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The fund will deliver $228.8 million over three years to support workers in the steel, softwood lumber and automotive industries, as well as others directly or indirectly affected by tariffs.
Published Mar 10, 2026 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 2 minute read
The Canada-Ontario Workforce Tariff Response program will deliver $228.8 million over three years to support workers in the steel, softwood lumber and automotive industries, as well as others directly or indirectly affected by tariffs. Photo by Photo SuppliedArticle content
The Canada-Ontario Workforce Tariff Response program will help workers losing their jobs due to tariffs retrain and receive the support they need, said Sault-Algoma MP Terry Sheehan.
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Sheehan joined Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, and David Piccini, Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to announce that workers whose jobs have been directly or indirectly impacted by global tariffs will receive support to help them adapt, retrain, and succeed, through a joint tariff-response initiative.
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The fund will deliver $228.8 million over three years to support workers in the steel, softwood lumber and automotive industries, as well as others directly or indirectly affected by tariffs.
It’s anticipated the funding will help 27,000 workers in Ontario build new skills and seize emerging opportunities.
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Canada–Ontario Workforce Tariff Response supports will be delivered through Ontario’s established network of training programs and employment services, as well as through Skills Advance Ontario.
“This federal investment through our Labour Market Development Agreement will help workers in Sault Ste. Marie and across Northern Ontario train for new skills while our regional industries adapt their operations, not just to tariffs, but also new economic opportunities. Our government is working to Build Canada Strong, and we will need trained and skilled workers to do it,” Sheehan said in a press release.
A similar provincial government release says Algoma Steel welcomes the funding announcement to help affected workers.
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“Algoma Steel, like many companies in the steel sector, is navigating the challenging and uncertain trade and market environment,” the company’s newly minted CAO Rajat Marwah states in the release.
“Steelworkers know that global tariffs and economic uncertainty can put good union jobs at risk and create real challenges for working families and communities,” said Kevon Stewart, USW District 6 Director for Ontario and Atlantic Canada.
The funding is “important to ensure workers have access to the training and support they need to protect jobs, strengthen our industries, and build a more resilient workforce,” he said.
These funds will help workers stay employed, upgrade their skills, or retrain as industries adapt. It will also help Ontario employers retain experienced staff during periods of economic uncertainty. In addition, they will also support workforce development in high‑potential sectors such as health care, skilled trades, clean energy and natural resources.
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