Ontario Investing $1.5 Million to Protect Workers in Northwestern Ontario from U.S. Tariffs
Provincial funding will protect local jobs and support economic growth through the launch of the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre’s Boreal Springboard Program News Release | October 8th, 2026
Thunder Bay — The Ontario government is investing $1.5 million through the Trade-Impacted Communities Program (TICP) to support the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre’s Boreal Springboard program. The project will help accelerate the commercialization of forestry-related technologies and manufacturing opportunities while attracting new companies and investment to Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.
Delivered by the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre, the Boreal Springboard project offers the Accelerator and Soft-Landing programs, two pathways for businesses looking to grow in the region’s forest sector. The initiative will help entrepreneurs and established companies access business development support, mentorship, technical resources and connections to industry and new markets.
This investment was announced today by Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay – Atikokan and Minister of Forestry and Forest Products. In the face of economic uncertainty, the $40 million TICP initiative is a tactical tool launched by the government of Ontario last year to protect good-paying jobs and build resilient, self-reliant communities across the province.
“Northwestern Ontario’s forest sector is a major economic driver, supported by skilled workers, innovative businesses and a strong manufacturing base,” said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay–Atikokan and Minister of Forestry and Forest Products. “Through our government’s Trade-Impacted Communities Program, we are helping forestry and wood-product businesses respond to the impacts of U.S. tariffs, attract new investment and pursue new opportunities that strengthen our local supply chains and grow Northwestern Ontario’s forest sector.”
In response to U.S. tariffs and ongoing global trade uncertainty, the $2.15 million Boreal Springboard project will build on the region’s existing forestry expertise and industrial strengths to support new business development and economic diversification. With $1.5 million in provincial funding, the project will help new and existing companies develop value-added forest products and technologies, access new markets and pursue investment opportunities that support long-term growth in Northwestern Ontario.
Through the Accelerator, selected entrepreneurs and teams who are developing a forest-based business in Northwestern Ontario can now access up to $40,000 in support. Participants also receive hands-on business development support, mentorship, product development support, and curated access to industry and market opportunities.
The Soft-Landing stream is designed for established companies from outside the region looking to harness our region’s natural advantages with forest resources, expertise, trade infrastructure or supply chains, and scale their businesses in Northwestern Ontario.
Eligible businesses receive hands-on support in navigating the region’s robust forest-sector ecosystem and planning their investments.
“Our region is a world-class investment jurisdiction with so many assets beyond just our forest resources and our access to market,” said Graham Bracken, Project Coordinator for Boreal Springboard. “Support from our program partners and from the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade equips us to root businesses within a strong innovation ecosystem and position them for growth in a robust and dynamic sector for the future.”
First announced as part of the province’s nearly $30 billion tariff relief and support plan, the TICP is dedicated to projects aimed at strengthening economic resilience and competitiveness across industries and communities disproportionately impacted by global trade disruptions. The program also supports the diversification of supply chains across Ontario’s priority sectors, while increasing export and investment opportunities to reduce reliance on U.S. markets.
“As U.S. tariffs continue to impact key sectors across Ontario, our government is taking decisive action to ensure regional communities have the tools needed to withstand economic pressure and secure new, long-term investments,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Through the Trade-Impacted Communities Program, we are proud to support the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre’s Boreal Springboard program, which will support local workers and strengthen domestic supply chains, while unlocking new trade and export partnerships.
As Ontario continues to navigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs and global economic uncertainty, the government remains focused on delivering critical funding, cutting red tape, and positioning local economies to be more competitive, resilient, and investment-ready across priority sectors.
Quotes
“Boreal Springboard is creating new opportunities for forest-based companies to develop and grow in our region. The CEDC is proud to be a partner on this important initiative, supporting the economic growth of our forestry eco-system” - said Jamie Taylor, CEO, Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC).
“Boreal Springboard fills an important niche in the growth of Northwestern Ontario’s forest sector by providing critical support for companies looking to invest in the region. CRIBE is proud to be a part of this first-in-kind forestry-specific initiative in Canada” - said Scott Jackson, CEO, Centre for Research & Innovation in the Bioeconomy
Quick Facts
The Trade-Impacted Communities Program is part of Ontario’s broader strategy to support tariff-impacted communities, which focuses on ensuring long-term economic stability and growth while reshoring and strengthening supply chains.
Open to municipal governments, economic development organizations, sector and industry associations, business accelerators, and incubators, TICP funds community-level projects that build economic resilience, diversify supply chains, and foster new trade partnerships in response to U.S. trade disruptions.
The program works in tandem with the Ontario Together Trade Fund, the Protect Ontario Financing Program and the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit.
