Resources
Canadian Chamber of Commerce ‘Trade Explorer’ maps potential export opportunities (Oct 5, 2026)
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Data Lab (BDL) has launched Trade Explorer, an interactive tool that identifies international markets with the strongest potential for Canadian products. Trade Explorer identifies about $4 trillion in potential export opportunities for Canadian products across 182 markets, with Europe offering the largest opportunity. Click here to learn more.
2026 Trade & Tariff Survey Report Chamber Network (Oct 1, 2026)
Ontario businesses are adapting to trade uncertainty, but tariffs, trade disruption, and economic volatility continue to weigh on investment and growth, according to the 2026 Trade & Tariff Report from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC).
Drawn from a survey of 851 businesses across the province, the report finds companies are responding to current economic disruption by diversifying suppliers, pursuing new markets, and strengthening operations.
Key findings from the report include:
-34% are confident in Ontario's economic outlook, up from 23% in late 2025
-51% report confidence in their own organization’s economic outlook
-38% are diversifying suppliers or markets beyond the United States and Mexico (14% have already and 24% are in the process of doing so)
-57% expect tariffs, trade policies, and economic uncertainty to negatively affect investment or expansion plans, but this varies greatly by business size: just 12% for large businesses, and 41% for businesses with fewer than 10 employees
-22% report no material impact from U.S. trade policies
Top reactions to trade disruption include increasing prices (23%), reducing U.S. trade (19%), expanding sales within Canada (18%), and diversifying suppliers (18%)
TARIFF & TRADE SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES (Sept 25, 2026)
A Quick Reference Guide from the Office of Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener -Conestoga
A Quick Reference Guide from the Office of Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener -Conestoga
To help businesses navigate these resources, the office MP Tim Louis, MPP has prepared the attached Tariff and Trade Support for Businesses guide. It brings together federal and Ontario programs, outlining the assistance offered, basic eligibility requirements and links to further information. Click here
Regional Tariff Response Initiative in southern Ontario
The Government of Canada has expanded the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) to help businesses respond to tariff pressures and global trade uncertainty.Eligible businesses may now access enhanced support to strengthen supply chains, boost productivity, improve resilience, address liquidity needs, and pursue growth opportunities.
Applications are now open. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gkUvbGdP
The Greater Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge Chambers of Commerce are sharing this guide to help Canadian businesses identify U.S.-origin goods that may be subject to Canada’s new counter-tariffs, taking effect September 8, 2026.
The new measures apply surtax rates of 15%, 25% or 50% to 874 Canadian tariff items, representing approximately $27.6 billion in imports from the United States. This guide addresses only the new measures taking effect September 8. Other Canadian counter-tariffs, including those applying to automobiles and certain other goods, remain in effect.
When the New Measures Take Effect
The September 8 surtaxes apply only to goods originating in the United States, as determined under the applicable Canadian country-of-origin marking rules. The measures take effect at 12:01 a.m. on September 8, 2026.
U.S.-origin goods that are already in transit to Canada when the measures take effect are excluded from the new surtaxes.
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is intended for Canadian businesses that import, distribute, resell, purchase or source U.S.-origin goods.
It is important to note that purchasing a product from a U.S. supplier does not automatically make the product U.S.-origin for surtax purposes. The product’s country of origin must be determined under the applicable Canadian origin and marking rules.
Summary of Affected Products
The following section groups the 874 affected tariff items into 23 broad product categories, using everyday language to help businesses quickly identify areas where they may have exposure.
Businesses should consult the official Department of Finance tariff-item list, the Customs Tariff, applicable country-of-origin rules and CBSA administrative guidance when determining whether a specific product is covered.
Where there is uncertainty, businesses should obtain professional customs or trade advice before relying on a classification or origin determination.
Access the guide by clicking here
New Federal tariff support measures
The federal government has also announced a new $7.5 billion package of measures to support Canadian businesses and workers impacted by U.S. tariffs. Here’s a quick overview:
Support for SMEs and liquidity — beginning in September
• An additional $1.5 billion for SMEs through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, with non-repayable contributions of up to $3 million, including up to $2 million for demonstrated liquidity needs.
• A second $500 million BDC liquidity stream through its Pivot to Grow program for businesses directly impacted by tariffs, with loans ranging from $250,000 to $5 million and interest-only payments available for 36 months.
Canada Strong Diversification Fund — effective immediately
• A new $2 billion fund for tariff-impacted businesses with shovel-ready projects, including expanded eligibility for medium-sized businesses and a planned fast-track review and approval process.
Support for workers and employers
• $3.5 billion in Rapid Response Supports for Workers and Employers, including extensions to temporary EI measures and a new Workforce Retention and Retraining Program to help employers retain and retrain workers.
Support for large employers
• Expanded flexibility under the $10 billion Large Enterprise Tariff Loan facility, with liquidity support increasing from 24 to 36 months and maximum loan terms increasing from 10 to 15 years.
Click here to learn more about these measures.
