Ontario Investing over $1.1 Million to Protect Workers in Waterloo Region from Tariffs

Provincial funding will protect 1,230 good-paying local jobs and support economic growth by helping companies diversify into new markets

WATERLOO — The Ontario government is protecting tariff-impacted workers and industries in Waterloo Region with an investment of over $1.1 million through the Trade-Impacted Communities Program (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.

“With the threat of new U.S. tariffs — including on goods covered by the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement — our government is taking action to protect Ontario workers and jobs,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Today’s investment is part of our plan to double down on Waterloo Region’s world-class companies in manufacturing, defence, health care and more, so we can meet whatever challenges that come our way.”

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.

The City of Waterloo will invest $600,000 into Waterloo Health Innovation Economic Development — 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’s 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.

“Our local businesses have the talent and expertise to compete anywhere. This investment will help them grow, reach new customers and build a stronger, more resilient economy right here in Waterloo Region,” said Jess Dixon, MPP for Kitchener South-Hespeler.

“In 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,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “These investments will help local businesses diversify their export markets, strengthen our supply chains and build the kind of resilience that will keep Ontario’s economy strong for years to come.”

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.

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.

Quick Facts

  • The $40 million Trade-Impacted Communities Program is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, which focuses on ensuring long-term economic stability and growth while reshoring and strengthening supply chains.
  • Helping combat economic challenges from U.S. trade disruptions, TICP funds community-level projects that build economic resilience, diversify supply chains and foster new trade partnerships.
  • The program is open to municipal governments, economic development organizations, sector and industry associations, business accelerators and incubators.

Quotes

“One of my responsibilities as MPP for Cambridge is meeting with local manufacturers across Cambridge and North Dumfries to better understand their contributions to our community and how I can best advocate for them. In recent months, U.S. tariffs have become the focus of nearly every conversation. Our government has taken a strong stand to support Ontario’s manufacturers and I am pleased to see Premier Ford and Minister Fedeli continuing to stand behind the businesses and workers who drive our local economy.”

– Brian Riddell
MPP, Cambridge

“Waterloo Region is home to strong and growing health technology and aerospace sectors. By investing in these key industries, we’re helping local companies reach new international markets, attract new investment to our region and reduce our reliance on U.S. trade. These investments will help build the kind of resilience that will keep Waterloo Region’s economy strong for years to come, while helping drive Ontario forward as we build one of the strongest, most competitive and self-reliant economies in the G7.”

– Mike Harris
MPP, Kitchener—Conestoga

“This funding is a vital investment in the future of our community. By supporting AeroWR, our collaborative, strategic initiative to strengthen and grow Waterloo Region’s aviation, aerospace and defence sector, we are directly empowering our local supply chain and advanced manufacturing network. Our region is uniquely positioned to lead the future of flight and this support ensures we continue to create high-quality jobs, drive innovation and build a globally competitive ecosystem right here at home.”

– Karen Redman
Chair, Region of Waterloo

“Waterloo is home to world-class innovators and this investment will help them reach new markets and opportunities connected to the new hospital to be built in Waterloo. We thank the Government of Ontario and the Accelerator Centre for collaborating to strengthen our health tech sector and to create future jobs and growth.”

– Dorothy McCabe
Mayor, City of Waterloo

Additional Resources

Media Contacts

Hannah Jensen
Premier’s Office
Hannah.Jensen2@ontario.ca

Evan Robinson
Minister Fedeli’s Office
Evan.Robinson@ontario.ca

Media Relations
Communications Branch
economy.media@ontario.ca