Ontario expands tariff support as U.S. bans and duties hit

TORONTO — Premier Doug Ford told the Toronto Region Board of Trade on Thursday that Ontario will widen eligibility for its tariff support programs to industries caught by Washington’s latest bans and 50% duties on Canadian goods.

U.S. President Donald Trump has moved to bar certain Canadian imports — including alcohol, motorcycles, some dairy products such as whey and cheese, and molasses — later this month, with additional 50% tariffs on selected steel and aluminum products, specialty cheese, mattresses, furniture and paper products set for Sept. 15.

The Protect Ontario Financing Program offers loans for payroll, lease and utility bills; the Ontario Together Trade Fund provides grants or loans so small and mid-sized firms can cut reliance on U.S. supply chains. Ford said the expansions are meant to help hit sectors “keep the lights on.”

Ford also backed Prime Minister Mark Carney’s dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs, saying Ottawa was right “to show President Trump that Canada will stand up for itself” — provincial liquidity and federal retaliation running in parallel as the trade war’s next tranche lands on Ontario exporters.