Provincial funding will protect local jobs and support economic growth through the launch of the Kingston Economic Development Corporation’s trade resilience project
Kingston, Ontario — July 23, 2026 — The Ontario government is protecting tariff-impacted workers and industries in Kingston with an investment of $302,000 through the Trade-Impacted Communities Program (TICP). The funding will support Kingston Economic Development Corporation’s initiative dedicated to supporting Eastern Ontario companies as they diversify and expand sales into new markets in Canada and Europe.
In the face of economic uncertainty, the $40 million TICP is a tactical tool launched by the government of Ontario last year to protect good-paying jobs and build resilient, self-reliant communities across the province.
“Kingston’s skilled workers and industrial strengths have long positioned the local and regional economy for investment and growth,” said John Jordan, MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston. “Through our government’s Trade-Impacted Communities Program, we are ensuring communities throughout the region and throughout this Province are positioned to protect workers against the impacts of U.S. tariffs today, while building a more resilient, self-reliant, and competitive economy for the future.”
In response to the disproportionate impact of U.S. tariffs on the local economy, Kingston Economic Development will invest $492,000 to launch this two-year trade resilience project. In line with the goals of the provincial government’s TICP, this two-year project will help businesses across Eastern Ontario strengthen their supply chains, diversify into new markets, increase exports, and better respond to U.S. tariffs and global trade disruptions. The initiative will provide one-on-one tariff and export advisory services, targeted training, business matchmaking, and an eight-week trade accelerator, while supporting low-risk entry into new domestic and international markets through trade missions, strategic partnerships, and soft-landing services.
First announced as part of the province’s nearly $30 billion tariff relief and support plan, the TICP is dedicated to projects aimed at strengthening economic resilience and competitiveness across industries and communities disproportionately impacted by global trade disruptions. The program also supports the diversification of supply chains across Ontario’s priority sectors, while increasing export and investment opportunities to reduce reliance on U.S. markets.
“As U.S. tariffs continue to impact key sectors across Ontario, our government is taking decisive action to ensure regional communities have the tools they need to withstand economic pressure and secure new, long-term investments,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Through the Trade-Impacted Communities Program, we are proud to support Kingston Economic Development’s trade resilience project, which will support local workers and strengthen domestic supply chains, while unlocking new trade and export partnerships.”
As Ontario continues to navigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs and global economic uncertainty, the government remains focused on delivering critical funding, cutting red tape, and positioning local economies to be more competitive, resilient, and investment-ready across priority sectors.
QUICK FACTS
• The Trade-Impacted Communities Program is part of Ontario’s broader strategy to support tariff-impacted communities, which focuses on ensuring long-term economic stability and growth while reshoring and strengthening supply chains.
• Open to municipal governments, economic development organizations, sector and industry associations, business accelerators and incubators, TICP funds communitylevel projects that build economic resilience, diversify supply chains, and foster new trade partnerships in response to U.S. trade disruptions.
• The program works in tandem with the Ontario Together Trade Fund, the Protect Ontario Financing Program and the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit.
• Since its launch, the government has received over 80 applications from communities across Ontario and is actively assessing projects for consideration.
• Applications for Stream 1 will be accepted on a continuous basis as long as funding is available. The application window for Stream 2 closed as of September 11, 2025.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Evan Robinson,
Senior Issues Manager and Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Economic Development, Creation and Trade
Evan.Robinson@ontario.ca
