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Protect Ontario Financing Program - Ontario - Canada
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Protect Ontario Financing Program

Financial support for Ontario businesses facing tariff-related challenges
Government of Ontario (ON)
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 250,000
Timeline
  • Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada

Overview

The Protect Ontario Financing Program offers term loans starting at $250,000 to support Ontario businesses in the steel, aluminum, and auto sectors facing working capital challenges due to U.S. s.232 tariffs. The program aims to cover essential business expenses such as payroll, leases, and utilities for eligible for-profit companies.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Access new markets
Eligible Funding
  • Minimum amount : 250,000 $
Timeline
  • Open continuously

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • Manufacturing
Location
  • Ontario
Legal structures
  • For-profit business
Annual revenue
  • $ 2,000,000 minimum revenue
Organisation size
  • 10 employees minimum
Audience
  • Canadians

Next steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Supporting Ontario businesses facing working capital challenges due to s.232 U.S. tariffs in the steel, aluminum, and auto sectors.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • For-profit businesses operating in Ontario
  • Companies in the steel sector affected by s.232 tariffs
  • Companies in the aluminum sector affected by s.232 tariffs
  • Companies in the automotive sector affected by s.232 tariffs

Who is not eligible

  • Not-for-profit organizations, associations, or charities.
  • Start-ups (companies in early stages without a track record of sales or operations).
  • Companies applying for non-working capital costs (such as property or equipment purchases).
  • Businesses seeking to refinance existing business loans.
  • Companies applying for funding related to acquisitions, buyouts, or relocations (including within Ontario).

Eligible expenses

  • Payroll expenses
  • Lease payments
  • Utility payments

Eligible geographic areas

  • Ontario

Additional information

  • Eligible businesses must demonstrate that they have explored and exhausted or encountered significant barriers in accessing federal financial support for working capital.
  • Loan prepayment is allowed without penalty.
  • Combining funding with previously approved provincial support is permitted only for existing projects, not new ones.
  • All applications undergo a rigorous assessment and due diligence process by a third-party evaluator.

Contacts

pofp@ontario.ca

Frequently Asked Questions about the Protect Ontario Financing Program Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Protect Ontario Financing Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Protect Ontario Financing Program?

The Protect Ontario Financing Program offers term loans starting at $250,000 to support Ontario businesses in the steel, aluminum, and auto sectors facing working capital challenges due to U.S. s.232 tariffs. The program aims to cover essential business expenses such as payroll, leases, and utilities for eligible for-profit companies.

Who is eligible for the Protect Ontario Financing Program program?

To be eligible for the Protect Ontario Financing Program program, you must: For-profit business registered in Ontario Operate in steel, aluminum, or auto sectors affected by s.232 tariffs Minimum $2 million annual revenue and at least 10 full-time employees in Ontario

What expenses are eligible under Protect Ontario Financing Program?

Supporting Ontario businesses facing working capital challenges due to s.232 U.S. tariffs in the steel, aluminum, and auto sectors.

Who can I contact for more information about the Protect Ontario Financing Program?

You can contact Government of Ontario (ON) by email at pofp@ontario.ca.

Where is the Protect Ontario Financing Program available?

The Protect Ontario Financing Program program is available the province of Ontario.

Is the Protect Ontario Financing Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Protect Ontario Financing Program is a Loans and Capital investments

Who are the financial supporters of the Protect Ontario Financing Program?

Protect Ontario Financing Program is funded by Government of Ontario (ON)

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