Prime Minister Carney launches new measures to protect, build, and transform Canadian strategic industries Français
TORONTO, Sept. 5, 2025 /CNW/ - The global trade landscape is rapidly changing, as the United States fundamentally transforms all of its trading relationships. The effect is profound – displacing workers, disrupting supply chains, forcing companies to rethink where they source their materials and products, and causing uncertainty that is curbing investment. Canada has the best deal of any U.S. trading partner – yet we cannot rely on our most important trade relationship as we once did. We must build our strength at home.
Canada's new government is building a new industrial strategy to meet this moment. This will transform our economy – from one of reliance on specific trade partners to one that is more resilient to global shocks, built on the solid foundation of strong Canadian industries, and bolstered by diverse international trade partners.
To these ends, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, today announced a series of new, strategic measures for workers and businesses in those sectors most impacted by U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions. These initiatives will help workers acquire new skills and businesses retool their production and diversify their products, while spurring more domestic demand for Canadian businesses. As we build the economy of the future, we're ensuring workers and industries can bridge to seize its opportunities.
Building on previously announced measures to help transform the Canadian steel and softwood lumber industries, the following new initiatives were announced today:
- A strong, confident workforce: The government will introduce a new reskilling package for up to 50,000 workers, make Employment Insurance more flexible and with extended benefits, and launch a new digital jobs and training platform with private-sector partners to connect Canadians more quickly to careers.
- A new Strategic Response Fund: The government will invest $5 billion through a new fund with flexible terms to help firms in all sectors impacted by tariffs adapt, diversify, and grow, with support provided to industries by new Workforce Alliances to align training and workforce needs.
- A new Buy Canadian Policy: The government will introduce a new policy to ensure the federal government buys from Canadian suppliers, require local content when domestic suppliers are unavailable, extend this approach to all federal funding streams and Crown corporations, and provide a roadmap for provinces and municipalities to apply similar standards to their own procurement.
- Immediate liquidity relief: The government will expand Business Development Bank of Canada loans for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to $5 million, provide more flexible financing through the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility, and give the auto sector flexibility by waiving 2026 model year vehicles from Electric Vehicle Availability Standard requirements and by launching an immediate 60-day review to reduce costs.
- Assisting Canada's canola and agriculture producers: The government will introduce a new biofuel production incentive, with over $370 million for domestic producers to address immediate competitiveness challenges, amend Clean Fuel Regulations to support the domestic biofuels industry, temporarily increase the Advance Payments Program interest-free limit to $500,000 for canola advances, and provide increased funding for the AgriMarketing Program to support diversification into new markets of agricultural products.
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative: The government will expand support to SMEs to $1 billion over three years, with flexible terms, and increase new non-repayable contributions to eligible businesses impacted by tariffs across all affected sectors, including agricultural and seafood.
The full list of measures is available here.
These new measures will help give industries and workers the tools they need to build a better future – one where Canada's economy is less reliant on a single trading partner, built on the solid foundation of a strong Canadian market, robust Canadian demand, and diverse trade partnerships.
To drive that transformation, the government has launched the Major Projects Office to fast-track nation-building projects, and will soon launch Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy, Canada's new Trade Diversification Strategy, and Build Canada Homes, a government entity that will help double the pace of construction over the next decade. As Canada's new government embarks on these missions, we are ensuring Canadian workers and builders have the tools they need to drive this transformation and thrive in it.
With economic uncertainty making it difficult for the private sector to invest, Canada must act now. That's why the government is stepping in with the most comprehensive suite of trade resilience measures in Canadian history. By supporting our workers and industries, we will build Canada strong.
Quotes
"We cannot control what other nations do. We can control what we give ourselves – what we build for ourselves. Canada is building the strongest economy in the G7, one that is less reliant on foreign powers and more resilient in the face of global shocks. In the face of uncertainty around the world, we are ensuring that our workers and businesses will prosper by building Canada's strength at home."
— The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
"Our government understands the uncertainty and concerns many Canadians are feeling as a result of the tariffs imposed by the U.S. That is why we remain committed to continue using every tool at our disposal to support Canadians and Canadian businesses."
— The Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy
"We understand the uncertainty many Canadians are facing due to U.S. tariffs and shifting global trade. That's why our government is taking ambitious, targeted action – investing in the ingenuity of our workers and the resilience of our industries. These measures will ensure businesses have the liquidity to adapt, workers have the skills to lead, and our economy is built to thrive in a more self-reliant, diversified future."
— The Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue
"Canadian industry is the backbone of our country's economy. Our government is investing strategically in our workers and our industries to build the most resilient economy in the G7. Today's announcement is another big step in our mission to build one Canadian economy, strengthen our global competitiveness, and diversify our trade. This is a pivotal moment for all Canadians as we build long-term prosperity in all regions of our country."
— The Hon. Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
"Canadian workers are the foundation of our economic strength. By investing in skills, training, and resources, workers will be ready to adapt to today's challenges and lead in tomorrow's economy. When Canadian workers succeed, all of Canada benefits."
— The Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
"At this pivotal moment, we need to ensure our economy is resilient and self-reliant. Through the new Buy Canadian Policy, we are leveraging our purchasing power to strengthen domestic supply chains and drive prosperity. As we build at a speed not seen in generations, public procurement will spark growth for workers and businesses across Canada."
— The Hon. Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement
"Canadian farmers work tirelessly to produce the best products in the world. Our government stands with them, and we will continue to push for fair market access, boost our competitiveness, and help producers manage the impacts of a changing global trade environment."
— The Hon. Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"Canada's workers are highly skilled and have shown time and again that they can rise to the challenge. The support announced by the government today is designed to help workers receive the targeted support and skills training needed to navigate global trade pressures. We want Canadian workers to know income support is available for them, their families, and their communities."
— The Hon. John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour)
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SOURCE Prime Minister's Office
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