Canada unveils tariff-response supports for Windsor auto workers

The Honourable Rechie Valdez (Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)) announced federal tariff-response measures to support Windsor auto workers, parts suppliers and OEMs to keep paycheques flowing, help firms manage cash flow, and enable investments to stay competitive.

• Main announcement and program details: The government is introducing a $450 million reskilling package to train 50,000 workers through employer-based training, short courses and career counselling; 20 extra weeks of EI (effective Oct 12, 2025, retroactive to June 15, 2025) for long-tenured workers (up to 65 weeks total) expected to support ~190,000 long-tenured workers; $382 million to launch new workforce alliances and a new Sectoral Workforce Investment Fund; and a $5 billion Strategic Response Fund (SRF) to help impacted firms adapt and invest.

• Business supports, timelines and background: The government is increasing the Regional Tariff Response Initiative from $450 million to $1 billion over three years, expanding non-repayable contributions (up to $1 million for SMEs); increasing BDC maximum SME loan size from $2 million to $5 million and offering flexibilities to the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility (lower interest rates, longer maturities). Windsor–Essex automotive sector context: ~24,000 workers, ~98% of regional automotive firms are SMEs; SRF will target sectors such as automotive, steel, forestry and aluminum.