{"data":{"cache":"2026-08-21 20:16:38","id":1007870,"previous_administration_flag":0,"assets":null,"contacts_custom":null,"contacts_default":null,"contacts":"

Hannah Jensen<\/span><\/strong>
Premier\u2019s Office<\/span>
Hannah.Jensen2@ontario.ca<\/span><\/a><\/p>

Evan Robinson<\/span><\/strong>
Minister Fedeli\u2019s Office<\/span>
Evan.Robinson@ontario.ca<\/span><\/a><\/p>

Media Relations<\/strong>
Communications Branch<\/span>
economy.media@ontario.ca<\/span><\/a><\/p>","content_title":"Ontario Investing over $1.1 Million to Protect Workers in Waterloo Region from Tariffs","clean_title":"Ontario Investing over $1.1 Million to Protect Workers in Waterloo Region from Tariffs","content_subtitle":"Provincial funding will protect 1,230 good-paying local jobs and support economic growth by helping companies diversify into new markets","content_lead":"

WATERLOO<\/strong> \u2014 The Ontario government is protecting tariff-impacted workers and industries in Waterloo Region with an investment of over $1.1 million through the <\/span>Trade-Impacted Communities Program<\/span><\/a> (TICP). The funding will support two local projects focused on diversifying export markets and reducing reliance on U.S. trade, helping protect 1,230 good-paying jobs in the region, strengthening local supply chains and building long-term economic resilience. In the face of economic uncertainty, the $40 million TICP initiative is a tactical tool the government launched last year to protect good-paying jobs and build resilient, self-reliant communities across the province.<\/span><\/p>","content_body":"

\u201cWith the threat of new U.S. tariffs \u2014 including on goods covered by the Canada-United States-<\/span>Mexico Agreement \u2014 our government is taking action to protect Ontario workers and jobs,\u201d said Premier Doug Ford. \u201cToday\u2019s investment is part of our plan to double down on Waterloo Region\u2019s world-class companies in manufacturing, defence, health care and more, so we can meet whatever challenges that come our way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The Regional Municipality of Waterloo will invest over $1.3 million into the Waterloo Region Aviation, Aerospace and Defence (AeroWR) Strategic Growth Initiative. As critical pillars of the local economy, these sectors are reliant on manufacturing exports that are key to Canada's aerospace supply chain. This project will create 50 new good-paying jobs and support 1,000 existing positions by helping these sectors identify market gaps, diversify export markets and strengthen local manufacturing, while positioning the region as a globally competitive hub for aerospace and defence investment. To support this investment, Ontario is providing $838,700 in funding.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

The City of Waterloo will invest $600,000 into Waterloo Health Innovation Economic Development <\/span>\u2014 Building an Export-ready Health Tech Sector. This accelerator program will create 120 new good-paying jobs and support 60 existing positions by helping the sector reduce reliance on U.S. markets by leveraging the city\u2019s innovative IP-based, export-ready companies to diversify into new interprovincial and international markets. In addition, the program will help companies innovate, scale and build resilient business models that can withstand ongoing trade disruptions. To support this investment, Ontario is providing $270,000 in funding. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cIn the face of unprecedented global economic uncertainty, our government is equipping communities across the province with the tools they need to ensure their local economies remain resilient today and competitive in the future,\u201d said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. \u201cThese investments will help local businesses diversify their export markets, strengthen our supply chains and build the kind of resilience that will keep Ontario\u2019s economy strong for years to come.\u201d<\/p>

First announced as part of Ontario's nearly $30 billion tariff relief and support plan, TICP aims to enhance the economic resilience of communities being disproportionately impacted by global trade disruptions. This program helps strengthen and diversify supply chains in priority sectors across the province, while increasing export and investment opportunities to reduce reliance on U.S. markets.<\/p>

As Ontario continues to navigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs and global economic uncertainty, the government remains focused on lowering taxes, cutting red tape and making the strategic investments necessary to build the most self-reliant and competitive economy in the G7.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>","default_contacts_included_flag":null,"keywords":"","language":"en","media_assets":null,"lead_ministry":{"id":216,"ministries_timeframes_id":6,"acronym":"OPO","acronym_fr":"CPM","featured_story_boost":1179136,"name":"Premier's Office","name_abbreviated":"Office of the Premier","name_fr":"Cabinet du premier ministre","name_fr_abbreviated":"Cabinet du premier ministre","created_at":"2025-03-19T20:25:44.000000Z","deleted_at":null,"updated_at":"2025-03-19T20:25:44.000000Z","pivot":{"release_id":1007870,"ministry_id":216,"lead_ministry_flag":1}},"partner_ministries":[{"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":1007870,"ministry_id":226,"lead_ministry_flag":0}}],"ministry_acronym_opposite":"cpm","ministry_id":216,"ministry_acronym":"OPO","ministry_name":"Premier's Office","ministry_abbreviated":"Office of the Premier","preview_expires":null,"quickfacts":"