in Chatsworth, Grey Highlands, Southgate, West Grey
August 26, 2025
Eligible southern Ontario businesses can now apply for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative support to respond, adapt and compete amid shifting market conditions.
Today, the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced that the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is open in southern Ontario.
The RTRI is a three-year, $450-million national initiative, delivered through Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs), to help businesses overcome trade challenges. FedDev Ontario will deliver nearly $160 million in southern Ontario, with targeted support available for businesses in the steel and automotive industries.
The RTRI will invest in Canadian businesses affected by trade challenges by helping them improve productivity, expand and diversify markets, and strengthen domestic supply chain and trade resilience.
The Minister made the announcement while visiting Hooper Welding, a manufacturer of pressure vessels and custom steel fabrication for the oil, gas and nuclear sectors.
“Southern Ontario businesses are under pressure in today’s shifting trade landscape. The Regional Tariff Response Initiative is supporting our businesses by giving them the tools they need to innovate, diversify, and grow, especially in key sectors like steel and auto, which are critical to our infrastructure and clean economy. By backing local economies and helping companies expand into new markets, we are not only securing Canada’s future prosperity, but helping build a stronger, more resilient and more productive economy that creates good jobs, drives competitiveness, and supports long-term growth across the region,” said the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
“Businesses here in Hamilton and across southern Ontario are feeling the impact of global trade challenges and rising costs. The Regional Tarriff Response Initiative will provide the support to help businesses to respond, adapt and compete amid shifting market conditions.” said John-Paul Danko, Member of Parliament for Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas.
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