Ontario Launches Fortress North America Plan

Premier visited Washington to argue for increased co-operation across North America and for a stronger CUSMA trade agreement

Today, Premier Doug Ford is concluding a mission to Washington, D.C. after unveiling Ontario’s renewed plan for Building Fortress North America by reaching a fair free trade agreement that will create more jobs, lower costs and strengthen North American security. Over two days, Premier Ford is leading an Ontario delegation that is meeting with United States senators and members of Congress, as well as business executives from critical industries including the automotive, aerospace and agricultural sectors.

“Ontario is a vital partner in the continental trading relationships that benefit workers in Canada, the United States and Mexico,” said Premier Ford. “Our Fortress North America plan provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Canada, the United States and Mexico to build on this co-operation, secure North America, create jobs and deliver real results for workers and families.”

During the mission, Premier Ford highlighted how the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) has resulted in years of economic prosperity for the three signatory countries, and how it remains in the best interests of U.S. businesses and consumers to move forward together under a renewed trade deal that unlocks the full potential of Fortress North America.

By increasing collaboration through Fortress North America, Canada, the United States and Mexico can stimulate billions of dollars in new investment, create jobs, lower the cost of living for North American families and restrict the flow of unfair imports from overseas. Fortress North America will also strengthen national security across the continent by building secure and resilient supply chains for critical minerals, nuclear energy, defence production and advanced technologies.

“For generations, Canada, the United States and Mexico have worked together as trusted economic partners, supporting the growth of critical industries and integrated cross-border supply chains,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Ontario’s Fortress North America plan reflects our government’s continued commitment to strengthening this trilateral trade agreement and ensuring families on both sides of the border stand to benefit from the certainty and stability it offers.”

The Ontario government will continue to support a trilateral agreement that offers certainty and stability to investors, keeps shared North American prosperity moving, while at the same time making our continent the most economically competitive market in the world.

Quick Facts

• Since CUSMA came into force in 2020, U.S. goods exports to Canada have increased by over 36 per cent.
• In 2025 alone, over $1.2 trillion in goods and services moved between the U.S. and Canada, more than $3.3 billion per day.
• In 2025, the province of Ontario ranked as the top export destination for merchandise trade for 11 U.S. states, and the second largest export destination for merchandise trade for 15 additional states.
• The U.S. exports more goods to Canada than it does to China, the United Kingdom and Germany combined. Canada is also America’s largest export market for American-made vehicles, buying more annually than Mexico and all of South America combined.
• U.S. exports of goods and services to Canada support 1.8 million American jobs.

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Ontario Investing $5 Million to Help Small Businesses Adopt Digital Technologies

New investment will help nearly 450 businesses increase sales and revenue while creating good-paying jobs

The Ontario government is supporting small and medium-sized businesses with an additional $5 million to expand the Digital Competence Centre (DCC). This provincewide initiative is delivered in partnership with the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) to help nearly 450 businesses adopt digital tools, modernize operations and improve productivity so that they can continue to grow, create good-paying jobs and stay competitive.

“Our government is making targeted investments to help small businesses succeed in a rapidly evolving digital economy. By expanding the Digital Competence Centre, we are giving Ontario entrepreneurs the tools, resources and expertise they need to compete and succeed in today’s increasingly competitive marketplace.” – Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business.

Ontario businesses can access hands-on support and funding through the DCC’s Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP), which provides a matched grant of up to $15,000 that helps businesses plan for technology investments. Companies that have completed a DMAP project are eligible for additional funding through the Technology Demonstration Program, which includes a grant of up to $50,000 to match private investment in purchasing and installing new technologies that support business growth and create jobs.

Through the DCC’s Retail Modernization Project Grant, eligible small retailers with 50 or fewer employees can also receive a matched grant of up to $5,000 to adopt technologies such as point-of-sale systems, online payments, inventory management software, customer relationship management solutions, cybersecurity supports and artificial intelligence tools.

Since its launch in 2022, the DCC has provided more than 800 grants to Ontario businesses that are expected to generate up to $600 million in increased sales revenue and support approximately 3,000 new and existing jobs. Participating companies also saw an average cost savings of 23 per cent and an average of 192 hours of labour saved per month, helping improve productivity and operational efficiency.

“The Digital Competence Centre is helping Ontario businesses turn digital adoption into measurable economic growth,” said Dr. Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO, OCI. “Through investments in modernization, automation, AI adoption, and digital transformation, Ontario companies are improving productivity, increasing revenues, creating jobs and strengthening their long-term competitiveness. OCI is proud to continue delivering programming that helps businesses across the province scale, innovate and succeed.”

As part of the 2026 Ontario Budget, the government announced an additional $5 million investment that builds on the $20 million invested in the program to date. This is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by making the province one of the most competitive places to invest and do business in the G7, while building a more resilient and self-reliant economy.

