Canada $26 Million Business Funding will help 31 Greater Toronto Area businesses tackle tariff pressures, expand production and explore new markets
(By Tasneem Zaki)
BRAMPTON,Ontario: The federal government of Canada has announced nearly $26 million in funding for 31 businesses and organizations across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to help them address tariff pressures, expand production and explore new domestic and international markets.
The announcement was made on October 2 in Brampton by Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), alongside Shafqat Ali, President of the Treasury Board of Canada and Member of Parliament for Brampton—Chinguacousy Park.
The funding is being provided through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), which supports businesses seeking to improve productivity, adopt new technologies, strengthen supply chains and diversify their markets amid changing international trade conditions.
Solomon said tariffs were creating significant challenges for businesses and workers across the Greater Toronto Area. He added that the funding would help local companies invest in Canadian production, improve competitiveness and reach new customers.
Ali said supporting local businesses was essential to strengthening communities and creating economic opportunities for workers and families throughout the region.
Brampton Manufacturer Among Major Funding Recipients
Daybar Industries Limited, a Brampton-based manufacturer of commercial and industrial steel doors and frames, is among the recipients. The company is undertaking a project valued at more than $12 million, with FedDev Ontario contributing $700,000 to help expand production capacity and develop new markets.
The 31 recipients represent a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, food production, technology, automation, steel fabrication, digital production and tourism.
Other recipients include APS Metal Industries, Axiom Plastics, Barocco Coffee, Brannon Steel, Brentwood Classics, Canada Smoked Fish, Cesaroni Technology, Exco Engineering, Future Steel Buildings, ICON Digital Productions, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Ontario, PakFactory, Pulp Moulded Products, Rapid Aid, Ricci Food Group, SinaLite and Technical Steel.
The investments are intended to help businesses strengthen operations, improve efficiency and respond to challenges arising from tariffs and shifting global trade conditions.
Federal Government Expands Tariff Support
The latest announcement follows an additional $1.5 billion allocation to the Regional Tariff Response Initiative announced by the federal government in August. The increase brought the total investment delivered nationally through Canada’s regional development agencies to $3.45 billion.
Under the expanded program, eligible businesses may access up to $3 million in combined non-repayable support, including up to $2 million to address demonstrated liquidity needs and up to $1 million for projects aimed at helping businesses adapt to changing market conditions. Repayable financing is also available for larger-scale transformative projects.
The federal government says the wider support package aims to strengthen Canadian production, maintain business competitiveness, protect existing jobs and create new employment opportunities.
For businesses across the Greater Toronto Area, the funding is expected to support investment in modern technology, expanded production capacity and efforts to reach customers in new markets.
FedDev Ontario delivers federal economic development programs across southern Ontario, helping businesses and organizations innovate, grow and compete in an increasingly challenging economic environment.
