Muskoka Tariff Information Hub – Supporting Businesses and our Community

This platform provides updates, resources and tools to help businesses and the public navigate these challenges. This site will be regularly updated with business support tools, public awareness initiatives, and relevant content to ensure Muskoka businesses remain resilient.

• Looking for solutions? Explore funding, supply chain support and government programs.
• Need Guidance? Use our checklists and quick guides to assess your next steps.
• Have concerns? Share your feedback in our business survey to help us provide the right supports.

We encourage businesses to share their concerns and needs - your input will help us connect you with the right supports, resources and local partners. Click on the "Who's Listening" icon to reach out.

Explore the resources and links below by hovering your mouse over the black bolded and underlined words and clicking on the hyperlinked text to open the webpage.

Latest News Release:

• Ontario Chamber of Commerce - Updates on tariffs from Ontario Chamber, as well as Government of Ontario and Government of Canada
• Department of Finance Canada - Latest news and communications products from Department of Finance Canada.
• Government of Ontario - Ontario Returning Over $2.5 Billion to Workers and Businesses Through Fee Reductions and WSIB Rebates

Funding and Relief Programs:

• Apply for funding relief - Duties Relief Program - This program allows qualified companies to import commercial goods without paying duties, as long as those goods are eventually exported. As part of the program, companies can manufacture or use the commercial goods in a limited manner before exporting.
• Export Development Canada - Trade Impact Program - to help exporters reach new markets and to help companies impacted by non-payments, currency fluctuations, and other tariff impacts.
• Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Financing Assistance - financing programs to support the agriculture and food industry, by helping to address cash flow challenges.
• Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) - Loans - loans to assist businesses directly impacted by the tariff.
• Employment and Social Development Canada - Work-Share Program - Work-sharing special measures to support businesses affected by tariffs.
• Government of Ontario - Labour Force Management Strategies Initiative Funding Program
• Government of Canada - New support for Canadian businesses affected by U.S. Tariffs
• Government of Ontario - Ontario Together Trade Fund
• Government of Canada - Large Enterprise Tariff Loan

Guides, Toolkits and Checklists:

• Toronto Region Board of Trade - Tariff Playbook - guide to navigating tariffs specifically for SME (Small and Medium Sized Enterprises).
  
• Trade Tracker - Tool that helps businesses understand the economic ties between Canada and the U.S. It provides real-time information on trade flows, industry trends, and the potential impact of tariffs.
• Start Up Canada - Tariff Toolkit - Designed to support business owners by providing information resources as well as helpful events and webinars.
• Preparing for Tariff Impacts that go Beyond the Bottom Line - webinar on how tariffs may impact your business in unexpected ways and deliver strategies to consider to help you navigate through uncertainty.

Local Sourcing & Alternative Suppliers:

• Ontario Made Directory and Canada Made Directory - List of products and services made in Ontario and Canada.
• Local business Directories - Search for local businesses through your chamber of commerce membership directories.
• Support our local economy - "Vocal about Local" and "Made in Muskoka"- To spark engagement, Muskoka Tourism Marketing Agency (MTMA) has created social media tiles that businesses and community members can share on social channels and Facebook groups to encourage conversation. If you’d like to use them, you can access the folder through the link here.
• Local Area Municipalities Economic Development Offices
• Local Area Chambers of Commerce

Expert and Peer Supports:

• Trade Commissioner Service- Contact an Export Advisor - Get free consultations through the Trade Commissioner Service+
  • Supporting Canadian exporters through United States tariff challenges
  • Understanding CUSMA/USMCA compliance
  • Self-serve resources for problem solving
  • The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) established a dedicated support phone line 1-833-760-1167 for small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs), delivered by Service Canada. The phone line aims to provide callers with information on becoming CUSMA-compliant, answering common questions related to the CUSMA rules of origin and exporter eligibility.
• Global Affairs Canada - Tariff and duty information, sanctions, export and import controls and other rules that affect Canadian traders.
• Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters - Canada's largest trade and industry association which represents manufacturers and exporters.
• Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses - Non-profit organization that advocates for small businesses in Canada.
• Export Development Canada Webinar - Diversify your global markets to hedge against risk - Thursday April 18, 2025

Your input matters!

Please consider completing a short survey below to help identify key challenges so that we may continue to provide the right resources, tools and supports to navigate the evolving tariff situation.

Together, we can strengthen Muskoka's economic resilience - share your insights today!