Quick Facts

• Included in the 2026 Ontario Budget, the government is cutting the small business corporate income tax rate by 31.25 per cent, from 3.2 per cent to 2.2 per cent, effective July 1st 2026.
• This tax cut would support more than 375,000 small businesses, delivering $1.1 billion in additional tax relief over three years, with qualifying businesses saving up to $5,000 annually.

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Ontario Helping Connect Windsor Students With Rewarding Careers in the Skilled Trades

Level Up! career fairs will help over 60,000 students and jobseekers including Windsorites, learn about good-paying in-demand jobs

The Ontario government is launching the annual Level Up! career fairs for a fifth year to introduce students, educators and jobseekers to in-demand careers. Through multi‑day events planned in 12 communities across the province this upcoming year, the 2026 fairs are expected to reach more than 60,000 people and will include open house sessions and interactive exhibitions that will inspire the next generation of workers to build the homes, highways, hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure that the province needs.

“To deliver on our government’s historic $236 billion infrastructure plan, Ontario will need an additional 400,000 workers in the skilled trades over the next decadeWe will continue to invest in innovative programs that introduce students and young people to the skills they need to land in-demand careers and bigger paycheques.” – Premier Doug Ford

The Level Up! career fairs will showcase Ontario’s 144 skilled trades through interactive exhibits, hands‑on demonstrations and conversations with employers, unions and training providers. Designed primarily for students in Grades 7 to 12, the fairs will also welcome parents, guardians, educators and jobseekers interested in learning more about local apprenticeship and training opportunities.

The Level Up! Skilled Trades Career Fairs will take place across 12 communities over 29 days between September 23 and December 10, 2026:

• Cobourg — September 23–24
• Kingston — September 29–30
• Barrie — October 6–7
• Timmins — October 14–15
• Thunder Bay — October 21–22
• Sudbury — October 28–29
• Hamilton — November 3–5
• Windsor — November 11–12
• London — November 17–19
• Ottawa — November 24–26
• Oshawa — December 1–3
• Mississauga — December 8–10

“Five years on, Level Up! continues to open doors for young people across Ontario, giving them real, hands-on exposure to the skilled trades and the careers they could build. The career fairs make that possible by connecting students and jobseekers directly with the tradespeople and employers shaping the work today. Skilled Trades Ontario is proud to deliver Level Up! alongside the Ontario government, and proud to support every young person discovering a career that is in demand, well paid, and built to last.” – Candice White, CEO, Skilled Trades Ontario

Each fair includes daytime sessions for students attending with their schools, followed by a free community open house open to the public, aimed at providing an opportunity for parents and guardians to learn more about the skilled trades.

“Our government is focused on making sure Ontario workers have the skills, resources and opportunities they need to succeed,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “The Level Up! career fairs continue to open more doors for students and jobseekers to explore careers in the skilled trades, connect directly with employers and see firsthand the opportunities available to them.”

As Ontario continues to grow, so does the demand for skilled trades workers, with roughly one in three tradespeople nearing retirement and hundreds of thousands of additional workers needed over the next decade. To meet this demand, Ontario is aiming to engage 500,000 youth in the skilled trades by 2030 through initiatives like Level Up! and the Trade and Tech Trucks program.

Level Up! is part of the government’s ongoing plan to protect Ontario by building a highly skilled workforce ready to meet growing demand and keep Ontario resilient into the future. Through its $236 billion plan to build, the government is delivering critical infrastructure projects that communities rely on while connecting more people to stable, good-paying careers.

Quick Facts

• The Level Up! skilled trades career fairs are open to all students, parents, educators and job seekers.
• Last year, more than 58,000 people attended Level Up! career fairs across Ontario.
• Since 2022, more than 140,000 people have attended the Level Up! career fairs, with total attendance expected to surpass 200,000 by the end of 2026.
• Organizations can support the Level Up! career fairs as potential exhibitors or sponsors, with more information available by emailing LevelUp@ontario.ca or visiting LevelUpOntario.ca.
• One in six job openings in Ontario will be in skilled trades-related occupations by 2034.

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Ontario Launches New Program to Strengthen Electricity Grid and Reduce Costs for Consumers

New Peak Performance program will incentivise businesses to lower electricity use during high demand periods, protecting grid reliability and keeping costs down

As part of its plan to build a more self-reliant energy system, the Ontario government is further expanding its offerings under the Energy Efficiency Framework by introducing the new Peak Performance program. The new initiative will use financial incentives to encourage commercial and institutional properties to reduce heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) use during periods of high demand. This change will protect the reliability of Ontario’s electricity grid, reduce costs for consumers and businesses while delivering up to 100 megawatts of peak-demand reduction in 2026 and scaling up to 230 megawatts in 2027.

“Our government is taking action to help consumers and businesses keep costs down while ensuring Ontario’s electricity system remains reliable during periods of high demand,” said Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries. “The new Peak Performance program will give commercial and institutional buildings a new way to manage electricity use during the summer and support a stronger, more efficient grid.”

