Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF)

• The applicant must be a for-profit business (legal entity or limited partnership) registered to carry out business in Ontario.
• The business must operate within Ontario and have at least three years of operations/financial statements.
• The business must employ at least 5 full-time equivalent (FTE) active employees.
• The project must address the impacts of U.S. trade disruptions and align with Ontario’s economic priorities, such as building local supply chains or diversifying markets.
• The applicant must demonstrate impacts due to U.S. tariffs, such as operation in a targeted sector, significant exposure to trade risk, or pivoting operations due to tariffs.

Who is eligible?

• For-profit businesses (legal entity or limited partnership) registered in Ontario
• Small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those in sectors affected by U.S. tariffs (such as steel, auto, aluminum)
• Businesses manufacturing products in Ontario

Who is not eligible

• Not-for-profit organizations, associations, and charities
• Sole proprietors
• Retail businesses
• Construction companies providing primary construction services
• Providers of personal services and consulting firms
• Hospitality projects (hotels and restaurants)

Eligible expenses

• Facilities and infrastructure costs.
• Purchase of equipment and machinery.
• One-time labour expenses related to the project.
• Materials necessary for the project.
• Specialized expertise and consulting services.
• Training and talent acquisition costs.
• Permits and fees required for project execution.
• New market access expenses (such as certification, legal, labelling, and testing costs).

Eligible geographic areas

• Businesses operating within Ontario
• Companies located in a community in Ontario during the project period

• Alignment with provincial priorities, such as building local supply chain capacity in Ontario (including reshoring or replacing U.S.-based suppliers).
• Diversification of market reach beyond the U.S., especially expanding revenue streams into new or inter-provincial markets.
• Expansion of manufacturing capacity and investment in new technologies.
• Job creation or retention, including upskilling or training of workforce.
• Extent to which government support enhances project outcomes, scope, or timelines.

• Step 1: Eligibility Self-Assessment
  • Complete the mandatory online self-assessment tool to determine preliminary eligibility.
  • If the self-assessment indicates potential qualification, contact an Ontario Advisor as instructed for a project review. This step is required before proceeding.
• Step 2: Register on Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON)
  • Create an organizational account on TPON, Ontario’s online application system for funding opportunities.
  • Prepare and provide the required business information and official documents (e.g., legal business name, CRA Business Number).
  • Ensure accurate and complete data entry to prevent application delays.
• Step 3: Complete and Submit Application
  • Collaborate with your Ontario Advisor to fill out the application forms and gather all required supplemental information.
  • Submit the completed application and documentation through the TPON online portal.
• Step 4: Access Complementary Supports and Services (Optional, Upon Application Submission)
  • Upon submitting your application, access available advisory services, assistance with compliance approvals, and resources to help secure talent, if required.

• The application intake period begins on April 23, 2025, and operates on a continuous basis while the program is open.
• Applicants must complete a mandatory online self-assessment tool as part of the process prior to applying.
• Registration on the Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON) system is required before submitting an application.
• Complementary advisory services and assistance are available during the project period, regardless of the funding decision.