Trade and tariff resources

You may be eligible if you own a business in Waterloo.

To receive campaign materials, you must:

• have a business address in Waterloo, Ontario
• have a physical location in Waterloo (required for some print materials)

• City of Waterloo Economic Development Office – Work with our team to explore trade programs, investment support, and business expansion strategies. 
• Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Trade Services – Access advocacy, trade certification, and business support services, including networking opportunities and market entry strategies for exporters.
• Additional resources and webinars around the topic of tariffs can be found on the Chamber’s ChamberCheck.ca webpage.
• Explore Waterloo Region – Explore local restaurants, attractions, shops, and events, including blogs and guides for shopping local.
• Uptown Waterloo BIA Directory - Focused specifically on the Uptown core, discover local shops, cafes, professional services, and more.
• Waterloo EDC Business Directory – From major global firms to innovative local startups, discover and connect with the businesses that are supporting our local economy.
• Waterloo Chronicle Business Directory – Promotes businesses in the community, often with special spotlights or features.
• Ontario Made Directory - Explore a list of products and services made in Ontario.
• Canada Made Directory - Explore a list of products and services made in Canada.
• Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing - TrilliumGIS – Explore this advanced manufacturing sector asset and ecosystem map that contains information about more than 12,000 manufacturing establishments and 250 ecosystem partners in Ontario.

The Government of Ontario Regional Development Program - Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) Stream, provides financial support to advanced manufacturing companies with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises across Ontario. Eligible companies can get support to make investments in technology, equipment or skills to improve your competitiveness.

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) provides expert advice and financing solutions to help Canadian businesses make smart, considered decisions to help you succeed and mitigate risks when dealing with the impacts of tariffs.

Large Enterprise Tariff Loan (LETL) is a new financing facility announced by the Government of Canada to provide financing support for large Canadian enterprises affected by actual and potential new tariffs and countermeasures and which face challenges accessing traditional sources of market financing.

The Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) provides financial support to help businesses near-term investments so they can serve more interprovincial customers, develop new markets and re-shore critical supply chains in the face of U.S. tariffs. Projects must address the impacts of U.S. trade disruptions and align with Ontario’s key economic priorities, including trade diversity and trade security.

Protect Ontario Financing Program is designed to provide critical support for businesses that are facing significant tariff-related disruptions as a result of s.232 tariffs on steel, aluminum and autos. This fund will provide immediate relief for Ontario businesses that are facing s.232 tariff-related working capital challenges, such as payroll, lease and utility payments.

Learn more on the Ontario.ca web page

The Government of Ontario Southwestern Ontario Development Fund provides support for projects and investments to growing companies for economic development in southwestern Ontario.

Strategic Response Fund (SRF) helps Canadian industries innovate, adapt and compete in a changing global economy. The SRF supports large-scale, transformative projects that build economic resilience, strengthen supply chains and protect good jobs in key sectors such as steel, aluminum, automotive, forest products, AI and advanced technologies. 

The Regional Tariff Initiative (RTRI) provides $1 billion over 3 years to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and sectors impacted by tariffs, strengthening the competitiveness of Canadian businesses by helping them boost productivity, cut costs, build more resilient supply chains and reach new markets. Funding up to $10 million in repayable funding and up to $1 million in non-repayable funding.

To support businesses, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA):

• deferred GST/HST remittances and corporate income tax payments from April 2 to June 30, 2025
• waived interest on GST/HST and T2 instalment and arrears payments that were required to be paid between April 2 and June 30, 2025
• provided interest relief on existing GST/HST and T2 balances between April 2 and June 30, 2025

The Government of Canada Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentives program is eligible to businesses who are engaged in scientific research and experimental development, where you may be able to earn tax incentives that reduce your income tax payable.

Accelerated Investment Incentive and Immediate Expensing to boost productivity and attract investment, this new government is introducing a Productivity Super-Deduction—a set of enhanced tax incentives covering all new capital investment that allows businesses to write off a larger share of the cost of these investments right away. These will also make it easier for businesses to invest and grow.

Read Chapter 1: Building a stronger Canadian economy | Budget 2025

Access international markets, and get support with advisory services, funding, accelerator programs and tailored support at trade events. 

With a presence in more than 160 cities worldwide, the Trade Commissioner Service can help you do business with the world. 

Export Development Canada offers a range of services to help companies export and access new markets, including:

• market intelligence
• expert advisors
• trade credit insurance
• solutions to mitigate currency exchange fluctuations
• access to working capital

The Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream offers funding to organizations for innovative projects that address challenges to hiring, training, or retaining workers, including apprentices, to drive Ontario's economic growth.

Employment and Social Development Canada Work-Share Program provides work-sharing special measures to support businesses affected by tariffs.