Mississauga Partners in Trade
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The City of Mississauga is committed to supporting local businesses, entrepreneurs, and residents through uncertainty and disruptions from changes in US trade policy and will continue to monitor and regularly update this page.
Top Requests
Ontario Together Trade Fund
Pivot to Grow Loan
Regional Tariff Response Initiative
Strategic Response Fund
Tariff Finder
Business Funding Finder
Understanding CUSMA Compliance
EDC Market Insights
Share Your Views on CUSMA Consultations: The federal government has opened public consultations ahead of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) joint review. Businesses and stakeholders have until November 3rd, 2025 to provide input. Information on how to provide input can be found here.
The US has added new tariff measures on wood products: an additional 10% tariff on softwood lumber and 25% tariffs on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and upholstered wooden furniture, with increases scheduled for January 1, 2026. A full list of Canadian products currently being tariffed by the US can be found here.
Read here for the Government of Canada’s updated list of goods subject to counter-tariffs and measures to support tariff-impacted businesses. For details on recently announced provincial support measures, read here.
Please find below a list of resources that can help you stay informed and respond to trade flow disruptions with the U.S.
Support Resources
- Access Funding
- Explore New Markets
- Buy & Supply Canadian
- Get Advice
- Ontario Together Trade Fund: up to $5 million in grant or loan funding and advisory supports to help tariff-impacted Ontario manufacturers scale production, re-shore critical supply chains, develop new markets, and enhance competitiveness in interprovincial trade.
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI): up to $10 million in funding to help businesses overcome trade disruptions across all sectors, especially those impacted by tariffs.
- Strategic Response Fund: up to $5 billion in federal funding to support Canadian industries facing global trade and supply chain risks by strengthening domestic production, diversifying trade, and enhancing competitiveness in strategic tariff-impacted sectors.
- Protect Ontario Financing Program: loan of $250,000 or more for Ontario businesses in the steel, aluminum, or auto sectors facing tariff-related working capital challenges.
- Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility (LETL): offers a minimum $60 million loan to large Canadian businesses that are affected by existing and potential new tariffs and are facing difficulties in accessing traditional sources of market financing.
- Pivot to Grow Loan: Offers up to $5 million in competitively priced loans for businesses affected by tariffs, including those in their supply chains, through Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).
- Trade Disruption Customer Support Program: Canadian agriculture and food businesses can receive additional support through Farm Credit Canada, which is offering new lending options to manage cash flow and adjust to shifting market conditions.
- Tariff Remission Process: Provides relief from tariffs imposed by the Government of Canada in response to U.S. trade measures. Businesses facing exceptional hardship due to countermeasures can apply for remission of duties.
- EI Work-Sharing Program Expansion: increased flexibility to the program to provide EI benefits to employees working reduced hours due to business slowdowns. This will help employers retain skilled workers while supporting employees with income stability.
- Invest Mississauga – Business Funding & Support Finder: Invest Mississauga has partnered with Fundica to provide businesses with an easy way to find funding in Canada. Through its proprietary search tool and intelligent filtering, Fundica helps entrepreneurs and businesses find grants, tax credits, other tax incentives, loans, loan guarantees, equity and accelerators. Access this Business Funding and Support Finder and discover a growing list of resources aimed to address your business needs.
- Trade Impact Program: Provides $5 billion over two years to help Canadian exporters expand into new international markets and manage financial challenges caused by tariffs.
- Tariff Finder: A tool that helps businesses find import and export tariff information for specific products in Free Trade Agreement (FTA) markets.
- CanExport SMEs Grant: Government of Canada funding stream to support Canadian exporters gain access to new international markets.
- 2025 Startup Global Pitch Competition: Supports early-stage entrepreneurs looking to export their products and/or services outside of Canada. 2025 competition will be held in Mississauga.
- Canadian Pavilion Program: Supports Canadian food and beverage companies participate in international trade shows to gain exposure in new markets.
- Made in Canada Directory: Directory of Canadian-owned products and companies.
- Ontario Made Directory: Directory of Ontario made products.
- ByCanada.tech: Directory of Canadian startups, products, and businesses.
- Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council: Connects Aboriginal and minority owned businesses to procurement opportunities with companies and governments.
- Trillium Manufacturing Network: Interactive map highlighting Ontario-based manufacturing companies.
- Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, CME: Business intelligence and advocacy initiatives for the manufacturing industry.
- Export Development Canada (EDC): Offers financing, equity and insurance solutions, and business connection services for businesses looking to expand into new global markets.
- Trade Commissioner Service: Offers market intelligence, trade missions, and business advisory services to support Canadian businesses interested in exporting across the globe.
- Global Affairs Canada: Provides export market intelligence, trade agreements, and business development services to help businesses navigate international trade.
- Forum for International Trade Training (FITT): Provides export-import training and certification services to help businesses successfully navigate global trade. Endorsed by the Government of Canada, EDC and Trade Commissioner Service.
- Women Exporters Program: Supports women-led businesses in expanding internationally through trade and e-commerce opportunities.
- Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium, EMC: Business intelligence and networking services for the manufacturing industry.
- Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, CME: Business intelligence and advocacy initiatives for the manufacturing industry.
- Ontario Chamber of Commerce: 10 Tips for Ontario Small and Medium Enterprises to Stay Competitive.
Trade and US Tariff Information & Support Events
OCT
21
Oct 21 – 11:00 AM – Virtual
OCT
21
Oct 21 – 1:00 PM – Virtual
OCT
24
Oct 24 – 10:00 AM – Virtual
OCT
28
Oct 28 – 9:30 AM – Virtual
NOV
6
Nov 6 – 10:00 AM – Virtual
NOV
12
Nov 12 – 9:30 AM – Virtual
NOV
19
Nov 19 – 9:30 AM – Virtual
NOV
19
Nov 19 – 9:30 AM – Virtual
NOV
26
Nov 26 – 9:30 AM – Virtual