Ontario Investing Over $500,000 to Protect Tariff-Impacted Workers and Businesses in Clarington

December 15, 2025

CLARINGTON — The Ontario government is investing $529,358 through the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) to help Cargowall Limited increase resilience, build capacity and re-shore critical supply chains to Ontario.

Through this project, Cargowall is investing $5,293,579 to install two automated roll forming lines to produce struts and guardrails for commercial construction of hospitals and data centers in addition to highway guardrails across Canada. The investment will create 14 new, good-paying jobs and protect 29 existing positions across Durham Region.

“Through the Ontario Together Trade Fund, our government is stepping up for the businesses in our community who’ve been directly affected by U.S. tariffs,” said Todd McCarthy, Member of Provincial Parliament for Durham. “Cargowall’s investment will help them adapt, stay competitive and continue creating good jobs in these uncertain times, all while helping make Ontario’s economy more competitive, resilient and self-reliant.”

First announced as part of the 2025 Ontario Budget, the OTTF is part of the province’s nearly $30 billion tariff relief and support plan, dedicated to protecting the province’s workers and businesses from economic uncertainty and building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy. With a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises, the program will help businesses across a diverse range of sectors make the necessary investments to strengthen operations in Ontario, expand market reach and protect workers.

“While the tariffs and uncertainty from the US Administration have created a lot of ambiguity for Canadian businesses in the last year, we are looking at this as an opportunity to bring back Canadian manufacturing of products that were once produced here and in recent years moved Stateside. For us, that means growth for us here at Cargowall, doing what we do best – roll forming high quality steel products and building meaningful relationships with our customers,” said Tom Brewer, General Manager of Cargowall.

Since its launch, the OTTF has received overwhelming demand, with more than 140 applications submitted as of October 2025. In response to this, the government recently announced an additional $100 million investment into the program, bringing the total funding to $150 million over three years. The increased support will enable businesses affected by U.S. tariffs to return production to Ontario, identify new sales opportunities and expand interprovincial trade.

“As U.S. tariffs continue to threaten Ontario’s critical industries, our government remains focused on ensuring our businesses have the resources needed to adapt and expand,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “By investing in Cargowall through the Ontario Together Trade Fund, we are taking decisive action to enhance the competitiveness of our economy and increasing opportunities for Ontario businesses and workers, now and for generations to come.”

As Ontario continues to navigate the impact of U.S. tariffs and global economic uncertainty, the government remains focused on delivering critical funding, cutting red tape, unleashing the economy and supporting workers.

QUICK FACTS

• The Ontario Together Trade Fund is a part of Ontario’s broader strategy to support advanced manufacturing and trade-impacted communities, launched or enhanced as part of the 2025 Ontario Budget, including the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit, the Protect Ontario Financing Program and the Trade-Impacted Communities Program.
• Through the OTTF, the government is also providing complementary supports and services to help businesses navigate regulatory requirements, connect with skilled talent and access government programs that accelerate project success.
• Open to Ontario-based businesses investing a minimum of $200,000, eligible projects include modification of existing products to enter new sectors, procurement of advanced equipment and facility modification to enhance domestic manufacturing and sales expansion.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Ontario Together Trade Fund
• A Plan to Protect Ontario: 2025 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review

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Douglas Ellis, Executive Assistant
Community Relations & Outreach
Office of the Hon. Todd McCarthy, MPP – Durham
C: 905-697-1501
E: douglas.ellis@pc.ola.org