Waterloo Region & Guelph

MixedOntario program

Ontario Together Trade Fund

This fund helps Ontario businesses affected by U.S. tariffs invest in projects that open new Canadian markets, bring supply chains back to Ontario or protect jobs. Support is a grant or a loan, usually covering 10% to 20% of project costs. It's aimed at small and medium-sized businesses with at least 5 staff.

Amount
Typically 10% to 20% of eligible project costs, up to $5 million. Up to 75% only for projects with exceptional benefit to Ontario.
Status
Year-roundContinuous intake since April 23, 2025. The page gives no closing date and doesn't say how much funding is left.
Type
Grant or loan for tariff-hit businesses
Run by
Government of Ontario (Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade)
Where
All of Ontario
Checked on
Nov 13, 2026

Who it's for

  • For-profit businesses registered and operating in Ontario
  • At least 3 years of operations and financial statements
  • At least 5 full-time equivalent employees
  • A tariff impact, such as working in a targeted sector (steel, auto, aluminum), a big revenue hit, or supplying a customer replacing a U.S. supplier
  • A project of at least $200,000, finished within 2 years, with financing in place by the start date

Not for

  • Retail, hospitality (hotels and restaurants), personal services and consulting firms
  • Sole proprietors, not-for-profits and charities
  • Construction companies providing primary construction services
  • Ongoing operations, refinancing, acquisitions, or moving within Ontario
  • Electricity projects and waste management

What it covers

  • Facilities, equipment and machinery
  • One-time labour, materials and specialized expertise
  • Training, permits and fees
  • New market access, such as certification, labelling and testing

How to apply

  1. Complete the online self-assessment.
  2. If it says you may qualify, contact an Ontario advisor to review your project. This step is required.
  3. Register with Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON) with your legal business name and CRA Business Number.
  4. Work with your advisor to submit the application through TPON.

Good to know

  • Loans are interest-free during the project (up to 2 years), usually with 4 years to repay. Up to 30% may be forgiven, to a max of $1.5 million, if targets are met.
  • Loans need a signed agreement and security the province is satisfied with.
  • The page says support is a grant or a loan but doesn't explain how that's decided.
  • Applicants outside the rules may be considered case by case if the project has exceptional benefit to Ontario.
  • A completed application also gets you advisory help, whether or not you're funded.

Questions

Can a sole proprietor apply?

No. The official page lists sole proprietors as ineligible. You need to be a for-profit legal entity or limited partnership with at least 5 full-time equivalent staff.

Do I have to be in steel or auto?

No. Those are examples of targeted sectors. A significant revenue loss from tariffs, or supplying a customer who is replacing a U.S. supplier, can also count.

Is there a deadline?

The page says intake is continuous since April 23, 2025 and gives no closing date.

Related programs

Open, closes Jan 19, 2027Mixed

Indigenous Economic Development Fund

Not stated on the main page. The Economic Diversification Grant guide says up to $100,000 per fiscal year per applicant.

Government of Ontario (Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation)All of Ontario

Open, closes Jan 21, 2027Loan

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF)

Up to 15% of eligible project costs. Loans up to $5 million, interest-free during the project period (up to 4 years), with up to 30% (max $500,000) forgivable if targets are met. Grants only in limited cases: up to $500,000 for small rural firms, or $1.5 million for strategic projects.

Government of Ontario (Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade)All of Ontario