New $228M Government Fund

New $228M Government Fund for Ontario Businesses – Are You Eligible?

Toronto, ON – Mar 10, 2026

The Governments of Canada and Ontario have jointly announced a significant new funding initiative designed to support businesses and workers impacted by tariffs and global market shifts.

The Canada–Ontario Workforce Tariff Response will invest $228.8 million over the next three years to help Ontario employers retrain, upskill, and retain workers whose jobs have been affected by trade disruptions, supply chain changes, or evolving industry demands.

The program will support approximately 27,000 workers across Ontario and will be delivered through existing workforce programs such as Skills Advance Ontario, Employment Ontario, and the Canada–Ontario Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA).

This initiative is designed not only to support workers who have lost jobs due to tariffs, but also to help businesses prevent layoffs and transition their workforce into new opportunities.

How the Fund Works

The program provides financial support for employer-led training initiatives and workforce transition programs. Funding may support:

• Workforce upskilling and retraining
• Layoff prevention and employee retention programs
• Training during federal Work-Sharing agreements
• Transitioning workers into new roles or industries
• Sector-based training partnerships with colleges or training organizations

Funding can cover training development, instructional costs, employee participation during training, and other workforce development expenses.

Eligible Businesses and Sectors

The program prioritizes sectors directly or indirectly impacted by tariffs or supply chain disruptions, including:

• Automotive and automotive supply chain companies
• Steel and metals manufacturing
• Forestry and softwood lumber industries
• Advanced manufacturing and industrial suppliers
• Industrial technology and equipment manufacturers

Businesses operating within these sectors—or companies whose supply chains depend on them—may qualify for funding.

Additionally, employers seeking to retrain workers for emerging sectors such as skilled trades, clean energy, infrastructure, and health care support industries may also be eligible.

Application Process and Timeline

Applications are being accepted immediately through the Skills Advance Ontario program and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Projects are typically submitted by:

• Employers or employer consortia
• Industry associations
• Workforce training organizations
• Colleges or training providers working in partnership with employers

Because funding approvals depend on project quality and workforce impact, organizations that prepare strong applications early are more likely to secure support.

How GTA Strategies Can Help

GTA Strategies works closely with businesses, industry associations, and governments to help organizations successfully access government programs and funding opportunities.

Our team can assist your organization by:

• Assessing eligibility for this and other workforce funding programs
• Preparing and submitting funding applications
• Engaging with provincial and federal officials to support project approvals

Our objective is to ensure your company maximizes available government support while strengthening your workforce and competitiveness in a changing global economy.

If your organization believes it may benefit from this program, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can assist.

Please feel free to contact us to arrange a brief discussion.