Government of Canada to help Greater Toronto Area businesses and organizations build resilience
News release
FedDev Ontario invests nearly $26 million to help over 30 businesses and organizations create new opportunities for growth
October 2, 2026 - Brampton, Ontario
The Greater Toronto Area is one of Canada's most important economic engines, with thousands of innovative businesses and skilled workers driving growth, advancing new technologies, and strengthening Canada's competitiveness at home and abroad. In the face of ongoing tariff pressures and trade uncertainty, the Government of Canada is supporting companies as they invest in new technologies, increase production capabilities, and strengthen Canada's economic resilience.
Today, the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), joined by the Honourable Shafqat Ali, President of the Treasury Board of Canada and Member of Parliament representing Brampton—Chinguacousy Park, announced nearly $26 million, to support the growth of 31 businesses and organizations across the Greater Toronto Area.
The investments, through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), will help recipients adopt new technologies, increase production, strengthen supply chains and diversify into new markets. A complete list of recipients and project details is available in the backgrounder.
As part of this announcement, Daybar Industries Limited, a Brampton-based manufacturer of commercial and industrial steel doors and frames, is undertaking a more than $12-million project, with FedDev Ontario providing $700,000 to strengthen the company’s competitiveness by expanding product capacity and diversifying into new markets.
The Government of Canada is investing an additional $1.5 billion in the RTRI, delivered by Canada's regional development agencies, to help businesses respond to tariff pressures. The enhanced initiative provides increased support to help businesses address liquidity pressures, strengthen competitiveness, diversify into new markets, and build resilience in an evolving global economy.
The Government of Canada is committed to helping Canadian businesses and workers thrive by supporting growth, boosting competitiveness, creating quality jobs, and building a stronger, more resilient economy.
Quotes
“Tariffs are putting real pressure on businesses and workers across the Greater Toronto Area. We are helping 31 local companies and organizations invest in Canadian production, become more competitive and reach new customers. This is about protecting good jobs today, while building businesses that can compete and win in a changing global economy.”
- The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“Strong local businesses are at the heart of building strong communities. This investment will help businesses in Brampton and across the Greater Toronto Area grow, create good-paying jobs, and open up more opportunities for people and families. By supporting our local businesses and organizations, we are investing in the continued strength and prosperity of our communities.”
- The Honourable Shafqat Ali, President of the Treasury Board of Canada and Member of Parliament representing Brampton—Chinguacousy Park
“Funding through RTRI is essential to keeping Canadian manufacturers competitive. It helps businesses like Daybar to continue delivering high-quality products and services while creating opportunities for growth and long-term success for employees and their families. We are extremely grateful to the Government of Canada and FedDev Ontario for their support.”
- Mark Dodson, President, Daybar Industries Ltd.
Quick facts
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The 31 businesses and organizations receiving support are: APS Metal Industries Inc., Axiom Plastics Inc., Barocco Coffee Co. Ltd., Brannon Steel, Brentwood Classics Limited, Canada Smoked Fish Co. Inc., Cesaroni Technology Inc., Dascan Industrial Controls, Daybar Industries Limited, Dieform Automation, Dy-Tech Inc., Exco Engineering, Feature Foods International Inc., Future Steel Buildings Intl. Corp., ICON Digital Productions Inc., Indigenous Tourism Association of Ontario, MAS Precision Parts, Maxxit Systems Inc., Metelix Products Inc., Nelson Industrial Inc., OFGO Studio, Oxygen8 Solutions Inc., PakFactory Inc., Pulp Moulded Products Inc., Qualified Metal Fabricators Ltd., Ranfar Steel Ltd., Rapid Aid Corp., Ricci Food Group, Sierra Custom Foods Ltd., SinaLite, and Technical Steel Corp.
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On August 25, 2026, the Government of Canada announced a $7.5-billion package of new and enhanced measures to support Canadian workers and businesses. The package included an additional $1.5 billion for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, bringing the total investment delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies to $3.45 billion nationally.
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Eligible businesses may access up to $3 million in combined non-repayable funding, including up to $2 million for demonstrated liquidity needs and up to $1 million for a pivot project. Repayable support remains available for larger-scale transformative projects, as well as for not-for-profit organizations in southern Ontario whose primary focus is to support businesses; not-for-profit organizations are not eligible for liquidity support.
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The package also includes a $2-billion Canada Strong Diversification Fund, $500 million in new BDC liquidity support, $3.5 billion in Rapid Response Supports for Workers and Employers, and new flexibilities under the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan facility.
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FedDev Ontario is working to ensure businesses, organizations and communities across southern Ontario have the support they need to grow and compete. To learn more about our programming, please visit our funding page and explore our impact stories to learn more about some of FedDev Ontario's funding recipients.
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Founded in 1965, Daybar Industries Limited manufactures commercial and industrial steel doors and frames for the construction sector across North America.
Associated links
Contacts
Leela Polushin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
leela.polushin@ised-isde.gc.ca
343-543-5391
Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
media@feddevontario.gc.ca
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