Trade and Tariff Resource Hub

Guelph Businesses, Take Our Survey

As we face impacts from U.S. Tariffs, the City of Guelph wants to hear from local businesses.

City of Guelph’s Response to New U.S. Tariffs and Trade Disruptions

The City of Guelph is closely monitoring ongoing developments related to international trade and tariff policies and their potential impacts on local businesses and workers. We are working with businesses, industry associations, and all levels of government to understand emerging challenges, share timely information, and support economic resilience in our community. As trade conditions evolve, the City remains committed to advocating for Guelph’s business community and connecting businesses with relevant resources and support programs.

The City Remains Committed to Supporting Local and Canadian Suppliers

• Currently, about 98.5 percent of all City purchases come from Canadian vendors. Of these purchases, 29 percent are sourced from businesses based out of Guelph.
• While we prioritize local suppliers, we recognize the complex nature of supply chains. Many products purchased by the City, even from Canadian suppliers, may contain components manufactured in the U.S. or elsewhere.
• We know that the interconnectedness between Canadian and global markets makes the impact of these tariffs particularly challenging.
• The City of Guelph understands the complexities of the situation and remains committed to working with all levels of government to advocate for the protection of local jobs and the economic well-being of Guelph and Canada as a whole.

For Residents

Shopping Canadian

If you are looking for resources on how to shift your household purchases to Canadian made products:

Support Local in Guelph

Consider supporting local businesses and encouraging your friends and family to do the same. Every local purchase helps strengthen our community and economy.

Reasons why shopping local is important.

For Businesses

To support Guelph-based businesses and workers during this time, please find below a list of resources to stay involved. Updates to this webpage will be ongoing as new information and support resources become available.

Want regular updates sent right to your inbox?

Sign up for the Invest in Guelph Mind Your Business e-newsletter to get the latest information about supports available and information for Guelph businesses.

Share Your Experience

Let us know how the tariffs are shaping your business to support the City’s advocacy efforts with our government and association partners.

Set up a meeting with an Economic Development Officer.

Don’t have time to meet? Send the Economic Development and Tourism team an email.

General Information and Resources

• Latest Canada-United States news from the Government of Canada
• Tariffs, rules and regulations
• Tariff Explainer – How tariffs work? what are retaliatory tariffs? Who pays for tariffs?
• Canada’s tariff responses to the changing global trade landscape
• Navigating Canada-U.S. tariff timeline

Tariff Funding Programs and Supports

Ontario Together Trade Fund

Helps Ontario businesses invest in growth, strengthen local supply chains, and access new domestic and interprovincial markets in response to U.S. trade disruptions. Priority is given to projects that improve competitiveness, support reshoring, and create or retain jobs in Ontario.

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)

The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) provides enhanced funding and liquidity support to help businesses respond to tariffs, strengthen competitiveness, diversify markets, and build resilient supply chains. Recent program expansions include up to $3 million in non-repayable funding and up to $2 million in liquidity assistance for eligible businesses.

Strategic Response Fund

Supports large-scale transformative projects and addresses key market gaps, positioning Canada’s industry to compete globally and build lasting resilience. The SRF provides investment in areas of strategic industrial advantage for Canada’s long-term economic resilience and industrial future.

Protect Ontario Financing Program

Provides repayable loans to Ontario businesses facing significant U.S. tariff-related disruptions, helping cover working capital needs such as payroll, lease payments, and utilities. Eligible businesses must operate in tariff-impacted sectors, have at least $2 million in annual revenue and 10 employees, and demonstrate financial challenges resulting from U.S. tariffs. Funding is available through term loans starting at $250,000, with flexible repayment options of up to six years.

Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility (LETL)

Offers financing to large Canadian businesses impacted by tariffs that face temporary liquidity challenges. The program is designed to help otherwise viable companies maintain operations and navigate trade-related economic disruptions.

Pivot to Grow Loan

Provides up to $5 million in financing to help Canadian businesses affected by U.S. tariffs maintain cash flow, invest in productivity, diversify markets, and strengthen supply chain resilience. The program supports both short-term liquidity needs and longer-term business transformation, including equipment purchases and strategic initiatives that improve competitiveness and reduce exposure to trade disruptions.

Trade Disruption Customer Support Program

Helps Canadian agriculture and food businesses manage the impacts of tariffs and market disruptions by providing flexible financing and cash flow support. Eligible customers can defer principal payments on existing loans, access additional credit of up to $500,000, and explore additional term financing to help maintain operations and adapt to changing trade conditions.

