While Canada and the United States' trade relationship experiences a period of transformation, Durham Region's business support community is acting quickly to deepen our local economic strength. The Durham Economic Task Force (DETF) is working closely with our federal, provincial, and local partners to support your business.
Please check back for updates as this page is in ongoing development.
Durham College Business Support Series
Add digital tools to your toolbox to grow your productivity and sharpen your skills to navigate the changing global economy. Durham College experts will help you upskill in this free, weekly support series.
Register today for one session, or the whole series and see how Durham College is leading the way in supporting the business community. Webinars will occur virtually every Thursday May 8 to 29 from 1 to 1:45 p.m.
- May 8 - Future-Proof Training: How XR is Changing the Game
- May 15 – "Navigating Economic Uncertainty" with Corporate Training
- May 22 - Leveraging AI to Build Resilient Businesses
- May 29 - Protecting your Business in 2025's Cyber Landscape
Canadian Trade Commissioner Service - Workshop - Increasing Exports to Europe
In a time of increasing global political and economic uncertainty—and with Canada’s growing commitment to trade diversification, this virtual workshop will provide you with the practical tools and insights to help you grow your exports to the European Union under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Workshop available May 5, 6, and 15th, 2025.
Workshop Objectives
- Discover CETA benefits and what they mean for your business.
- See how to navigate rules of origin, tariff benefits, and other CETA provisions.
- Engage with live demos, real-world examples, and dedicated Q&A
On-Demand Webinar
Webinar: Understanding the impacts of U.S. tariffs on Durham Region businesses.
Latest News
April 7, 2025: Ontario Taking Action to Protect Workers Amid Economic Uncertainty, Province of Ontario
April 3, 2025: Canada announces new countermeasures in response to U.S. tariffs, Government of Canada
April 2, 2025: U.S. President announces a 25% levy on non-U.S. content in foreign-made vehicles, CBC News
March 7, 2025: Fighting for Canadian Workers and Businesses, Department of Finance Canada
March 6, 2025: Tariffs paused on some Canadian goods until April 2, CBC News
March 4, 2025: U.S. Tariffs, Canadian counter tariffs now in effect, CBC News
February 11, 2025: U.S. to implement a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports effective March 12, 2025, CBC News
Local Economic Development Support Contact List
Town of Ajax Economic Development Services
priority@ajax.ca
Municipality of Clarington Economic Development Services
EcDev@clarington.net
City of Oshawa Economic Development Services
business@oshawa.ca
City of Pickering Economic Development Services
business@pickering.ca
Town of Whitby
EcDev@whitby.ca
Townships of Brock, Scugog, Uxbridge and Durham Region Agricultural Economic Development Services
InvestDurham@durham.ca
Links and Resources
| Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) |
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For the vast majority of goods (over 98% of tariff lines and over 99.9% of bilateral trade between Canada and the U.S.), traders can claim preference under the CUSMA if they meet the Agreement’s rules of origin. To qualify for preferential treatment when imported into the U.S., a good must meet the CUSMA rules of origin, which determine how much production must be undertaken in North America for goods to be considered originating under the Agreement. |
| Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) |
| The Department of Finance Canada has announced $500 million in favourably priced loans available through BDC to support impacted businesses in sectors directly targeted by tariffs, as well as companies in their supply chains. Businesses will also benefit from advisory services in areas such as financial management and market diversification. Read more. |
| Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB) |
| Review information including overviews of U.S. tariffs, de minimus treatment, CFIB's advocacy efforts, and other details. |
| EI Work-Sharing Program |
| The EI Work-Sharing Program provides EI benefits to employees who agree with their employer to work reduced hours due to a decrease in business activity beyond their employer’s control. Temporary flexibilities have been introduced to this program. Learn more. |
| Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) |
| The Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium "Member Needs Help" program is an exclusive service for its members, designed to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing within the manufacturing community. For a limited time, the Canada/US Trade Relations Edition is open to all Canadian manufacturers. Here you can review questions and pose new ones to a community of peers and experts. Additionally, if you would like to stay informed with regular email communications on this topic, you can sign up by completing this form. |
| Export Development Canada (EDC) |
Export Development Canada can support businesses to navigate uncertainty. EDC offers trade support to Canadian companies. Explore how EDC can help. Resources include:
The Department of Finance Canada has announced a Trade Impact Program through EDC, which will deploy $5 billion over two years, starting this year, to help exporters reach new markets for Canadian products. Read more. |
| Farm Credit Canada |
| The Department of Finance Canada has announced $1 billion in new financing through Farm Credit Canada to reduce financial barriers for the Canadian agriculture and food industry. This lending offer will help address cash flow challenges so that businesses can adjust to a new operating environment and continue to supply the high-quality agricultural and food products that Canadians rely on. Read more about this program and eligibility. |
| Government of Canada Trade Commissioner Service |
| For businesses seeking new markets, the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service provides support in over 160 locations worldwide. With 15 ratified Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) covering 49 countries, Canadian businesses can access 1.5 billion consumers.
