Ford Widens Access to Tariff Relief
Ottawa businesses feeling the squeeze from U.S. tariffs just got more options for provincial help. Premier Doug Ford announced expanded eligibility for tariff support programs on Thursday, September 10, 2026, in a speech to the Toronto Region Board of Trade.
The Two Programs
The expanded eligibility applies to two existing programs. The first is the $1-billion Protect Ontario Financing Program (POFP), which provides loans to businesses facing tariff-related pressures for costs like payroll, lease payments and utilities. The second is the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF), which gives grants or loans to small and medium-sized businesses looking to expand interprovincial trade and cut their reliance on U.S. supply chains.
The rollout will happen in phases, tied to when corresponding U.S. trade measures actually take effect. The first phase of expanded eligibility begins September 15, 2026.
Why the Timing Matters
The expansion is a direct response to a fresh round of U.S. tariff measures set to take effect around September 17, 2026. Those include outright bans on Canadian alcohol, motorcycles, whey, cheese and molasses, plus additional 50 percent tariffs on steel, aluminum products, dairy, specialty cheese, mattresses, furniture and paper products.
"Our government is going to do whatever it takes to protect workers and businesses from President Trump," Ford told the crowd. Toronto Region Board of Trade CEO Giles Gherson framed the stakes bluntly, calling Ontario "the country's economic flywheel" and warning it's "in the crosshairs" of the trade dispute.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has already responded to the latest round of U.S. tariff actions with dollar-for-dollar countertariffs totalling $28 billion on U.S. imports, a move Ford endorsed.
Why It Matters Here
Wider access to POFP loans or OTTF grants gives those employers a place to turn for payroll and lease help, or funding to pivot toward interprovincial buyers instead of the U.S. market.
The phased approach means Ottawa businesses in sectors not yet directly hit by the September 17 tariffs may have to wait for a later phase to qualify, so it's worth watching which goods and services trigger each expansion.
What Led Here
This is the latest move in a trade fight that's been escalating for weeks. Ontario's Science Centre recently cut 31 jobs amid broader budget pressure, and ottown's earlier report noted Canada isn't alone in this fight, Mexico is negotiating its own tariff relief with Washington at the same time.
Ottawa businesses that think they may qualify for POFP or OTTF funding should watch for further details as the September 15 phase-in begins.
Sources: The Globe and Mail, Canadian Press (via Yahoo Finance)
