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Protect Ontario Financing Program
Financial support for Ontario businesses facing tariff-related challenges
Last Update: June 8, 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 facing working capital challenges due to U.S. s.232 tariffs. It helps cover essential operating costs such as payroll, lease payments, and utility payments for eligible for-profit companies.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Access new markets
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- 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.
Official resources
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
Selection criteria
- Applicant's ability to meet the loan repayment conditions.
- Quality of the financial guarantee provided to the province.
- Due diligence by a third party to assess the application.
How to apply
- Step 1: Complete the short eligibility questionnaire
- Fill out the online questionnaire to assess preliminary eligibility for the program.
- Step 2: Wait for program follow-up
- If you meet the preliminary requirements, the program will contact you to discuss the application process and next steps.
- Step 3: Undergo assessment
- Eligible Ontario businesses will go through a third-party assessment and due diligence review.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are first screened through a short eligibility questionnaire.
- Eligible applicants are then contacted to discuss the application process and next steps.
- Applications go through a rigorous third-party assessment and due diligence review.
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
Frequently Asked Questions about the Protect Ontario Financing Program Program
What is the Protect Ontario Financing Program?
The Protect Ontario Financing Program offers term loans starting at $250,000 to support Ontario businesses facing working capital challenges due to U.S. s.232 tariffs. It helps cover essential operating costs such as payroll, lease payments, and utility payments for eligible for-profit companies.
How much funding can be received?
Protect Ontario Financing Program Funds up to $250,000 of admissible expenses.
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 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