Mississauga Partners in Trade

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

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 Discover Manufacturing Opportunities in Monterrey by MEDJCT

Oct 21 – 11:00 AM – Virtual

OCT

21 Major SR&ED Policy Changes Pending by EMC Canada

Oct 21 – 1:00 PM – Virtual

OCT

24 Spotlight on Exporting: Nearshoring & Supply Chain Realignment by MEDJCT

Oct 24 – 10:00 AM – Virtual

OCT

28 Export to Market: Germany and Ontario, Canada by MEDJCT

Oct 28 – 9:30 AM – Virtual

NOV

6 Exporting into the US - Tools, Resources & Regulation Updates by MEDJCT

Nov 6 – 10:00 AM – Virtual

NOV

12 First Steps in Exporting: Market Research and Entry Strategy by MEDJCT

Nov 12 – 9:30 AM – Virtual

NOV

19 First Steps in Exporting: Trade Finance, Freight Logistics, and Digital Asset Protection by MEDJCT

Nov 19 – 9:30 AM – Virtual

NOV

19 New Exporters to Border States by MEDJCT

Nov 19 – 9:30 AM – Virtual

NOV

26 First Steps in Exporting: International Distribution, Trade Events and eCommerce by MEDJCT

Nov 26 – 9:30 AM – Virtual

Mississauga's Response

March 5th – Mississauga’s Partners in Trade Response Presentation: Click here to view the slides.

While trade policy is outside municipal jurisdiction, the City is taking action to support local businesses and residents. Efforts include outreach to affected businesses, helping them access available resources, and advocating to higher levels of government. The City has also launched the Choose Canada initiative to encourage buying Canadian-made products and services and will amend its Procurement By-law to prioritize Canadian and non-U.S. suppliers while supporting local, diverse, and small businesses.

Read Mayor Parrish’s statement on U.S. tariffs here.

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