ontario\u2019s leading industries, our government remains steadfast in its commitment to protect the economy, defend our workers and lay the foundation for a strong and stable future,\u201d said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. \u201cBy broadening eligibility for our relief programs, we\u2019re ensuring Ontario businesses are not only equipped to navigate the challenges of present day but can take the necessary steps to reduce long-term reliance on a single market and diversify their international exports.\u201d<\/p>

The U.S. import ban builds on a series of punitive trade actions levied by the U.S. government against Canadian exports, including an additional 50 per cent tariff on a range of products that took effect on September 15. The Ontario government took immediate action to broaden the eligibility of the province\u2019s trade programs, allowing newly affected businesses to access immediate supports in the form of loans and grants that would help them diversify into new markets and reshore supply chains away from the U.S.<\/p>

The $1 billion POFP provides immediate relief for Ontario businesses impacted by tariffs and trade disruptions by providing loans that can be used for costs such as payroll, lease payments and utilities.<\/p>

The government is also expanding eligibility under the Ontario Together Trade Fund<\/a> (OTTF). The $150 million OTTF provides grants or loans to small and medium-sized Ontario businesses to help them expand interprovincial trade and reshore supply chains away from the U.S.<\/p>

\u201cOur government is taking decisive action to protect Ontario workers, businesses and communities from ongoing U.S. trade actions that are taking direct aim at our economy,\u201d said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. \u201cBy diversifying exports, unlocking free trade within Canada and providing targeted supports for trade-impacted sectors, we are strengthening Ontario\u2019s economic resilience and competitiveness. These measures are helping businesses adapt, attract investment and create good-paying jobs, while ensuring Ontario remains well-positioned to navigate global uncertainty and seize new opportunities for long-term growth.\u201d<\/p>

As part of its plan to protect Ontario, the government continues to adapt and use all available tools to mitigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs, including retaliatory restrictions on U.S. alcohol and procurement, while leading on the efforts to expand trade within Canada. Earlier this year, Ontario co-led a historic operating agreement<\/a> between eight other provinces to allow direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales of alcoholic beverages between their individual jurisdictions for personal use. The expansion of DTC marked the removal of a major trade barrier within Canada, setting forward a path for a more open and united national economy.<\/p>

The Ontario government is also facilitating opportunities for impacted businesses to unlock new trade links and expand their export reach beyond the U.S. market through targeted trade missions. The province led over 60 targeted export missions in 2025, with 2026 projected to see nearly 70 additional export missions by year\u2019s end. <\/em>Efforts to diversify Ontario\u2019s trade has seen significant success as global demand for Ontario-made goods continues to grow.<\/p>

As Ontario continues to navigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs and global economic uncertainty, the government remains focused on delivering critical funding, cutting red tape and positioning the economy to be the most competitive, resilient and self-reliant in the G7.<\/p>","content_lead":null,"content_title":"Ontario Protecting Workers and Businesses From Latest U.S. Trade Actions","language":"en","ministry_acronym_opposite":"mdecec","ministry_id":226,"ministry_acronym":"MEDJCT","ministry_name":"Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade","ministry_abbreviated":"Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade","lead_ministry":{"id":226,"ministries_timeframes_id":6,"acronym":"MEDJCT","acronym_fr":"MDECEC","featured_story_boost":163349,"name":"Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade","name_abbreviated":"Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade","name_fr":"Minist\u00e8re du D\u00e9veloppement \u00e9conomique, de la Cr\u00e9ation d'emplois et du Commerce","name_fr_abbreviated":"D\u00e9veloppement \u00e9conomique, Cr\u00e9ation d'emplois et Commerce","created_at":"2025-03-19T20:25:44.000000Z","deleted_at":null,"updated_at":"2025-03-19T20:25:44.000000Z","pivot":{"release_id":1008060,"ministry_id":226,"lead_ministry_flag":1}},"partner_ministries":[],"release_date_time":"2026-09-29 08:30:00","release_date_time_formatted":"September 29, 2026","release_id_translated":1008060,"release_type_id":2001,"release_type_name":"News Release","release_type_label":"release","slug":"ontario-protecting-workers-and-businesses-from-latest-us-trade-actions","status_type_id":3002,"unformatted_slug":"ontario_protecting_workers_and_businesses_from_latest_us_trade_actions","unformatted_slug_translated":""},{"cache":"2026-10-26 07:51:45","ministry_boost":10,"freshness_boost":-0.2565625,"curated_boost":0,"score":9.7434375,"id":1008176,"content_body":"

TORONTO<\/span><\/strong> \u2014 <\/span>Today, Premier Doug Ford unveiled his updated team of parliamentary assistants, who will take on the critical work of supporting cabinet and delivering on the government\u2019s ambitious plan to protect Ontario from President Trump\u2019s tariffs while building the most competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy in the G7.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI\u2019m pleased to announce Ontario\u2019s new and returning team of parliamentary assistants, who are working hard to deliver on our plan to protect Ontario,\u201d said Premier Ford. \u201cWe have the right team in place in cabinet and across government to achieve our goal of building the most competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy in the G7, so we can protect workers and families in every corner of the province.\u201d<\/p>

Below is the complete list of parliamentary assistants:<\/p>