‘We’ll do whatever it takes to protect Ontario jobs as we continue delivering on our plan to build the most competitive economy in the G7’
HR professionals in tariff-exposed sectors in Ontario can now take advantage of expanded support from the provincial government as it widens eligibility for two financial support programs to help employers keep workers on the job amid new tariffs from the United States.
The Ontario government announced that it is expanding eligibility under the Protect Ontario Financing Program (POFP) and the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) in response to the U.S. government’s "most recent actions targeting Ontario workers and businesses."
The $1-billion POFP provides loans that can be used for payroll, lease payments and utilities, costs that directly affect an employer's ability to retain staff during trade disruptions. The $150-million OTTF offers grants or loans to small and medium-sized businesses to expand interprovincial trade and reshore supply chains away from the United States.
The Ontario government said eligibility under both programs will keep expanding as further U.S. trade actions against Canadian products take effect, meaning more employers, and their workforces, could qualify for support in the coming weeks.
U.S. trade actions driving response
On Sept. 8, the U.S. government outlined new measures against Canadian exports, including additional 50% tariffs set to take effect Sept. 15. Import bans on Canadian alcohol, dairy products and motorcycles follow on Sept. 29.
Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, said: "Ontario will not back down in our fight to protect our workers and businesses from tariffs and economic uncertainty. In the face of President Trump's latest economic attacks, we are helping businesses keep workers on the job and building an economy that can stand up to anything that comes our way for decades to come."
Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance, said the province's response extends well beyond the two programs.
"Our government is delivering nearly $30 billion in support for tariff-impacted workers and businesses, providing critical support so we can protect workers and communities," he said. "We'll do whatever it takes to protect Ontario jobs."
Earlier this year, Canada entered a technical recession, and falling worker financial confidence and a wave of business closures are driving down workplace performance and straining employers' ability to retain staff, said one expert.
Longer-term economic plans
The Ontario government also pointed to longer-term initiatives meant to reduce reliance on U.S. trade, including critical minerals development in the Ring of Fire, nuclear expansion at the Darlington, Pickering and Bruce stations, and a $236 billion infrastructure plan covering highways, hospitals and transit.
The Ring of Fire development alone could add 70,000 jobs and $22 billion to Ontario's economy, according to the release, while nuclear expansion could contribute 150,000 jobs and $800 billion in GDP over the long term.
For HR teams in skilled trades, engineering and construction, these projects signal future hiring demand that may warrant early recruitment planning.
According to the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) – the province's independent legislative watchdog – US tariffs would result in 68,100 fewer jobs in Ontario in 2025 and 119,200 fewer jobs in 2026 compared with a no-tariff scenario, rising to 137,900 fewer jobs by 2029. Manufacturing employment was projected to be hit hardest, with 57,700 fewer jobs (down 6.8 per cent) in 2026, with knock-on effects in trade, transport and professional services that supply manufacturers.
In July, the federal government announced $2 billion in new funding for provinces and territories to expand skilled trades training, a commitment HR professionals should watch closely given projections of a shortfall of more than 1.4 million trades workers by 2033, according to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
