Ontario investing $100 million amid tariff threats

'We will defend our achievements against economic threats and build up an even stronger and more resilient Ontario'

Ontario investing $100 million amid tariff threats

Ontario is supporting more projects that hope to address labour shortages in the province with an additional nine-figure investment.

The provincial government is allocating another $100 million to the Skills Development Fund Training Stream to give employment opportunities to workers in fields that include manufacturing, construction, critical mineral extraction and other skilled trades.

“Under Premier [Doug] Ford, we have made unprecedented investments in our incredible workers, and today’s investment builds on that record,” said David Piccini, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development.

“We will defend our achievements against economic threats and build up an even stronger and more resilient Ontario. By investing in training, we stand with Ontario businesses, workers, families, unions, and communities.”

The funding will ensure workers get the skills and training they need to secure better jobs and bigger paycheques, while protecting Ontario’s economy, says the goverment.

The new investment comes after the government’s announcement, in July 2024, to set aside $260 million for the Training Stream, the largest round of funding since the program was launched.

More support comes amid U.S. tariff threat

Despite the significant amount of investment in the SDF Training Stream in 2024, it proved to be not enough to cater to all applicants, as the province received applications totalling over $1.1 billion, said the government.

“The additional $100-million investment announced today will fund more projects than originally planned to support major industries and sectors expected to grow or face pressures from potential U.S. tariffs,” it said.

The Ontario and U.S. economies are highly integrated with nearly 1 in 5 Ontario jobs dependent on trade with the U.S., and about $400 billion in merchandise traveling between the two jurisdictions every year, explained the government.

Many Canadians are expecting the worst for workers should U.S. President Donald Trump push through with his threat of imposing a 25% tariff on all Canadian imports to the U.S. With Canadians expecting job cuts, 80% want the Canadian federal government to support people who would be impacted by job losses, according to a previous report from the Canadian Labour Congress

On Jan. 16, the Ontario government outlined the forthcoming Am-Can Growth Plan. A key component of that is Ontario’s investments in skills training, clean energy and resource development, along with a competitive business environment, said the government. 

Reuters previously reported that Ottawa could impose countermeasures on up to $150 billion worth of US imports if Trump puts tariffs on Canadian goods and services.

However, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has since promised to help Trump achieve America's "golden age,” according to another CBS report.

Premier Doug Ford previously praised the federal government’s plan to secure the Canada-U.S. border in response to Trump’s threat to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports.

But Ford is now calling for a partnership between the two countries.

“Canada and the United States can be the richest, most successful, safest and most secure two countries on the planet. Working together, we can usher in a new American and Canadian century, a time of unprecedented growth, job creation and prosperity. We do so by building Fortress Am-Can, a renewed strategic alliance between the U.S. and Canada that is a beacon of stability, security and long-term economic growth on both sides of the border.”

Labour shortage in Ontario

More than 500,000 workers are expected to be needed to fill job openings in skilled trades-related occupations in Ontario over the next decade, according to the provincial government.

SDF comprises two streams: the Training Stream supports hiring, training, and upskilling programs for jobseekers, apprentices, and workers; and the Capital Stream supports upgrades or construction of training centres for the skilled trades. The Training Stream of the SDF is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the federal and Ontario governments.

The latest investment pushes the total funding for the SDF to $1.5 billion since 2021. The program is supporting training of over one million local workers for in-demand careers.

Canadian job seekers are expecting a tough time finding new employment this year, according to reports from Express Employment Professionals and Indeed Hiring Lab.