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.
CBC Tariff Explainer includes topics like:
- How do tariffs work?
- What are retaliatory tariffs?
- Who pays for tariffs?
- Read the explainer now.
Latest News
March 4, 2025: U.S. Tariffs, Canadian counter tariffs now in effect, CBC News
February 11, 2025: The United States is implementing a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports effective March 12, 2025, CBC News
| Local Economic Development Support Contact List |
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Town of Ajax Economic Development Services Municipality of Clarington Economic Development Services City of Oshawa Economic Development Services City of Pickering Economic Development Services Town of Whitby Townships of Brock, Scugog, Uxbridge and Durham Region Agricultural Economic Development Services |
Links and Resources
Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB)
Review information including overviews of U.S. tariffs, de minimus treatment, CFIB's advocacy efforts, and other details.
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:
- Key markets for trade diversification
- Preparing for tariffs
- Webinars
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:
- understanding how your business is affected
- identifying potential new markets
- connecting you with the right contacts to help problem solve
- helping you find potential partners and opportunities in new markets.
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.
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.
- Province of Ontario – Information on provincial support for exporters/importers and trade relationships: Building Fortress Am-Can: Ontario’s Am-Can growth plan.
- 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.
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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