With electricity demand projected to increase by up to 90 per cent over the next 25 years, maximizing existing grid capacity is essential to reducing strain and keeping energy costs down. Large buildings such as offices, retail centres and universities contribute significantly to peak electricity demand in the summer season while occupancy is often lower during these periods.

Starting today, eligible facilities will be able to participate by signing up to reduce HVAC use for up to three hours on business days, between June 1 and September 30, in response to high system demand. Participants must be able to reduce at least 500 kilowatts or contribute to a portfolio of aggregated load reduction of at least 500 kilowatts to be eligible and will receive a $20 per kilowatt incentive to offset the cost of monitoring and control equipment.

“In this tariff war, Premier Ford is laser-focused on protecting affordability for Ontario families and businesses. That is why our government cut the gas tax by 10 cents per litre, opposed the carbon tax, and introduced Ontario’s largest energy savings program. Our government is taking another step forward unveiling another financial incentive for businesses, reducing their energy bills and saving the grid electricity.” – Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines

Ontario’s Energy Efficiency Framework is forecasted to reduce the province’s peak demand by 3,000 megawatts by 2036, the equivalent of taking three million homes off the grid. By lowering operating costs for households and businesses and freeing up electricity capacity, these measures help strengthen Ontario’s competitiveness on the global stage and support the government’s goal of making Ontario one of the most competitive economies in the G7.

Peak Performance is part of Ontario’s $10.9 billion, 12-year Energy Efficiency Framework, a key component of Energy for Generations, the province’s first integrated energy plan. The Framework, which launched in January 2025 and expanded offerings in November 2025, is designed to reduce electricity demand, lower costs for customers and support Ontario’s growing economy.

Quick Facts

• Large buildings such as offices, retail centres and universities are some of Ontario’s largest untapped resources for demand response, contributing significantly to peak electricity demand during the summer cooling season.
• Ontario’s Energy Efficiency Framework, which launched in January 2025 and expanded offerings in November 2025, is designed to reduce electricity demand, lower costs for customers and support Ontario’s growing economy. New and expanded programs under the Framework include the Home Renovation Savings Program and the Save On Energy XLerate Program.
• The Framework is estimated to result in $23.1 billion in nominal electricity system benefits, thereby saving ratepayers $12.2 billion in electricity system costs by helping to avoid the build out of new generation.
• Peak Performance builds on the success of Peak Perks, Ontario’s demand response program for homes and small businesses. Peak Perks is Canada’s largest virtual power plant, with more than 300,000 participants and over 200 megawatts of peak demand reduction delivered in summer 2025 — with even larger savings expected in 2026.

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Ontario to Ban Uniform Charges at Large Companies

As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario and build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy, Ontario says it is taking action to put more money back in workers’ pockets with proposed changes to the Employments Standards Act, 2000 to ban employers from charging employees for required uniforms. In addition, the proposed new STAR Act would improve the transparency and oversight of talent agencies to better protect performers’ paycheques in the entertainment industry.

“Ontario workers are the backbone of our province and they deserve to keep more of what they earn. Whether you work in a restaurant or hotel, no one should have to pay out of pocket for a uniform just to earn a paycheque. At the same time, Ontario’s entertainment and creative industries showcase our talent to the world and support thousands of good jobs. That’s why we’re improving fairness and transparency to ensure performers are paid what they’re owed.” – David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

The government will be proposing changes to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 that, if passed, would prohibit employers from requiring employees to pay for uniforms or deducting those costs from their wages except in limited situations, ensuring employees are not forced to pay out of pocket just to do their jobs. While the cost range of uniforms can differ, some employees can pay upwards of $50. The change would apply where uniforms are mandatory and employer-specific, including branded or logo apparel and not reasonably usable outside of work. If passed, the ministry would also consult on certain exemptions, such as small businesses. This change would address a common but often overlooked cost barrier, particularly in entry-level sectors like retail, hospitality and food service.

In addition, the government is proposing to establish the Strengthening Talent Agency Regulation (STAR) Act to strengthen transparency and oversight of payments handled by talent agencies. The proposed legislation would set a limit on commission rates, prohibit fees other than commissions and fees that are allowed by regulation, require timely payment to entertainment workers and mandate a separate bank account for funds owing to those workers.

These proposed changes are part of a broader package of measures the government is introducing in the coming days to continue delivering on its plan to protect workers and make Ontario the most competitive place in the G7 to invest, create jobs and do business.

Quick Facts

• Nearly 178,000 people were employed in the arts, entertainment and recreation sectors in Ontario in 2024.
• Although the cost range of uniforms can differ, some uniforms can cost upwards of $50.
• There were 383,900 people employed in the restaurant and bar sector in Ontario in 2025, where uniforms can often be required.
• Seven other Canadian jurisdictions already limit or prohibit employers from charging employees for uniforms, including British Columbia, Quebec and Manitoba.

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