Business diversification is critical to business success. The Trade Commissioner Service has developed a spotlight page on Market Diversification that offers tools to help you determine export readiness, step-by-step exportation guides, and export maps. Explore your pathways to global expansion. The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service will help exporters navigate the tariffs by:
Learn about the process to request remission of tariffs that apply to certain goods from the U.S. Information from The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service. Review the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service website for more resources. |
| Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade (MEDJCT) |
| The Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade (MEDJCT) offers programs and resources to help businesses scale locally and globally. Access funding, expert advice, and market expansion opportunities to Grow Your Business. |
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Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) |
| The OCC has created a 10-step resource to mitigate its effects and stay competitive. Review the guide. |
Supports and Funding
- Get access to information for more than 12,000 manufacturing establishments and 250 ecosystem partners in Ontario, visually depicted on an interactive map, with enhanced search features. Explore using Trillium Network GIS Map tool.
- List of products from the United States proposes for 25 per cent tariffs listed as of February 4, 2025.
- Canada Tariff Finder – BDC Quickly get tariff information for specific products and countries.
- Canada's Tariff Finder for Rates and Cost Forecasting
- Province of Ontario – Information on provincial support for exporters/importers and trade relationships: Building Fortress Am-Can: Ontario’s Am-Can growth plan.
- Province of Ontario - Ontario Together Trade Fund
- Explore the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Business Funding portal. This is a concierge program from the Government of Canada to help find programs, services, and funding available to businesses.
- Process for requesting remission of tariffs that apply on certain goods from the U.S.
Find Canadian Suppliers and Products
- Explore Canadian supply chain options through Canada’s business directories.
- Showcase and source Ontario-made products to help strengthen local businesses affected by U.S. tariffs. Apply for the Ontario Made Product Series for free.
- Made in CA is a valuable resource showcasing Canadian-made products and businesses.
Stay Connected Locally
Durham Region's business community is made up of energetic innovators, entrepreneurs, and businesses that propel our economy. When possible, choose locally made, grown, or produced products and services and invest in our region.
- Explore the Durham Tourism page dedicated to shopping locally in Durham Region.
- Find local food, beverages, and farm markets in our Local Food Directory.
| About the Durham Economic Task Force (DETF) |
| The DETF is a collaborative response team made up of Durham Region’s Economic Development and Tourism team; local municipal economic development teams from Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington, Brock, Uxbridge and Scugog, and the region's chambers of commerce and boards of trade. The members also engage with other key partners like Spark Centre and 1855 Technology Accelerator, post-secondary institutions, business improvement areas (BIAs), the Business Advisory Centre of Durham (BACD), provincial and federal partners, industry associations, and others. |
| Regional News Releases |
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Monday February 3, 2025: Regional Chair and Mayors affirm support of local businesses in response to Canadian export tariffs Wednesday March 5, 2025: Regional leaders strengthen economy, challenge U.S. tariffs |
| Industry Associations |
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