Tariff Remission Process

Provides eligible Canadian businesses with the opportunity to seek exemptions from certain counter-tariffs on U.S. goods where no reasonable alternative sourcing options exist or exceptional circumstances apply.

Commodities Sectoral Support Program

The Commodities Sectoral Support Program (CSSP) provides a 50% rebate on eligible rail and marine shipping costs for Canadian steel and steel products moving between provinces and territories. The program supports domestic market growth, stronger supply chains, and improved competitiveness for Canada’s steel industry.

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund

Provides financial support to businesses, municipalities, and not-for-profit organizations undertaking projects that drive economic growth in southwestern Ontario. The program supports investments that improve productivity, foster innovation, expand into new markets, create jobs, and generate broader regional economic benefits.

Regional Development Program: Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness Stream

The Regional Development Program: Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) Stream provides financial support to Ontario advanced manufacturing companies investing in capital equipment, technology adoption, and skills development to improve competitiveness and drive growth. The program supports projects that create jobs, encourage innovation, increase productivity, attract private-sector investment, and help businesses expand into new markets. Funding is available across Ontario for eligible companies in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, life sciences, ICT, chemicals, and steel.

Workforce Retention and Retraining Program (WRRP)

Is an employment support program that helps employers avoid layoffs during temporary downturns. Through an agreement with Service Canada, employees work reduced hours and receive Employment Insurance (EI) benefits to offset lost income, allowing businesses to retain skilled workers while they recover from reduced business activity.

Not sure which program is the best fit for your business? The City of Guelph Economic Development team can help assess available options and connect you directly with Provincial or Federal business advisors for program-specific guidance, eligibility discussions, and application support.

Upcoming Webinars and Information Sessions

• Regional Tariff Response Initiative Information Session – FedDev Ontario – September 24, 2026, 1:00 p.m.
• Winning IFI-Funded Projects – Focus on West & East African Energy – Government of Ontario and Global Affairs Canada – November 17, 2026, 9:00 a.m.
• Manufacturing: Supporting Growth & Competitiveness in Ontario, Guelph Chamber of Commerce – September 24, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
• New Exporters to Border States (NEBS), Province of Ontario, in partnership with the Trade Commissioner Service – September 29, 2026 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Navigating trade volatility in 2026 – On demand
• Key markets for strategic trade diversification – On demand
• Navigating tariffs and customs regulations – On demand
• Key markets for strategic trade diversification – On demand
• Guelph Business Support Roundtable: Connecting SMEs – On-demand

Resources From the Province of Ontario

• General information for businesses
• Funding Programs
  • Protect Ontario Financing Program

Resources From the Government of Canada

Global Affairs Canada

• Supporting Canadian exporters through United States tariff challenges
• Canada’s Trade Agreements
• Expand your business into new markets
• Doing business in the United States

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

• Programs and services to help your business grow
• Expert advisory service
• Tools, funding and resources

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

• Support for Canadian agriculture and agri-food industries impacted by trade disruptions

Local Start-up and Entrepreneurial Support

Business Centre Guelph-Wellington
Business Centre Guelph-Wellington provides the entry point for entrepreneurship in Guelph and Wellington County, helping individuals get into business for themselves. They support the growth and expansion of small businesses by offering a variety of workshops, resources and one-on-one advisory services.

Boundless Accelerator (formally known as Innovation Guelph)
Award-winning programs and initiatives to support businesses from startup to scaleup for a strong, diverse, inclusive, sustainable economy. Access with mentorship, resources, and connections.

Your Network: Industry Associations

The following Associations may represent your business and will be helpful to stay connected to for evolving advocacy and impacts to your industry.

• Automotive Industries Association of Canada
• Canadian Federation of Independant Business
• Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
• Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium
• Food and Beverage Ontario
• Food, Health and Consumer Products of Canada
• Ontario Federation of Agriculture
• Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA)
• Restaurants Canada
• Tourism Industry Association of Ontario

Employment Support Services

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) offers specialized employment support services for tailored for businesses and their employees. ESDC can support with accessing employment benefits (EI), work-sharing, workforce training, skills development, and career planning.

Jobs and employment Ontario
Resources for job seekers and employers in Ontario.

EmployNext
EmployNext is a locally responsive, outcomes-based employment services program generously funded by the Provincial Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development (MLITSD).